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Fork U with Dr. Terry SimpsonLearn more about what you put in your mouth. Author: Terry Simpson
Fork U(niversity) Not everything you put in your mouth is good for you. Theres a lot of medical information thrown around out there. How are you to know what information you can trust, and whats just plain old quackery? You cant rely on your own google fu. You cant count on quality medical advice from Facebook. You need a doctor in your corner. On each episode of Your Doctors Orders, Dr. Terry Simpson will cut through the clutter and noise that always seems to follow the latest medical news. He has the unique perspective of a surgeon who has spent years doing molecular virology research and as a skeptic with academic credentials. Hell help you develop the critical thinking skills so you can recognize evidence-based medicine, busting myths along the way. The most common medical myths are often disguised as seemingly harmless food as medicine. By offering their own brand of medicine via foods, These hucksters are trying to practice medicine without a license. And though theyll claim nutrition is not taught in medical schools, it turns out thats a myth too. In fact, theres an entire medical subspecialty called Culinary Medicine, and Dr. Simpson is certified as a Culinary Medicine Specialist. Where today's nutritional advice is the realm of hucksters, Dr. Simpson is taking it back to the realm of science. Language: en Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Nutrition Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Food Pyramid Blues: Influencers are not Scientists
Episode 111
Wednesday, 14 January, 2026
When Influencers Replace Scientists, Everyone LosesEvery few years, nutrition gets a makeover.First comes a new graphic.Then comes a new slogan.Soon after, we hear claims that this time, someone finally figured it all out.Recently, that makeover arrived in the form of a “reverse food pyramid” and the cheerful phrase “Eat Real Food.” On the surface, that message sounds reasonable. In fact, many doctors have said the same thing for decades.However, the real problem isn’t the slogan.Instead, the problem lies in who is now shaping nutrition advice—and who is not.Yes, Some of the Advice Is RightTo be clear, let’s start with agreement.Eating real food helps health.Limiting added sugar makes sense.Reducing ultra-processed foods improves outcomes.Importantly, none of this is new.Doctors, dietitians, and public-health researchers have said these things for years. Because of that, when influencers now say, “See, we were right,” a serious issue appears.They didn’t discover this information.They copied it.The Real Risk Isn’t AgreementAt first glance, agreement sounds harmless.Nevertheless, agreement becomes dangerous when it turns into ownership.Once someone believes they have discovered basic nutrition truths, they often assume they can rewrite everything else. As a result, bad ideas slip in quietly, wrapped in confidence instead of evidence.That shift matters.Scientists and Influencers Are Not InterchangeableAt this point, we need to say something clearly.We cannot afford to replace scientists with influencers.Nutrition science didn’t come from podcasts or social media. Instead, it came from metabolic ward studies, long-term population research, and randomized trials. Moreover, real scientists accept uncertainty. They change their minds when the data changes.By contrast, influencer culture rewards certainty.Even worse, confidence often replaces humility.There is no “Mediterranean diet influencer community.”Likewise, there is no “DASH diet movement.”Those dietary patterns exist because scientists studied them, tested them, and measured outcomes over time.On the other hand, a loud low-carb and carnivore influencer ecosystem does exist. That ecosystem includes brands, supplements, coaching programs, and a strong contrarian identity. Because of that structure, influence—not evidence—often drives the message.Fiber Versus Saturated Fat: A Telltale SignIf you want to know whether someone understands nutrition science, ask a simple question:Which matters more—fiber or saturated fat?Influencers often say, “Fiber isn’t an essential nutrient.”Technically, that statement is true in the narrowest sense.However, context matters.Fiber supports a healthy gut microbiome.Additionally, fiber improves insulin sensitivity.Furthermore, fiber lowers cardiovascular risk.Finally, fiber supports colon health.Because fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria, entire fields of microbiome research depend on it.Now compare that with saturated fat.Saturated fat is truly non-essential.Your body can make all it needs.No deficiency disease exists from avoiding it.Even more importantly, excess saturated fat raises LDL cholesterol and worsens artery health. Over time, that increases cardiovascular risk.So ask yourself this:Why dismiss fiber as optional while quietly promoting saturated fat?That choice reflects ideology, not biology.The Brain...
