Episodes
In this week's episode, I discuss how women can diet around their menstrual cycle and the importance of building healthy weight maintenance habits. I also explain why hunger is reduced on aggressive deficits when compared with moderate deficits and how aggressive diets impact an individual’s relationship with food.  If you're interested in joining my MacMail, join the list HERE: ⁠https://mailchi.mp/martin-macdonald/macmail-newsletter⁠ Interested in getting my updated aggressive dieting...
Published 04/27/24
Published 04/25/24
In this week's episode, I am interviewed on how to become a qualified nutritionist without a degree, the science behind the efficacy of food intolerance tests, why quick-fix diets are so popular & why it can be harder for women to lose weight than men! If you're interested in joining my MacMail, join the list here:https://mailchi.mp/martin-macdonald/macmail-newsletter Interested in getting my updated aggressive dieting calculator? Join the interest list...
Published 04/25/24
In this episode, I give my take on Eddie Abbew’s rise in popularity and discuss the research around his demonisation of insulin & various other things. The link to the two Kevin Hall papers and the podcast I discuss in the episode can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep114  TIMEPOINTS 00:20 - Is Eddie Abbew the new Tim Spector? 06:29 - What is the insulin hypothesis & why Eddie Abbew thinks you have to control insulin 15:05 - The two studies that disprove most low-carb...
Published 03/14/24
On the second part of the Mind Muscle Connection podcast, I am interviewed by Jeff Hoehn on the things everyone should consider before starting a bulk!  We discuss the factors that affect how someone adapts to bulking including gender, NEAT & genetics.  References for the studies discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep113  03:04 - Why bulking is not the way to reach your ideal physique 21:54 - How to train for muscle gain & eat for fat loss 25:24 - Why people...
Published 02/13/24
On this week’s episode, I am interviewed by Jeff Hoehn on the Mind Muscle Connection podcast. We discussed what my current nutrition and training goals are and my daily eating behaviours. We also talk about the importance of learning healthy eating habits and why tracking should be considered a tool but not a panacea for sustainable fat loss. TOPICS10:52 - What is different about MNU & why we regulate our graduates 23:47 - How I eat 95% of the time 37:25 - Why most people gain weight...
Published 02/08/24
A new seminal paper has just been published and it has HUGELY changed/added to our current understanding of how we should be viewing protein intake!! This is big! References for the studies discussed can be found at ⁠www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep111 TOPICS 00:00 - The paper 9 years ago that finally answered a question once & for all! 04:32 - Have we been wrong in the past about "optimal" protein intake? 16:55 - How should we use this new information going forward? Aggressive...
Published 01/25/24
In this episode, I discuss what needs to be considered when implementing refeeds during an aggressive diet.  The link to receive my aggressive dieting resource can be found at: https://www.martin-macdonald.com/aggressive-dieting-resource TIMEPOINTS 02:23 - What is the optimal deficit during an aggressive diet 05:53 - When and how often are refeeds needed during an aggressive diet 09:40 - The negative impacts of refeeds during an aggressive diet  16:15 - Why it's important to maintain...
Published 06/05/23
This short episode covers a few insights into the topic of training, more specifically how I took my arms from being my worst body part to arguably my best. The references and links for the study discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep108 TOPICS 1:46 - Dealing with the External & Internal Negativity 3:33 - The key things I changed in my Training to make my worst body part, my best 6:04 - The interaction between Training Frequency & Training Volume 10:10 - An area...
Published 05/28/23
This is a quick fire episode after I was 'challenged' about the importance of insulin sensitivity for weight loss over simply being concerned with energy balance. I discuss weight loss injections like semaglutide and the diabetes medication, metformin. TOPICS 00:40 - Can certain 'insulin sensitivity' medications increase fat loss? 04:30 - The unknown impacts of increasing your insulin sensitivity 06:40 - The role of leptin and appetite hormones in weight loss maintenance 08:57 - What...
Published 05/22/23
In this episode, I am interviewed by Anna Skinner from Body Smart Fitness. We discuss myths and dietary changes regarding PCOS, the efficacy of supplements, sugar addiction, cravings & much more! As mentioned in this episode, you can use code 'NANPDublin' to get £50 off tickets to my Tour Talk in Dublin on 3rd June! TOPICS 11:23 - Nutritional myths that mislead women with PCOS 18:51 - The three dietary changes to improve symptoms of PCOS 25:38 - The one supplement you should consider...
Published 05/15/23
In this week’s episode, I discuss key considerations and strategies for aggressive dieting & cover how to transition from a dieting phase to eating at maintenance! TOPICS 05:50 - How I aggressive diet with minimal tracking 09:44 - How often to weigh yourself whilst on an aggressive diet 10:30 - Two key factors to consider before starting an aggressive diet 15:45 - Should you be training whilst on an aggressive diet? 19:19 - How to eat to maintain your body fat after dieting 24:15...
