ZOE Science & Nutrition ZOE Science & Nutrition

The evolutionary science behind why you can’t lose weight and how to avoid 5 modern food mistakes | Prof Daniel Lieberman

Aug 6, 2026 · 52m

Summary

Professor Daniel Lieberman joins Zoe Science & Nutrition to discuss his book *Fed Up*, explaining how human evolution shapes our modern relationship with food. He argues that our bodies, adapted for scarcity and high activity, struggle with today’s abundance of ultra-processed options. Lieberman debunks myths like the paleo diet and simple calorie counting, emphasizing that no single optimal diet exists. Instead, he advocates for diverse, minimally processed foods to align with our biological needs.

Topics discussed

Introduction to Zoe Science and Nutrition Evolutionary 'Why' vs Medical 'How' and Gut Health Human Body Fat, Reproduction, and Energy Costs The Evolutionary Impact of Cooking and Fire Transition to Farming: Benefits and Trade-offs Debunking Paleo Myths and Calorie Counting Hunger, Willpower, and GLP-1 Drugs Obesity Epidemic and Zoe Daily 30 Supplement Managing Environment and Behavioral Choices Sleep, Cortisol, and the Stress-Weight Loop Physical Activity, Food Environment, and Conclusion
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