Why 'hedgehog diets' miss the mark
Harvard professor Daniel Lieberman discusses his new book, 'Fed Up', which critiques popular diet fads. He uses the 'fox and hedgehog' metaphor to explain why many restrictive diets fail to provide long-term health benefits.
Why it matters
Understanding the evolutionary biology of diet helps consumers navigate the saturated and often misleading wellness industry.
Harvard professor Daniel Lieberman had the fable of the fox and the hedgehog in mind when he wrote his new book about diets.
Sunday Morning 16 August 2026 6 min read Caption: Most of the diets that people claim will makes us healthier or thinner are hedgehog diets, Daniel Lieberman says. Photo credit: WLADIMIR BULGAR/SCIENCE PHOTO LI In that ancient fable the hedgehog has one idea; curl up in a ball to survive while the fox relies on many strategies, Daniel Lieberman told RNZ’s Sunday Morning .
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in