Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens

Dr Jenny Gourgari, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine Diplomate
  • 5.0 (6)
  • NUTRITION
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Is your teen showing early signs of insulin resistance and prediabetes, gaining weight too quickly and is always hungry? Before you try another diet or cut another food group — you need to hear this.Teen weight gain is rarely about willpower. During puberty, hormones like insulin, cortisol, and estrogen directly drive how your teen stores fat, feels hungry, and burns energy. If no one has explained that to you yet, this podcast is where that changes. Lifestyle for Teens with Dr. Jenny is built on one belief: No Diets. No Shame. Just Hormones That Work. Dr. Jenny Gourgari is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist — and she knows this journey personally. She spent her own teenage years struggling with weight and chronic dieting before understanding that hormones, not habits, were driving the cycle. Now she helps parents and teens do what she wished someone had helped her do sooner. HIT "FOLLOW" the podcast to never miss an episode!VISIT MY WEBSITE:https://lifestyleforteens.com?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=homepageGET FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR TEEN:https://lifestyleforteens.com/free-resources/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=free_resourcesSUBSCRIBE TO MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://members.lifestyleforteens.com/f/subscribe-for-weekly-resources?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=newsletterSTART REVERSING INSULIN RESISTANCE TODAY:https://lifestyleforteens.com/reset?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=mini_lift

  1. 8H AGO

    Ep. 98 . 7 Foods Teens Think Are “Healthy" But Are Not

    Are the foods your teen eats every day actually helping their metabolism… or keeping insulin high all day long? I go over 7 foods that are commonly marketed as “healthy” for teens — but may contain hidden sugars that contribute to cravings, fatigue, increased hunger, and weight gain over time. You’ll learn:  Which foods may not be as healthy as you thought Simple swaps that support healthier hormones and metabolismDo you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    17 min

  2. APR 28

    Ep. 97. What Labs to Ask For Your Teen If Diabetes Runs In Your Family

    If diabetes runs in your family and you're watching your teenager's health with a quiet sense of worry — you're not being paranoid. You're paying attention. And you're already ahead of most parents who don't ask questions until a doctor forces the conversation. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari breaks down something most families never hear: there are specific metabolic tests officially recommended for teenagers at elevated risk for diabetes — and most families don't know to ask for them. If your teen has a family history of diabetes, carries extra weight, shows signs of insulin resistance, or is in the middle of puberty (which itself causes a 30% drop in insulin sensitivity — yes, really), this episode is essential listening. Dr. Jenny walks you through every test, every number, and exactly what to say at your teen's next doctor's appointment — so you walk in informed, prepared, and ready to advocate for your child. In this episode you'll learn: Why family history of diabetes is a clinical risk factor — not just background informationHow insulin resistance builds quietly for years before blood sugar ever looks abnormalWhy puberty itself puts teens with family history at significantly higher riskThe exact criteria that qualify a teenager for metabolic screeningThe three tests to ask for — fasting glucose, Hemoglobin A1C, and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) — and what every number meansWhat to do if results come back in the prediabetes rangeThree lifestyle changes you can start this week — sleep, food quality, and movement — with specific, doable stepsThis isn't about fear. It's about catching something early enough to actually do something about it. Prediabetes is reversible — but only if you know it's there. By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly what to ask for, what the numbers mean, and how to start changing the trajectory for your teenager — one small step at a time. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    15 min

  3. APR 22

    Ep. 96 PCOS in Teens: The Missing Link No One Explains

    If your daughter was just diagnosed with PCOS and handed a birth control prescription — this episode is for you. Birth control isn't wrong. It's actually the first-line treatment for managing irregular periods in teens with PCOS, and Dr. Jenny Gourgari wants to be clear: if your doctor recommended it, use it. But here's what most parents don't hear in that appointment — birth control manages the symptom. It doesn't address the reason her hormones became dysregulated in the first place. In this episode, Dr. Jenny breaks down the missing link that rarely gets discussed: insulin resistance. In many teenage girls with PCOS, insulin resistance is the underlying driver causing the ovaries to produce excess androgens, disrupting the hormonal cycle, and leading to irregular or missing periods. And the powerful truth is — when you address insulin resistance, you can improve the hormonal picture in ways that matter for the rest of your daughter's life. Dr. Jenny also addresses something most doctors skip entirely: the emotional weight of this diagnosis. Teens with PCOS are nearly four times more likely to experience eating disorders, anxiety, and depression. The approach that works isn't about restriction — it's about supporting girls to build a lifestyle that works with their biology, not against it. In this episode you'll learn: What PCOS actually is, and why the name is misleadingThe direct connection between insulin resistance and irregular periodsWhy birth control treats the symptom but not the root causeHow food, movement, and sleep can restore hormonal balanceWhy restrictive dieting is harmful for girls with PCOS, and what works insteadReal action steps you can take this week for your daughterWhen and how medications like Metformin fit into the pictureWhether your daughter was just diagnosed or has been managing PCOS for years, this episode will give you a clearer picture of what's happening in her body. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    14 min

  4. APR 15

    Ep. 95: 5 Signs Your Teen Has Metabolic Dysfunction—Even With “Normal” Labs

    Metabolic dysfunction in teenagers is subtle. It's slow-moving. And it rarely announces itself with obvious symptoms, which means it's easy to miss until things have already been developing quietly for years. In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari, board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist, walks you through five specific signs that may indicate your teen is experiencing insulin resistance or metabolic dysfunction, even when their routine lab work looks completely normal. Because here's something most parents don't know: normal blood sugar does not mean normal insulin. And fasting insulin isn't even part of standard blood work. That gap is exactly why so many teens go undiagnosed for so long. Dr. Jenny breaks down each sign in plain, parent-friendly language, what's happening in the body, why it matters, and what questions to bring to your teen's next doctor's appointment. In this episode, you'll learn: Why labs can look normal while insulin resistance is already building underneathThe 5 signs to watch for, from skin changes to mood shifts to unexplained weight gainWhy persistent fatigue that sleep won't fix is a metabolic red flagHow hunger patterns after meals can reveal what's happening with blood sugarWhich lab tests to ask your doctor about, beyond just blood sugarWhy this is not a willpower issue, and what you can actually do about itWhether your teen has already been diagnosed with prediabetes or you simply have a gut feeling that something is off, this episode gives you the knowledge to walk into your next doctor's visit informed, prepared, and asking the right questions. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    20 min

