Why So Much of What You Know About Nutrition Is Wrong - And What to Do Instead
Huel Co - Founder and Well Fed Author James Collier
What if I told you that no one, no matter how experienced, actually knows what the “optimal diet” looks like?
That’s exactly what James Collier, co-founder of Huel and former NHS dietitian, argues in our latest episode of Extrology. With 30 years in the field of nutrition, he’s on a mission to cut through the misinformation, challenge dogma and reshape how we think about food.
Here’s what we covered and why this episode might change how you eat forever.
🔥 Key Takeaways from My Conversation with James Collier
🚫 1. There Is No Such Thing as the ‘Optimal Diet’
We love the idea of one perfect way to eat, but the truth is, nutrition is more complex than we want to admit. People have different genetics, lifestyles, cultural habits and gut microbiomes, all of which impact how they respond to food.
💡 What matters more? Focusing on nutrient density, diversity and sustainability rather than strict rules.
💭 2. Why Nutrition Is More Divisive Than Politics
James introduces the concept of ‘Dietology’, where people hold dogmatic, ideological beliefs about food, often ignoring science. Social media fuels this, with influencers pushing extreme, fear-based nutrition advice that spreads faster than fact-based discussions.
⚠️ The biggest red flags in nutrition misinformation?
• People who speak in absolutes (“Never eat this!” “This will kill you!”)
• Those who cherry-pick studies to back their views
• Demonization of entire food groups without context
🍽️ 3. How the Way We Eat Has Evolved - What It Means for You
Humans aren’t just omnivores, we’re adaptivores, meaning our diets have evolved based ona multitude of factors such as location, necessity and culture. From lactase persistence to spice tolerance, our bodies have changed to process food differently over generations.
💡 What’s the lesson? Nutrition is not one-size-fits-all. Your best diet is the one that works for your body, lifestyle, and goals.
🔥 4. The Future of Food: Should We Fear ‘Processed’ Nutrition?
Huel and other complete food solutions have been criticised for being “ultra-processed,” but James makes the case that processing isn’t inherently bad, it’s about what is processed and how.
🌱 What really matters?
• Reducing food waste
• Increasing access to nutrient-dense meals
• Moving towards sustainable food solutions like algae farming & regenerative agriculture
💉 5. Weight Loss Drugs: The Good, The Bad, and The Reality
GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic and Wegovy are dominating headlines, but James highlights the real issues:
• These drugs work - but only when used responsibly.
• They aren’t a “quick fix” and require long-term commitment.
• The biggest problem? People misusing them through black markets or online purchases without medical supervision.
🤔 6. The Most Dangerous Nutrition Myth We Need to Stop Believing
If James could erase one myth forever, it would be the idea that there is a single “correct” way to eat. Instead of chasing perfection, we should focus on progress, adaptability and sustainable choices.
Final Thoughts: Food Is More Than Fuel
This conversation wasn’t just about nutrition, it was about mindset. What we eat affects not just our health, but our planet, ethics and long-term sustainability.
🚀 Want the full conversation? Listen to the episode now wherever you get your podcasts.
And if you want my personal reflections on this conversation, check out my latest vlog on YouTube.com/@Extrology, where I break down the most surprising insights from my discussion with James.
🎧 Listen now: Spotify | Apple | YouTube | Amazon Music
📖 Read more on Substack: https://extrology.substack.com/
🎬 Watch my vlog recap from Thursday March 6th over on our YouTube Channel and don’t forget to subscribe for insights and inspiration from all our podcasts.