Why does weight so often come back after dieting? And what if the answer isn’t simply eating less, cutting carbs, or having more willpower?
In this conversation, Les sits down with health coach and metabolic health educator Jay Feldman to explore a different way of thinking about weight loss, metabolism, carbohydrates, gut health, and our relationship with food.
Jay explains why losing weight through restriction isn’t necessarily the same as improving metabolic health, and why the body may resist weight loss when it perceives a lack of energy, nutrients, sleep, or other resources. They discuss what can happen when you reintroduce carbohydrates after a period of low-carb eating, why some initial weight gain may not be body fat, and how supporting energy production and metabolic function may change the way the body regulates weight over time.The conversation also goes deep into gut health and carbohydrate tolerance. Why can a food that is considered “healthy” leave one person feeling energized and another bloated and uncomfortable?
Jay shares his perspective on digestion, the microbiome, endotoxin, FODMAPs, fiber, probiotics, fermented foods, constipation, and how gut function may influence metabolic health. Finally, Les and Jay tackle a question that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough: if carbohydrates can support energy and metabolic function, how do we reconcile that with concerns about sugar, cavities, and dental health?
**In this episode:**
Why weight regain isn’t necessarily a failure of willpower
• What happens when you add carbohydrates back after low-carb eating
• Glycogen, water weight, and why the scale can initially jump• The relationship between energy availability and weight regulation
• Why chronic restriction can affect energy, mood, sleep, libido, and digestion
• How Jay thinks about creating a healthier metabolic “set point”
• Carbohydrates vs. fat and how the body uses different fuels• Why carbohydrate quality and digestibility matter
• Insulin resistance and carbohydrate tolerance• Gut health, inflammation, and metabolic function
• What endotoxin is and why Jay believes it matters
• FODMAPs, fiber, starch, fruit, and choosing easier-to-digest carbohydrates
• SIBO, gut motility, and constipation
• Why probiotics and fermented foods aren’t automatically beneficial for everyone
• How to approach rebuilding gut health without endlessly restricting foods
• Sugar, carbohydrates, cavities, and dental health
• Supporting the body rather than constantly fighting it with another dietThis conversation offers a more nuanced way to think about nutrition.
Rather than asking only, “What should I eliminate?” Jay encourages us to pay attention to how well the body is actually functioning, how food affects energy and digestion, and what may be getting in the way of using fuel efficiently.
**Learn more from Jay Feldman**
jayfeldmanwellness.com/guide
Listen to Jay Feldman and Mike Fave on The Energy Balance Podcast for deeper explorations of metabolism, nutrition, hormones, gut health, and bioenergetic health
.*This conversation is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or nutritional advice. Some of the ideas discussed reflect the guest’s perspective and interpretation of the available research. Please consult an appropriate healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs.
#Metabolism #WeightLoss #GutHealth #Carbohydrates #Nutrition #MetabolicHealth #JayFeldman #TheMindfulMovement
Themindfulmovement.com
Thanks so much for all of your support!
With gratitude,
Les and Sara
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