  5. APR 9

    Ep. 94 The Root Cause of Prediabetes in Teens — And What You Can Do About It

    Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 teenagers in the United States has prediabetes? In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari breaks down the root cause of prediabetes — in both adults and teenagers — and explains why adolescents face a unique and compounded risk during puberty. Dr. Gourgari walks us through the science in plain, accessible language: what happens in your body when you eat sugar, how insulin and beta cells work, and at what point the system begins to break down. She covers the key diagnostic numbers to know, the most important risk factors (including the ones you can change), and why belly fat plays such a central role in insulin resistance. You'll also learn why teenagers are especially vulnerable — from poor sleep and unhealthy snacking to the hormonal surges of puberty that can worsen insulin resistance by up to 30%. But there's genuine hope: prediabetes is reversible, and lifestyle changes can make a profound difference. In this episode: How insulin and beta cells drive blood sugar regulationThe exact numbers that define prediabetes vs. diabetesWhy visceral (belly) fat is the #1 modifiable risk factorThe unique puberty-related insulin resistance teenagers faceHow sleep, exercise, and food quality all play a roleWhy 30–50% of teenagers can reverse prediabetes with lifestyle changesWhether you're a parent, a teenager, or simply someone who wants to protect their metabolic health, this episode is packed with practical, empowering information. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    17 min

  6. APR 1

    Ep. 93 Can Teens Get Prediabetes? Warning Signs Every Parent Needs to Know

    Did you know that up to 36% of teenagers may have prediabetes — that's 1 in 3 teens? In this episode, Dr. Jenny breaks down everything parents need to know about prediabetes in adolescents, including what it actually is, how it's measured, and — most importantly — why it's still reversible. In this episode, you'll learn: The difference between prediabetes and diabetes (and the exact A1C numbers that matter)Why prediabetes often has no obvious symptoms in teensThe soft signs and risk factors to watch for — including skin darkening around the neck, central belly fat, family history, and moreWhy puberty itself can temporarily raise blood sugarHow up to 50% of teens with prediabetes can return to normal — without medicationWhen to ask your doctor to test your child's hemoglobin A1CDo you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    18 min

  7. MAR 26

    Ep. 92 The 35-Gram Breakfast Secret That Could Help Teens Stop Gaining Fat

    Could 35 grams of protein at breakfast be the secret to helping your teen stop gaining fat and feel full longer? In this episode, Dr. Jenny breaks down a real study done in teenagers — and shares exactly how to make high-protein breakfasts work for busy, picky, or breakfast-skipping teens. No perfection required. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    11 min

  8. MAR 18

    Ep. 91 What Every Parent Should Teach Teens About Food Labels

    In this episode, Dr. Jenny Gourgari discusses how learning to read food labels can help teenagers make healthier food choices. While fresh foods without labels are always the healthiest option, packaged foods are a reality of modern life. Understanding nutrition labels can help teens compare foods, reduce hidden sugar intake, and choose options that support better energy and metabolism. Do you worry your teen is gaining weight quickly or seems hungry all the time? Are you afraid this could lead to prediabetes or diabetes later in life? That’s why I created the “Healthy Weight Starts with Healthy Habits": A 7-Day Hormone Reset Program for Teens. ONLY $25 - Learn more here ! I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach.  After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last. Here's what makes this different: ✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame. ✅ No more food fights between parents and teens. ✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits ✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight ✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom! 📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools 🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love. Links 30 Healthy Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/recipes Smoothies Recipes for teens lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies Subscribe to my newsletter lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

    12 min
See All (98)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Is your teen showing early signs of insulin resistance and prediabetes, gaining weight too quickly and is always hungry? Before you try another diet or cut another food group — you need to hear this.Teen weight gain is rarely about willpower. During puberty, hormones like insulin, cortisol, and estrogen directly drive how your teen stores fat, feels hungry, and burns energy. If no one has explained that to you yet, this podcast is where that changes. Lifestyle for Teens with Dr. Jenny is built on one belief: No Diets. No Shame. Just Hormones That Work. Dr. Jenny Gourgari is a board-certified pediatric endocrinologist and obesity medicine specialist — and she knows this journey personally. She spent her own teenage years struggling with weight and chronic dieting before understanding that hormones, not habits, were driving the cycle. Now she helps parents and teens do what she wished someone had helped her do sooner. HIT "FOLLOW" the podcast to never miss an episode!VISIT MY WEBSITE:https://lifestyleforteens.com?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=homepageGET FREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOUR TEEN:https://lifestyleforteens.com/free-resources/?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=free_resourcesSUBSCRIBE TO MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER:https://members.lifestyleforteens.com/f/subscribe-for-weekly-resources?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=newsletterSTART REVERSING INSULIN RESISTANCE TODAY:https://lifestyleforteens.com/reset?utm_source=buzzsprout&utm_medium=podcast_description&utm_campaign=mini_lift

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Jenny Gourgari, Pediatric Endocrinologist and Obesity Medicine Diplomate
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens
  • Show Website
    Lifestyle and Weight Loss For Teens