Dr. Jason Fung Explains Why You Are Always Hungry

Dr. Jason Fung Explains Why You Are Always Hungry

Author: JJ Virgin April 15, 2026 Duration: 49:17
Are you tired of being told that your weight gain is simply a result of a lack of willpower? In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome back my friend and world-renowned kidney specialist, Dr. Jason Fung, to dive deep into the real science of why we feel hungry. We break down why the traditional "eat less, move more" advice is a total lie and how your hormones—not your willpower—are the true drivers of weight gain. You'll walk away with a fresh perspective on how to reclaim control over your appetite and age more powerfully than ever before. What you’ll learn: (05:21) Dr. Fung reveals the biggest lie we’ve been told about why we feel hungry. (06:00) Learn about the three distinct types of hunger and how they drive your eating behaviors. (09:57) Discover why the "calories in, calories out" model is a spectacular failure for long-term health. (12:38) Understand why perimenopause is one of the highest risk periods for weight gain due to hormonal shifts. (16:48) Explore how ultra-processed foods are designed to biologically manipulate your brain's reward centers. (21:44) See how your social environment and the people around you significantly impact your risk of obesity. (31:16) Find out how regular fasting can act as a powerful tool to reset your hunger signals and metabolic flexibility. (35:25) Get practical advice on redesigning your physical environment to avoid hedonic and conditioned hunger traps Love the podcast? Here’s what to do: Subscribe to the podcast. Leave a review. Text a screenshot to me at 813-565-2627 and wait for a personal reply because your voice is so important to me. Full show notes (including all links mentioned): https://jjvirgin.com/thehungercode Visit timeline.com/jjvirgin to get 20% off your order of Mitopure. For an exclusive offer, go to https://bioptimizers.com/jjvirgin and use promo code JJVIRGIN during checkout to save 15%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midlife isn't a crisis; it's a catalyst. On Well Beyond 40, JJ Virgin guides a conversation about rewriting the narrative of aging for women, moving from simply coping to truly thriving. This isn't about chasing youth, but about building a foundation of strength and vitality that makes the coming decades the most rewarding yet. Each episode feels like a direct, practical talk with a trusted expert who cuts through the noise. You'll hear actionable strategies rooted in science, focusing on how nutrition, movement, and mindset intersect uniquely during this life stage. JJ translates complex research into clear steps for refueling your body, managing energy, and cultivating a sense of purpose that goes far beyond the scale. The Well Beyond 40 podcast operates on the principle that knowing *why* something works is just as important as knowing *what* to do. Listeners are invited into a space where questions about metabolic shifts, hormonal balance, sustainable fitness, and intentional beauty are met with evidence-based answers and genuine empathy. It’s a resource for any woman ready to move past generic advice and discover what it means to age with power, confidence, and joy on her own terms. Tune in to reframe your approach and build a life that feels truly well-lived.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Well Beyond 40
Podcast Episodes
Recharge and Reset: Recovery, Hormones, and Advanced Fat-Loss Hacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:23
Are you unknowingly sabotaging your metabolism by skipping recovery or getting poor sleep? In this episode, I take you beyond diet and exercise to reveal the real fat-loss accelerators—sleep, recovery, hormones, and mind…
How to Rewire Your Brain for Lasting Health with John Assaraf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:21
How can neuroscience and self-talk help you break old habits and form empowering ones? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and mindset expert John Assaraf to explore the neuroscience of transformation—how…
Move to Boost: Exercise Strategies to Ignite Your Metabolism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:41
How can you exercise smarter after 40 to burn fat, build muscle, and keep your metabolism strong? In this episode, I break down how to exercise smarter—not harder—so you can ignite your metabolism after 40. I share the t…
Food as Fuel: Eating to Reignite Your Metabolism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:01
If you’ve been unintentionally slowing down your metabolism by eating the wrong foods, what can you do about it? In this episode, I’ll show you how to use food as fuel to reignite your metabolism—especially during midlif…
Muscle-First Metabolism: The Key to Midlife Weight Loss for Women 40+ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:55
Join me, JJ Virgin, in this 5-part series where each episode tackles the real reasons weight loss stalls in midlife, from muscle loss and food choices to exercise, hormones, stress, and recovery. This series is about rec…
What Your Plate Should Look Like for Fat Loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:25
In this episode, I break down the science of building a fat-loss-friendly plate. I share why protein is your anchor, why fiber is a game changer, and how healthy fats and slow, low carbs keep your body satisfied and your…
Lose Your Mind to Reclaim Your Health with Josh Pais [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:27
How can you transform stress and anxiety into creative energy? In this episode, JJ Virgin talks with actor, teacher, and author Josh Pais to explore the surprising connections between emotions, health, and creativity. Jo…