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Can you supplement your way to a glow? The $70 billion beauty supplement industry certainly wants you to think so.

This week we dig into collagen, biotin, hyaluronic acid, and those $90 greens powders everyone's suddenly drinking, tracing the history from Lydia Pinkham's 19th-century vegetable compound to today's $60 Moon Juice dusts. We break down what the research actually says about "ingestible beauty" (and, crucially, who funded it), why high-dose biotin might give your doctor an unwelcome surprise, and the psychology of why we keep buying products that promise to fix us from the inside out.

Also on the docket: the rise of "preventative Botox" among people under 30, the gut-skin axis (real science, grifty applications), and what actually supports skin, hair, and nail health, spoiler, it's boring. If you've ever wondered whether that greens powder is doing anything besides lightening your wallet, this one's for you.

This episode is brought to you by:

Tailwind Nutrition – Sports nutrition without the BS. Code YOURDIET20 for 20% off at tailwindnutrition.com

Osmia – Small-batch skincare made by a doctor who reads the research. Code YDS20 at osmiaorganics.com

Janji – Running gear with purpose. Code YDS at janji.com

Microcosm Coaching – Coaches who get endurance athletes. Free consultation at microcosmcoaching.com

Support us on Patreon, and see our full list of references on our website!

Do you need to eat like a caveman to unlock your ancestral potential? Spoiler: no, and also, which caveman? The whole premise falls apart the second you ask a follow-up question.

This week, we're taking on the Paleo Diet, not just what it says you should eat, but why it exists in the first place. Turns out the history goes way deeper than CrossFit bros and beef sticks. We trace the roots of "ancestral eating" back to 19th-century wilderness cults, Gilded Age masculinity panic, and a 1975 diet book with...some pretty dark roots.

From there, we dig into why Paleo took off in Silicon Valley and the manosphere, how it became a $500 million industry selling you a return to nature via Amazon Prime, and what the research actually says about eliminating grains and legumes. Spoiler: your gut bacteria are not thrilled.

Kylee breaks down the science on whole grains, the microbiome, and why the "mismatch hypothesis" doesn't hold up to evolutionary scrutiny. Zoë gets lost in Paleo subreddits, finds some surprisingly chill Burning Man content, and connects the dots between diet ideology, gender anxiety, and consumer capitalism.

If you've ever wondered why some guy at your gym is very passionate about seed oils, this one's for you.

This episode is brought to you by:

Janji — Up to 30% off sitewide through December 1st. Code YDS for 10% off your first order at janji.com

Osmia — 20% off Friday through Monday. Code YDS20 at osmiaskincare.com

Tailwind Nutrition — Code YOURDIET20 for 20% off your first order at tailwindnutrition.com

Microcosm Coaching — Book a free consultation at microcosmcoaching.com

Support the show and get bonus content! Join the N of One Club on Patreon for bonus episodes, monthly blogs, and a community of people who also think the wellness industry is full of shit. Starting at just $3/month.

Do you really need that $5 mojito-flavored electrolyte packet to survive your morning Zoom meeting? Spoiler: probably not.

This week we're talking salt. From ancient Romans literally getting paid in it to the absolute shitshow that was the 1904 Olympic marathon (two water stations for 26 miles—Google it). Kylee breaks down what electrolytes actually are and who actually needs supplemental sodium (endurance athletes sweating buckets) versus who doesn't (everyone sitting at a desk).

We cover sweat tests, sodium replacement strategies, and the deeply annoying fact that the symptoms of too much sodium and too little sodium are basically identical. Plus: the explosion of boutique electrolyte brands, IV drip bars, and why everyone has an emotional support Stanley cup. The wellness industry wants to sell you a crisis and then the cure, and electrolytes are having a serious moment.

This episode is brought to you by:

Osmia – Science-backed skincare. Use code YDS20 at osmiaskincare.com

Tailwind Nutrition – Endurance fuel that won't wreck your stomach. Code YOURDIET20 at tailwindnutrition.com

Microcosm Coaching – Sports dietitians who understand endurance athletes. microcosmcoaching.com

Janji – Running gear with purpose. Code YDS at janji.com

Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠

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This week on Your Diet Sucks, Zoë and Kylee dive headfirst into the messy, fascinating world of food policy, the history, politics, and corporate influence that quietly shape what ends up on your plate. From the creation of the first dietary guidelines to the low-fat craze that reshaped grocery store shelves, we unravel how government agencies, industry lobbyists, and “expert” committees turned nutrition advice into a political negotiation.

• ​Tailwind → tailwindnutrition.com, code YOURDIET20 = 20% off first order.
• ​Janji → janji.com, code YDS = 10% off first order.
• ​Microcosm Coaching → ⁠⁠microcosm-coaching.com⁠⁠, book a free consultation call.
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We talk about how the USDA’s dual role, both promoting agriculture and protecting public health, set the stage for decades of conflict, and how the sugar and processed food industries learned to play the game better than anyone. It’s a story full of backroom deals, scientific sleight of hand, and the kind of marketing spin that turned “moderation” into the most profitable word in nutrition.

