381: Why You’re Stuck: Hunger, Hormones + Metabolic Fixes | Dr. Andrew Koutnik

In this episode of Be Well by Kelly Levesque, Dr. Andrew Koutnik, a leading researcher in ketogenic nutrition and metabolic therapies, shares his powerful personal journey as a type 1 diabetic and former obese child, which led him to become a passionate advocate for metabolic health. He explains how metabolic inflexibility—where the body struggles to switch between burning glucose and fat—leads to fatigue, weight gain, and chronic disease, and how whole foods, eliminating liquid calories, and prioritizing protein, fiber, and healthy fats can restore metabolic function. Drawing from his experience managing diabetes and working with athletes, he emphasizes that metabolic health is not just about biomarkers but about how you feel: energy, focus, and physical performance. He breaks down the science of ketosis, the timeline for fat adaptation (2–4 weeks), and the importance of sodium and electrolyte balance during adaptation. Dr. Koutnik also offers practical, realistic strategies for parents, stressing that small, sustainable changes—like using whole foods, reducing processed snacks, and modeling healthy habits—are more effective than perfection. He concludes with a powerful message: health is not a one-size-fits-all formula, but a lifelong process of learning, trying, and building a supportive environment.