Why 'A Calorie Is a Calorie' Is Wrong

Episode 2786 - Vinnie Tortorich speaks with return guest Dr. Jason Fung about managing hunger signals, the effects of GLP-1s, and more. https://vinnietortorich.com/2026/04/hunger-signals-dr-jason-fung-episode-2786 PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS Pure Vitamin Club Pure Coffee Club NSNG® Foods VILLA CAPPELLI EAT HAPPY KITCHEN YOU CAN WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE - @FitnessConfidential Podcast Vinnie's workout videos are available to purchase! Choose from a 2-day, 4-day, or 6-day workout–or buy all three at a discount! TO PURCHASE VINNIE'S WORKOUT VIDEOS, CLICK THIS LINK: https://vinnietortorich.com/workout Hunger Signals Dr. Jason Fung is a highly respected nephrologist and is the author of: His new book The Hunger Code: https://amzn.to/4bQgWD1 The Obesity Code : https://amzn.to/4uVxvX1 "A calorie is a calorie" is not correct. The quality of calories matters to your health. (8:00) What you eat determines what your body does. (11:15) There is a limit to how much you should eat, however. (12:00) Natural foods trigger satiety; ultra-processed foods mess with the body's natural signaling hormones. There are three types of hunger: homeostatic (physical), hedonic (emotional), and conditioned (social). (17:00) Food companies, over the years, have developed ways to keep you eating, even when your body isn't truly hungry. (27:00) Many foods trigger a conditioned response. The term "food noise" is all over the place. Once you get your hormones working properly through low-carb, "food noise" goes away. (31:00) The process isn't overnight, but it will happen. Dr. Fung offers his thoughts on "food noise." (33:00) So much of our eating today is driven by conditioned responses and activities paired with food. GLP1s Are Not Magic GLP-1 naturally occurs in the body, and certain foods like protein and fiber will trigger it properly in your body. But the medical doses administered pharmacologically are massive and squelch all hunger signals. The biggest problem with exogenous GLP-1s is the loss of your body's ability to learn and respond to proper hunger signals. (36:30) Another issue is that it can also dull *everything* else in life, too. (40:00) They are a tool, not a magic bullet. Oftentimes, when a person stops the drug, they often gain even more fat than before. (42:00) There is, of course, the concern of muscle loss as well. If you are already fighting sarcopenia and add GLP-1s, there could be serious issues to follow. (43:00) Vinnie discusses "eating through" both bariatric surgery and now the GLP-1 meds. (46:00) These drugs can be effective, but there is always a cost. They discuss the transition Weight Watchers made when it entered the GLP-1 market. (54:00) They discuss other peptides and whether or not they are beneficial. (57:00) They discuss other "miracle cure" trends. What you *can* do is trust real food! (1:02:00) You can find Dr. Fung on YouTube @DrJasonFung https://www.youtube.com/drjasonfung He is also on Instagram and X at @drjasonfung The NSNG® VIP GROUP IS NOW CLOSED AGAIN AS OF SUNDAY, MARCH 15TH A New Sponsor Jaspr Air Scrubbers has a discount code, VINNIE, that gets you $300 off for a limited time. Jaspr offers a lifetime warranty. Go to Jaspr.co for more information or to purchase. (1:05:00) You can book a consultation with Vinnie to get guidance on your goals. https://vinnietortorich.com/phone-consultation-2/ More News Serena has added some of her clothing suggestions and beauty product suggestions to Vinnie's Amazon Recommended Products link. Self Care, Beauty, and Grooming Products that Actually Work! https://www.amazon.com/shop/vinnietortorich/list/3GPVU29UHHPMY?ref_=aipsflist Don't forget to check out Serena Scott Thomas on Days of Our Lives on the Peacock channel. "Dirty Keto" is available on Amazon! 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