40. The Truth About Ultra-Processed Foods and Your Child’s Health
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
Release Date: 08/18/2025
52. When to Question Your Doctor (and Why It Matters)
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, Dr. Miles Hassell challenges a deeply ingrained assumption: that you should fully trust your doctor without question. While physicians often care deeply about their patients, they are also human—limited by time, bias, systems, and expertise. This conversation is about reclaiming agency in your healthcare, learning how to ask better questions, and becoming an active participant in decisions that affect your long-term health and healthspan. Dr. Hassell explores common pitfalls in modern medicine—like “anchoring” on one diagnosis,...
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51. Go Outside and Play: How Movement, Purpose, and Faith Can Heal the Body
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
What does health, purpose, faith, and play all have in common? In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, we dive into why movement, community, and purpose are essential to lifelong health—especially for kids and families. Miles Hassell MD sits down with Tyler LaRoche, pastor and founder of Legacy Sports, to talk about reclaiming play as a tool for discipleship, physical health, and community building. From the dangers of sedentary lifestyles and overreliance on pain medications to the role of purpose in disease prevention, this conversation challenges modern assumptions about...
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50. 8 Longevity Secrets (That Won't Cost a Dime)
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
In this episode, Miles Hassell MD breaks down the no-gimmick fundamentals of living free of preventable disease and feeling better. No expensive tests. No complicated biohacking. Just simple habits that actually work. You’ll learn why home-cooked whole foods beat anything factory-made, why getting short of breath during exercise daily is essential, how waistline control reverses chronic disease, and why purpose, generosity, and play keep your brain young. Key Takeaways: Eat real whole foods cooked at home; avoid ultra-processed foods. Follow a simple Mediterranean-style diet with fruits,...
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49. Holiday Eating Without Sabotaging Your Health
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
The holidays don’t have to mean weight gain, regret, or a health reset in January. In this Christmas special, Miles Hassell MD breaks down how to fully enjoy the season while protecting your long-term health. Learn why ultra-processed foods, excess sugar, and alcohol hit harder than you think—and how simple planning can help you celebrate without self-sabotage. You can enjoy treats, stay active, and feel great heading into the new year. Key Takeaways: You can enjoy the holidays without gaining weight or wrecking your health Ultra-processed foods, sugar, and excess alcohol have real...
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48. Vitamin D Supplements: Do They Work?
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
Most people take vitamin D pills because their doctor, a commercial, or a supplement aisle told them to. But do vitamin D supplements actually improve your health? In this episode, Miles Hassell MD breaks down what the evidence really shows — and why vitamin D sources found in nature may be far more powerful. We dive into the massive gap between blood levels of vitamin D and whether supplements actually work, the risks of “false confidence” in pills, and the often-overlooked benefits of sunlight, food, weight management, and real lifestyle habits. Key Takeaways Supplements rarely...
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47. Do You Need A Statin?
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, we take a deep dive into statins, their true benefits, their real risks, and the massive role lifestyle plays in shaping heart disease outcomes. Rather than accepting oversimplified medical advice, this episode empowers you to think critically, understand uncertainty in medicine, and make fully informed decisions about your own health. You’ll learn how to interpret risk statistics (like relative vs absolute risk), why lifestyle may outperform medication for many people, and why statins are helpful for some—yet potentially unnecessary or...
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46. Preventing Fractures & Building Stronger Bones
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
In this special Walk Don’t Run to the Doctor episode, Miles Hassell MD tackles one of the most important, yet misunderstood health topics: osteoporosis and fracture prevention. Rather than focusing on numbers from a Dexa scan or quick prescriptions, this episode empowers you with real, actionable steps to build stronger bones and improve your long-term health with evidence-based lifestyle tools. You’ll learn why lifestyle choices—good food you make at home, sunlight, and movement—often outperform medications in maintaining bone health. The discussion blends current research, humor, and...