Thanks to Janji for supporting YDS!

Your Diet Sucks is hosted by Zoë Rom and Kylee Van Horn, RDN, and brings a skeptical, evidence-based lens to the big stories shaping how we eat, move, and live.

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This week, Zoë and Kylee dig into one of the most misunderstood topics in endurance sports: RED-S, Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. We break down what it actually is (spoiler: it’s not just “overtraining”), how to recognize early warning signs, and what the latest science says about recovery.

From the old-school concept of the female athlete triad to the 2024 “Does RED-S Exist?” paper, we trace how the conversation around under-fueling has evolved, and why so many athletes are still falling through the cracks. We’ll unpack how RED-S affects everything from hormones and metabolism to bone density, mood, and performance, and why it doesn’t just happen to women or elite runners.

This episode separates evidence from internet rumor and offers real talk on what it takes to recover: eating enough, resting enough, and understanding that being tired, cold, and cranky isn’t “just part of training.” Whether you’re an endurance athlete chasing PRs or someone just trying to feel good in your body again, this one’s for you.

• ​Tailwind → tailwindnutrition.com, code YOURDIET20 = 20% off first order.
• ​Janji → janji.com, code YDS = 10% off first order.
• ​Microcosm Coaching → ⁠microcosm-coaching.com⁠, book a free consultation call.

Support us on Patreon!

Want to help with a book project? Share Your Story

Get YDS tees, mugs, hats and more on Tee Public!

This week on Your Diet Sucks, we’re digging into cannabis, how a plant got tangled up in politics, culture wars, and moral panic, and how that continues to shape the way we study it, regulate it, and talk about it today. We trace the science, the stigma, and the shifting rules, from Harry Anslinger’s racist propaganda campaigns to today’s confusing contradictions (why is cannabis still banned in sport while alcohol isn’t?).

We’ll also talk about what current research actually says about cannabis and performance, what gaps remain, and how athletes can think about using it.

• ​Eternal → eternal.co, code YDS = 10% off membership.
• ​Tailwind → tailwindnutrition.com, code YOURDIET20 = 20% off first order.
• ​Janji → janji.com, code YDS = 10% off first order.
• ​Microcosm Coaching → microcosm-coaching.com, book a free consultation call.

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Your mom probably didn’t sit you down to explain hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, or why your metabolism doesn’t suddenly tank the second you hit menopause. That’s where we come in. In this episode of Your Diet Sucks, Zoë and Kylee dig into the messy, complicated, and very normal reality of perimenopause and menopause—because more than half the population will experience it, and yet nobody talks about it. We trace the wild history of “treatments” like leeches and arsenic, unpack the real science around carbs, protein, strength training, sleep, and HRT, and roast the diet-culture nonsense that convinces athletes to fear their own bodies.

From “menopause belly” panic to the myth that performance ends at 50, we’re breaking down what actually matters for athletes, what doesn’t, and how to navigate this transition without falling for the gimmicks. Consider this the talk your mom never gave you—and the one your Instagram feed definitely won’t.

Support the Show

⁠⁠Eternal – To check out Foundations, use the promo code YDS for 10% a one year membership.⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Tailwind Nutrition offers science–backed endurance fuel that actually works. Try our favorite, Blueberry Lemonade Endurance Fuel - Get 20% off your first order with code YOURDIET20⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Janji – Adventure-ready running gear with pockets that actually work. Use code YDS for 10% off your order.⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Microcosm Coaching – Human-first, athlete-centered coaching for every runner, from 5K to 100 miles and beyond.⁠

  
  

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See our full list of 22 references for this episode on our website!

What does your dinner have to do with the climate crisis? In this episode of Your Diet Sucks, Zoë and Kylee dig into the science, the politics, and the messy cultural baggage around food and the environment. From beef’s outsized carbon footprint to the confusing debates over almond milk vs. oat milk, we break down what actually matters for athletes and active people who want to fuel performance without trashing the planet.

We trace the history of meat, dairy, and industrial agriculture, explain why food waste is one of the biggest hidden drivers of greenhouse gas emissions, and talk about whether “grass-fed” beef or “sustainable” seafood really lives up to the hype. Plus, we get real about the politics behind dietary guidelines, the myth of the carbon footprint, and why Fox News thinks burgers are freedom.

Spoiler: we’re not here to take away your mozzarella or your post-run burrito, we’re here to help you make sense of the science, push back on diet-culture guilt trips, and show how small, practical choices add up when athletes use their voices for systemic change.

Support the Show

⁠Eternal – To check out Foundations, use the promo code YDS for 10% a one year membership.⁠

• ⁠Tailwind Nutrition offers science–backed endurance fuel that actually works. Try our favorite, Blueberry Lemonade Endurance Fuel - Get 20% off your first order with code YOURDIET20⁠

• ⁠Janji – Adventure-ready running gear with pockets that actually work. Use code YDS for 10% off your order.⁠

• ⁠Microcosm Coaching – Human-first, athlete-centered coaching for every runner, from 5K to 100 miles and beyond.