Published 05/08/23
In this episode I start what will likely be a longer journey into dispelling the misinformation that is going to fill the health, fitness & wellness industries for years to come with regards to PERSONALISED NUTRITION. During this short episode, I cover a few quick points in relation to research into the topic, past and current, and what still needs to be covered and considered in this broad field.  References for the studies discussed can be found...
Published 05/02/23
I had an idea for this episode but didn't record it for a couple of weeks so I kinda failed you. Instead, it turned into a Dublin Tour date announcement!! 3rd June. Save the Date! You can register your interest here! - https://mailchi.mp/martin-macdonald/dublin TOPICS 00:00 - Don't come to my Dublin Tour date if you're a snowflake... 03:52 - Something about nutritional evangelists 07:30 - Don't shoot the messenger...
Published 03/20/23
In this week’s episode, I discuss the evidence on the importance of sleep and whether a lack of it can impact fat loss and muscle retention. As mentioned, I'm going to be speaking in Dublin in June!! You can register your interest here! - https://mailchi.mp/martin-macdonald/dublin References for the studies discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep103 TOPICS 05:23 - Why the findings of sleep research might not apply to you/your client 12:58 - Does sleeping less than 8 hours...
Published 03/13/23
This episode is a quick addendum to my last episodes, further clarifying why it might not be a good to give children sweet drinks but also emphasising that this is the scientific discussion & we then need to apply it to our REAL world situations properly & appropriately. TOPICS 01:02 - Why completely restricting sweet drinks for children is unrealistic 02:24 - The importance of reducing all sweet drinks for children 03:33 - Considerations to improve food environment for children
Published 02/24/23
In this week’s episode, I discuss the evidence on whether young children should be consuming sweet drinks like squash/cordial/diluting juice.  I explain where the research is up to and give some practical advice that parents can use to help improve their children’s dietary variety.  References for the studies discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep101  TOPICS  01:14 - My stance on whether children should have artificially sweetened drinks  05:55 - Should we be controlling...
Published 02/20/23
I felt like Episode 100 was a perfect time to 1) explain my recent absence a LITTLE, without it being TMI! But also a look at what to expect in 2023 and let you in on a little new venture I'm starting. TOPICS 00:00 - I owe you a little explanation for where I've been... 02:53 - "What good shall I do this day" is back!  04:37 - What to expect from NANP in 2023! 08:40 - Starting an OnlyFans?
Published 02/13/23
A certain podcast clip went viral this week of a leading geneticist claiming that we should all be aiming to consume 16% of our Calories from protein and that eating above this ’sweet-spot’ would have adverse effects. In this week’s episode, I give my take on the statement by covering what the science tells us and give my perspective on what amount of protein we should be consuming to improve or maintain our health.  References for the studies discussed can be found...
Published 02/09/23
Are you putting the 'wrong fuel in your Ferrari'.... lol. This analogy is dumb when it comes to Fat Loss... and we have the research on humans we can look at. High 'quality' organic food vs Fast Food. In this week’s episode I explain what the body of evidence in this area is actually saying and clear up any confusion surrounding whether the type of foods we are consuming is more significant than the Calorie content when it comes to losing weight! As mentioned in this podcast you can get your...
Published 10/04/22
This episode is a brisk conversation around the topic of Calories. I discuss why it is utterly ridiculous to compare the calorie deficits of an adult to the calorific needs of a growing child, and, as always, the importance of critical thinking! References and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep97 TOPICS 00:00 - Calling out the anti-diet gimps  06:00 - If you apply the energy needs of a child to yourself, you’ll double your body weight in the next 10 years… 11:05...
Published 09/27/22
Following my last episode on the protein needs of young children, lots of you had specific queries regarding your child’s protein needs. So this week’s episode I have responded to your questions regarding protein and the requirements for your children. Check out the time points below to see if there’s a question you’ve got that I have answered! As mentioned in this podcast you can register your interest for the next Mac-Nutrition LIVE Day on Saturday 19th November 2022 here...
Published 09/24/22
Many of you have been asking me about nutrition for children recently and specifically about their protein needs. So this week I have recorded an episode not only on how much protein your child needs but why your anxieties on the topic are likely unwarranted!  I also cover some really important advice on how to approach your child's nutrition without causing them harm. Lots to take away from a parenting perspective in this one…..Enjoy! References for the studies discussed can be found...
Published 09/13/22
This week’s episode is an interview I did with Stu Aitken from Lift The Bar. We discussed why I first became interested in rapid fat loss, BMI as an indicator of health and why I am interested in discussing other topics outside of nutrition. I also give my opinion on how new practitioners in the industry should be focusing their time! References for the studies and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/ep94 TOPICS 07:18 - How I first got into rapid fat loss & myths...
Published 09/07/22
In this episode, I talk about the importance of using critical thinking in all aspects of life & explain, with examples, that correlation does NOT equal causation! References and links discussed can be found at www.Martin-MacDonald.com/Ep93 TOPICS 00:00 - The importance of critical thinking when observing correlations! 04:38 - The sex "fact" that triggered me to record this episode 07:55 - Do artificial sweeteners cause cancer? 10:56 - Correlation does not equal causation
Published 08/31/22