729: Why Counting Calories Doesn’t Work (And What Actually Controls Hunger) with Dr. Jason Fung episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 17, 2026 · 56 MIN

729: Why Counting Calories Doesn’t Work (And What Actually Controls Hunger) with Dr. Jason Fung

from Energized with Dr. Mariza · host Dr. Mariza Snyder

There’s SO much more to a healthy diet than calories in vs. calories out.  That’s why in today’s episode, I’m joined by renowned physician and metabolic health expert Dr. Jason Fung to unpack the science of hunger and why we’ve totally dropped the ball on healthy eating habits in today’s society.  We dive into the concept of food noise and explore the different types of hunger—especially the environmental and conditioned cues that are quietly driving your eating habits.  Dr. Fung explains how awareness of these triggers can be a powerful first step in shifting your relationship with food so you can feel healthier than ever before.  Drawing from insights in his book The Hunger Code, he shares practical strategies to help you identify your triggers and regain control over your appetite. Tune in here for some empowering tools to feel confident and amazing in your body again!  Dr. Jason Fung  Dr. Jason Fung is a physician, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author currently practicing in Toronto. His books, including The Obesity Code, The Complete Guide to Fasting, The Diabetes Code, and The Cancer Code, challenge conventional thinking and offer loads of dietary strategies to improve overall health. He’s the co-founder of The Fasting Method, which provides the education, tools, and community needed to successfully implement intermittent fasting. He’s also the medical director of The Diabetes Code Clinic in Toronto, focused on type 2 diabetes remission. IN THIS EPISODE The importance of focusing on your hunger over calorie counting  Breaking our conditioned responses to eating  Looking at the social context and environmental factors for hunger What’s really triggering your hunger cues  Best tips for avoiding ultra-processed foods  Dr. Fung’s 3 golden rules of weight loss  Lifestyle choices that can make a drastic impact on your weight Understanding hedonic hunger and other important topics found in Dr. Fung’s book: The Hunger Code QUOTES “You can only take care of the problem if you understand the problem. So once you understand ‘this food noise, it's this conditioned hunger’, now you can actually come up with a plan so that [you’re] prepared for this.” “It's really a game changer in that it will hopefully really broaden people's perspective on the key issues. I have the three golden rules, but there's like 50 weight loss tips because everybody's different.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Order Dr. Fung’s book: The Hunger Code HERE– and get a FREE gift with your pre-order! https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer https://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Code-Resetting-Thermostat-Ultra-Processed-ebook The Fasting Method Dr. Fung on Instagram RELATED EPISODES  708: Calories Aren’t the Problem: What Midlife Women Really Need to Know About Fat Loss with Brian Keane 698: Food Noise, Cravings, and Midlife Weight Gain: How to Regain Control Naturally with Sarah Kennedy 696: Why Diets Stop Working in Midlife—and What Actually Helps Instead with Lara Frendjian 682: The Simple Daily Habit That Balances Blood Sugar, Boosts Energy & Extends Longevity #613: Effective Tools for Curbing Your Appetite in Midlife and Optimizing Your Blood Sugar with Nagina Sethi Abdullah

There’s SO much more to a healthy diet than calories in vs. calories out.  That’s why in today’s episode, I’m joined by renowned physician and metabolic health expert Dr. Jason Fung to unpack the science of hunger and why we’ve totally dropped the ball on healthy eating habits in today’s society.  We dive into the concept of food noise and explore the different types of hunger—especially the environmental and conditioned cues that are quietly driving your eating habits.  Dr. Fung explains how awareness of these triggers can be a powerful first step in shifting your relationship with food so you can feel healthier than ever before.  Drawing from insights in his book The Hunger Code, he shares practical strategies to help you identify your triggers and regain control over your appetite. Tune in here for some empowering tools to feel confident and amazing in your body again!  Dr. Jason Fung  Dr. Jason Fung is a physician, researcher, and New York Times best-selling author currently practicing in Toronto. His books, including The Obesity Code, The Complete Guide to Fasting, The Diabetes Code, and The Cancer Code, challenge conventional thinking and offer loads of dietary strategies to improve overall health. He’s the co-founder of The Fasting Method, which provides the education, tools, and community needed to successfully implement intermittent fasting. He’s also the medical director of The Diabetes Code Clinic in Toronto, focused on type 2 diabetes remission. IN THIS EPISODE The importance of focusing on your hunger over calorie counting  Breaking our conditioned responses to eating  Looking at the social context and environmental factors for hunger What’s really triggering your hunger cues  Best tips for avoiding ultra-processed foods  Dr. Fung’s 3 golden rules of weight loss  Lifestyle choices that can make a drastic impact on your weight Understanding hedonic hunger and other important topics found in Dr. Fung’s book: The Hunger Code QUOTES “You can only take care of the problem if you understand the problem. So once you understand ‘this food noise, it's this conditioned hunger’, now you can actually come up with a plan so that [you’re] prepared for this.” “It's really a game changer in that it will hopefully really broaden people's perspective on the key issues. I have the three golden rules, but there's like 50 weight loss tips because everybody's different.” RESOURCES MENTIONED Order my new book: The Perimenopause Revolution https://peri-revolution.com/ Order Dr. Fung’s book: The Hunger Code HERE– and get a FREE gift with your pre-order! https://www.doctorjasonfung.com/gift-with-purchase-offer https://www.amazon.com/Hunger-Code-Resetting-Thermostat-Ultra-Processed-ebook The Fasting Method Dr. Fung on Instagram RELATED EPISODES  708: Calories Aren’t the Problem: What Midlife Women Really Need to Know About Fat Loss with Brian Keane 698: Food Noise, Cravings, and Midlife Weight Gain: How to Regain Control Naturally with Sarah Kennedy 696: Why Diets Stop Working in Midlife—and What Actually Helps Instead with Lara Frendjian 682: The Simple Daily Habit That Balances Blood Sugar, Boosts Energy & Extends Longevity #613: Effective Tools for Curbing Your Appetite in Midlife and Optimizing Your Blood Sugar with Nagina Sethi Abdullah

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729: Why Counting Calories Doesn’t Work (And What Actually Controls Hunger) with Dr. Jason Fung

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This episode was published on March 17, 2026.

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There’s SO much more to a healthy diet than calories in vs. calories out.  That’s why in today’s episode, I’m joined by renowned physician and metabolic health expert Dr. Jason Fung to unpack the science of hunger and why we’ve totally dropped the...

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