088 - The Real Reason Diets Don’t Work Long Term

Burnout, confusion, dieting culture, and conflicting nutrition advice collide long before most people realize something isn’t working. In this episode of The Health Movement Podcast, we break down why so many diets fail — and what sustainable health actually looks like.In this conversation, Derek sits down with Marissa Dankosky, registered dietitian and nutrition consultant at Foodsmart, to talk about metabolism, fasting, food insecurity, heart health, and the emotional side of weight loss. Marissa shares how growing up in a health-focused household shaped her career, why carbohydrates are often misunderstood, and why extreme dieting strategies rarely create long-term success.This episode explores the science behind intermittent fasting, the truth about metabolism “damage,” why consistency beats restriction, and how small, realistic goals create lasting change. Marissa also discusses the real-world challenges many families face — including rising grocery costs — and how to build balanced meals without overcomplicating nutrition.If you’ve ever felt frustrated by dieting, confused by food trends, or unsure what actually works long term, this conversation offers clarity without extremes.VIDEO CHAPTERS00:00 – Introduction & Marissa’s Background From athlete to registered dietitian01:04 – Fueling Performance with Food How early sports shaped her nutrition philosophy05:15 – What Is Foodsmart? Virtual nutrition counseling and Medicaid access06:45 – Intermittent Fasting & Weight Loss What the research actually shows08:10 – Can Fasting Slow Your Metabolism? Survival biology and sustainability09:00 – Men vs. Women & Fasting What the research says10:05 – The Old Food Pyramid vs. MyPlate Why carbohydrates still matter13:30 – The New Food Guidelines Whole foods, butter, dairy, and heart health19:30 – Food Insecurity & Rising Grocery Costs How to eat healthy on a budget22:30 – Meal Prepping & Planning Reducing food waste and improving consistency23:30 – Weight Loss Frustration Why most diets fail long term29:25 – Small Goals & Sustainable Change Building habits that actually stickTo Connect with Marissa Dankosky:• Foodsmart email: [email protected] • LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-dankosky-ms-rdn-88708b160/Watch the full episode — youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcastJoin the newsletter — https://healthmovement.usFollow Derek on IG: https://www.instagram.com/derek.josephs/