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How do scientists know how many calories people actually eat?

It sounds like a simple question, but measuring food intake is actually extremely difficult. If someone says they are eating 2000 calories per day, how accurate is that number likely to be?

In this episode, we explore the evidence behind calorie underreporting, why self-reported food intake is often inaccurate, and how researchers verify whether people are truly eating what they say they are.

We discuss:
- Why food diaries and dietary recalls are often unreliable
- The science of calorie underreporting
- How researchers try to verify what people eat
- Why people often underreport intake without realising it
- The implications for nutrition and obesity research
- What this means for anyone trying to lose weight

Rather than blaming individuals, we examine why accurately measuring food intake is so difficult (even under research conditions) and how scientists have developed better methods to study energy balance.

Whether you're interested in nutrition, weight loss, or how research is conducted, this episode offers an evidence-based look at one of the most important (and misunderstood) topics in nutrition science.

P.S., If you want to support us and would like monthly lifting workouts, you can join the Momentum by Sohee fitness app. http://momentumbysohee.com

If you are interested in fat loss science, you can purchase Ben's best-selling comprehensive fat loss book, Everything Fat Loss. http://geni.us/EverythingFatLoss