Episode #746: This is the REASON You Aren’t Burning Fat – With Dr Jason Fung!

In this episode of the Functional Nutrition Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Jason Fung, bestselling author of The Hunger Code, to explore the deeper reasons behind hunger, cravings, weight gain, and why traditional approaches to fat loss often fail.

Why Hunger, Not Calories, May Be The Missing Piece

Your body is constantly regulating itself through hormones, including insulin, cortisol, and hunger signals that influence whether you store fat or burn it for energy.

Dr. Fung explains the concept of the “fat thermostat” and how certain hormonal signals can raise or lower the body’s preferred fat level.

You’ll discover why simply restricting calories can leave you fighting against your own biology — and why addressing the drivers of hunger may be the key to creating lasting change.

How Processed Foods Impact Fat Burning

Not all calories affect the body the same way.

Dr. Fung breaks down how ultra-processed foods can influence hunger hormones, cravings, and eating behavior, even when the calorie count looks similar.

From insulin spikes to reduced satiety, this conversation explores why food quality, protein intake, and blood sugar balance play such an important role in supporting your metabolism.

Building A Better Approach To Sustainable Fat Loss

Dr. Fung and I discuss practical strategies to support healthier hormones, including intermittent fasting, eating more protein, reducing refined carbohydrates, and improving lifestyle factors that impact hunger.

If you’ve struggled with stubborn weight, constant cravings, or feeling like your body is working against you, this episode will help you understand what may be happening beneath the surface.

• • 00:00 Processed Food Obesity Gap
  • 00:31 Show Intro And Guest
  • 05:16 Interview Setup Hunger Code
  • 06:01 Beyond Calories Three Whys
  • 10:52 Three Hungers Explained
  • 13:17 Fat Thermostat Homeostasis
  • 16:34 Hormones Insulin Cortisol GLP1
  • 23:06 Personalized Root Cause Plan
  • 24:40 Food Hormones Steak Vs Frappuccino
  • 26:25 Blood Sugar Crash Story
  • 27:10 Fix Foods Not Calories
  • 27:45 Hormones Over Calories
  • 29:26 Insulin Friendly Eating
  • 30:04 Hedonic Hunger Explained
  • 30:56 Ultra Processed Satiety Trap
  • 33:06 Food Addiction Framework
  • 37:40 Processing Spikes And Cravings
  • 40:10 Ultra Processed Diet Study
  • 45:26 Hunger Not Calories Lesson
  • 48:03 Fasting And Fat Thermostat
  • 52:55 Actionable Rules And Social Hunger
  • 55:06 Wrap Up And Where To Learn More

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