Podcast Summary: The REAL Reason Intermittent Fasting Isn’t Working for You | Monday Moments

Podcast: Kreatures Of Habit Podcast
Host: Michael Chernow
Date: December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this Monday Moments solo episode, Michael Chernow gets candid about the downsides of intermittent fasting. Drawing from personal experience and observations, Michael questions the stress and anxiety caused by rigid eating windows. Instead, he advocates for a simpler, more intuitive approach to food—focusing on regular, balanced meals and reducing overthinking around when to eat. This episode is grounded in practical advice, aiming to reduce food-related stress during a notoriously challenging holiday season.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Intermittent Fasting—More Harm than Good?

• Michael opens by challenging the popular trend of intermittent fasting:
  • "Intermittent fasting is not something that I recommend to anybody. It adds way more stress and anxiety than is necessary around food." (00:00)
• Life is already stressful; restrictive eating windows can exacerbate this.
  • "You should not have to add another layer by starving yourself until noon or one o'clock every single day." (00:15)

2. A Simple Eating Structure—Michael’s Recommendation

• Michael advocates for a straightforward meal plan:
  • Breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner
  • "Just eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, and have a healthy snack in between breakfast and lunch and in between lunch and dinner." (00:25)
• This approach, he says, keeps him energized and prevents mood swings (like feeling 'hangry').

3. The Problem with Food Anxiety

• Michael discusses how food trends, like intermittent fasting, complicate our relationship with eating:
  • "Intermittent fasting has thrown people's relationship with food for a loop… It's a little ridiculous and a little out of control and… is really part of my French up the relationship with food for a lot of people." (02:43)
• He stresses the importance of making peace with food as a source of nourishment and vitality, not stress.

4. Food Choices > Eating Windows

• Emphasis on what you eat over when you eat:
  • "It’s all about the choices that you make with the food that you put into your body. Way more important about what you’re eating than when you’re eating it." (01:00, repeated at 06:05)
• Especially during the holidays, Michael encourages enjoying food mindfully without guilt.

5. Personal Routine—Practical Meal Timing

• Michael shares his own schedule:
  • "I like to eat breakfast at around 8. I like to eat lunch at around 12 or 1 and I eat dinner at 6 o'clock every single night. I have a snack at around 10:30 and I have a snack at around 2:30." (05:18)
• This structure, he says, fits his lifestyle and keeps him in shape and happy.

6. A Message of Permission & Encouragement

• For those struggling with intermittent fasting, Michael gives permission to stop:
  • "If you needed someone to tell you, just give it a break." (05:55)
• He acknowledges it works for some but argues that "way more people struggle with this thing and are questioning… Just eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner and a couple of snacks." (06:15)

7. Embracing Movement & Self-Compassion

• Michael briefly encourages listeners to move more, whether with a standing desk or walking pad, to complement mindful eating.
• He closes with a reminder to smile, relax around food, and focus on making smart choices.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On food and thriving:
  • "Human beings need food to survive. Now there will be some people that will say, actually you don't need to eat food to survive. It's not true. We actually need food to survive. And I don't mean exist. I mean survive and thrive and feel good and look good." (01:32)
• On the stress of intermittent fasting:
  • "Wake up in the morning, hydrate, give yourself a little time to get grounded and eat, eat breakfast, you are going to feel energy from the food that you eat." (03:20)
• A call to ditch unnecessary diet stress:
  • "I hope this one has given you permission to lay off the intermittent fasting train. You don't need it. That's my belief." (06:35)
• On the holidays and self-care:
  • "During this holiday season, give yourself a break, smile. Be smart about the decisions that you make around the food you put into your body, and make sure to move." (07:00)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Michael’s critique on intermittent fasting and opening remarks
• 01:32 – On food as essential for thriving, not just existing
• 02:43 – How intermittent fasting disrupts our relationship with food
• 03:20 – Morning routine: hydrate, ground, and eat
• 05:18 – Michael’s personal meal/snack routine
• 05:55 – Permission to drop intermittent fasting
• 06:05 – Why food choice beats eating window every time
• 07:00 – Closing thoughts on holidays, movement, and food choices

Tone and Style

Michael’s approach in this episode is direct, empathetic, and a little irreverent. He candidly shares his personal struggles and triumphs, aiming to empower listeners to simplify their approach to eating and let go of dietary stress, especially amidst the holidays.