Burnout, confusion, dieting culture, and conflicting nutrition advice collide long before most people realize something isn’t working. In this episode of The Health Movement Podcast, we break down why so many diets fail — and what sustainable health actually looks like.
In this conversation, Derek sits down with Marissa Dankosky, registered dietitian and nutrition consultant at Foodsmart, to talk about metabolism, fasting, food insecurity, heart health, and the emotional side of weight loss. Marissa shares how growing up in a health-focused household shaped her career, why carbohydrates are often misunderstood, and why extreme dieting strategies rarely create long-term success.
This episode explores the science behind intermittent fasting, the truth about metabolism “damage,” why consistency beats restriction, and how small, realistic goals create lasting change. Marissa also discusses the real-world challenges many families face — including rising grocery costs — and how to build balanced meals without overcomplicating nutrition.
If you’ve ever felt frustrated by dieting, confused by food trends, or unsure what actually works long term, this conversation offers clarity without extremes.
VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction & Marissa’s Background
From athlete to registered dietitian
01:04 – Fueling Performance with Food
How early sports shaped her nutrition philosophy
05:15 – What Is Foodsmart?
Virtual nutrition counseling and Medicaid access
06:45 – Intermittent Fasting & Weight Loss
What the research actually shows
08:10 – Can Fasting Slow Your Metabolism?
Survival biology and sustainability
09:00 – Men vs. Women & Fasting
What the research says
10:05 – The Old Food Pyramid vs. MyPlate
Why carbohydrates still matter
13:30 – The New Food Guidelines
Whole foods, butter, dairy, and heart health
19:30 – Food Insecurity & Rising Grocery Costs
How to eat healthy on a budget
22:30 – Meal Prepping & Planning
Reducing food waste and improving consistency
23:30 – Weight Loss Frustration
Why most diets fail long term
29:25 – Small Goals & Sustainable Change
Building habits that actually stick
To Connect with Marissa Dankosky:
• Foodsmart email: marissa.dankosky@foodsmart.com
• LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissa-dankosky-ms-rdn-88708b160/
Watch the full episode — youtube.com/@HealthMovementPodcast
Join the newsletter — https://healthmovement.us
Follow Derek on IG: https://www.instagram.com/derek.josephs/
