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Caffeine and Athletic Performance: What the Science Says
Caffeine is the world's most consumed psychoactive substance — and the most researched performance-enhancing compound in sports science. In this episode of Your Diet Sucks, Zoë Rom and Kylee Van Horn, RDN dig into how caffeine actually works, what the evidence says about endurance performance, sleep, hormones, and anxiety, and why both the wellness industry's fear-mongering and the pre-workout industry's escalation arms race are getting it wrong. From the history of coffee houses to the 1904 Olympic Marathon to dry scooping and adrenal fatigue myths — we cover it all.
How Diet Culture Hijacked Religion
What happens when churches become vectors for diet culture? Zoë, Kylee, and RDN Leslie Schilling trace the history of faith, food, and body shame.
Whole30 Diet Review: Science, Money, and the Food Freedom Myth
Whole30 has sold millions of books, built a coaching empire, and partnered with Chipotle and Walmart, all without a single peer-reviewed clinical trial. We traced the origin story, checked the citations, followed the money, and examined the loaded vocabulary that turns physiological distress into cute milestones.
Why is Everyone Obsessed With Intermittent Fasting?
Intermittent fasting is the most Googled diet-related term on the planet, except everyone who does it will tell you it's not a diet. We trace IF from ancient monks to Silicon Valley CEOs and ask what the science actually supports.
The Science of Diet and Inflammation
The wellness industry has convinced us that inflammation is the root of all evil, from brain fog to bad hair days. But what does the science actually say? We break down acute vs. chronic inflammation, why athletes shouldn't fear the inflammatory response to training, and which anti-inflammatory claims are legit (spoiler: not many). Plus: the cultural history of how we got from Mediterranean diet research to seed oil panic.
The Vegetarian Diet: What Athletes Need to Know | Your Diet Sucks
Can you build muscle and train hard on a vegetarian diet? We break down protein needs, iron, B12, and the surprising link between plant-based eating and orthorexia.
Men and Boys: Men, Masculinity, Body Image and Eating Disorders in Male Athletes
Men make up 25% of eating disorder cases but only 10% of those in treatment. In this episode, we're joined by elite endurance athletes Sean Van Horn and TJ David to explore how diet culture, the manosphere, and the pursuit of performance create a perfect storm for disordered eating in men. From G.I. Joe's impossible biceps to the "stay hard" mentality, we trace the cultural forces pushing men toward body obsession, and why the fitness industry's vocabulary makes it so easy to hide.
The Science of New Year's Resolutions (And Why 91% Fail)
Why do 91% of New Year's resolutions fail? Zoe and Kylee explore the 4,000-year history and neuroscience of habit change - plus what actually works.
Do Detoxes Work? The Science Behind Cleanses, Toxins & Juice Fasts
Do juice cleanses actually detox your body? What does your liver really do? We debunk detox diets, cleanses, and the wellness industry's favorite myth: that your body is full of toxins.
Do Collagen Supplements Work? The Science of Beauty Supplements
Do collagen supplements actually work? What about biotin for hair growth, or greens powders for glowing skin? The beauty supplement industry is worth $70 billion, and it's built on a foundation of insecurity, pseudoscience, and promises your liver already keeps for free.