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45. Why Pills Aren't Saving You (But This Might): Link in Description
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
This week we are featuring a recent podcast recorded at George Fox University, called George Fox Talks. Erika Barber, MD talks with Miles Hassell MD about taking ownership of your own health. Through thoughtful eating and by giving your palate a chance to develop an appreciation for the richness of available food, you can have a transformative impact on the quality of your life and your body’s ability to resist disease. Watch the full episode through the links provided. YouTube: Apple Pocasts: Spotify: Get your copy of Good Food Great Medicine,...
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44. Is Your Blood Pressure Medicine Making You Sicker?
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
Are blood pressure medications saving lives—or quietly making things worse? In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD takes a hard look at the role of blood pressure drugs. While medications can protect against stroke and heart damage, they also carry serious side effects—from fatigue and dizziness to diabetes and falls in older adults. The bigger issue? Medications can distract from the most powerful treatment of all: lifestyle change. Eating better, moving more, trimming excess weight, and cutting harmful habits often work better than pills—and without the...
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43. How to Be Young at an Old Age with Mac Lake
Walk, Don't Run to the Doctor with Miles Hassell, MD
In this episode of Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor, Miles Hassell MD sits down with author Mac Lake to explore the connection between faith, health, and personal responsibility. Mac Lake is a highly respected leader, author, and founder of Multiply Group, where he helps leaders and organizations develop strategies to multiply their leadership impact. An inspirational trainer and leadership coach, Mac is gifted at simplifying complex ideas into actionable strategies that anyone can implement to achieve transformative results in their personal life, team, and organization. He has written seven...
info_outlineIn this episode, Miles Hassell MD, an internal medicine physician from Portland, Oregon, dives deep into one of the most important responsibilities of parenthood—feeding your kids well. He tackles the real-life challenges families face in a world dominated by ultra-processed foods, marketing traps, and busy schedules. Learn how simple, home-cooked meals can drastically improve your child’s mental and physical health, prevent chronic diseases, and build lifelong habits. From breakfast hacks to family cooking tips, this episode is a practical and inspiring guide for every parent.
Key Takeaways:
- Feeding kids well is a moral imperative, not just a preference—it's as crucial as seatbelts and helmets.
- Ultra-processed foods are linked to obesity, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, poor academic performance, and chronic disease.
- Kids should eat the same real food as adults—there’s no need for special “kid food.”
- Cooking at home is key: it saves money, teaches life skills, and builds family bonds.
- Start early and be strategic: gradual changes, fun family cooking, and healthy treats can transform habits.
- Avoid food “traps” like sugary drinks, protein bars, commercial bread, and snacks marketed as healthy.
- Practical meal ideas include homemade overnight whole intact grain cereals, veggie-packed frittatas, home-baked bread, and simple snacks like fruit and cheese.
- Build a home culture of movement, socializing, reading, and resilience alongside nutrition.
Let’s raise healthy, capable kids—one homemade meal at a time. Order your copy of Good Food Great Medicine, 4th edition by Miles Hassell MD and Mea Hassell. https://a.co/d/blI93TT References -Ferreira, R., et al. (2024). Early ultra-processed foods consumption and hyperactivity/inattention in adolescence. https://doi.org/10.11606/s1518-8787.2024058005636 -Lane, M., et al. (2022). Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Mental Health: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies. Nutrients, 14(13), 2568. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14132568 -López-Gil, J, et al. (2025). Investigating the Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Food Consumption and Academic Performance in the Adolescent Population: The EHDLA Study. Nutrients, 17(3), 524. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17030524 More references can be found at www.GreatMed.org
Would you like Dr. Hassell to answer your question on the air? Contact us! Phone/text: 503-773-0770 e-mail: info@GreatMed.org Write us a letter. We love to hear from you. This podcast is sponsored by our generous listeners. Send questions, comments, and support to: 4804 NW Bethany Blvd., Suite I-2, #273 Portland OR 97229