In this episode of Vitals and Values, David Roden and Lara Baatenburg debunk a common trap in diet culture: the obsession with individual ingredients like food dyes. They explore how marketers and influencers oversimplify health by highlighting what’s not in a product—while ignoring what actually matters. From calorie context to processed food patterns, they challenge listeners to move beyond fear-based messaging and toward a more balanced understanding of nutrition. If you’ve ever thought “this snack must be healthy because it’s dye-free,” this episode offers a reality check—and a healthier mindset.

In this thought-provoking episode, David Roden and Lara Baatenburg tackle a controversial but important question: does a doctor’s body shape affect their credibility? They unpack the weight bias that exists in both patients and the medical profession, explore the unrealistic expectations placed on physicians, and highlight the critical role of empathy in healthcare. From the lack of nutrition training in med school to the struggles doctors face in managing their own health, this episode challenges assumptions and reframes what really matters in a healing relationship.