The Wellness Scoop

Welcome to a special summer bonus episode of The Wellness Scoop. We’re asking two big questions — are seed oils really as bad as the headlines claim, and does your gut health matter more than your genetics? We’ll dig into the science behind the seed oil debate, from where the fear started to what research actually says about their impact on inflammation, heart health and longevity. Then we’ll explore new studies on the gut–brain connection, and how lifestyle choices might shape your health as much as, or more than, your DNA. Plus, why dancing could be the most joyful workout, loneliness as a rising health risk, and the latest trends from the spinach scare to the Hot Girl Walk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to another special live episode of The Wellness Scoop. We’re starting with a calming five-minute meditation led by Cordelia Simpson to help you pause, breathe and refill your cup before diving in. Then we’re tackling one of the most confusing topics in nutrition: ultra processed foods (UPFs). From the additives hiding in our everyday favourites to the impact on gut health, inflammation and chronic disease, we’re breaking down what the science actually says and where the gaps still are. We’re looking at how UPFs are defined, the most common ones in our diets, and how our eating habits today compare to our grandparents’ generation. We’re also exploring the links with obesity, mental health and cancer risk, plus why cost and access play such a big role in the conversation. Most importantly, we’re sharing simple, realistic swaps that make a difference without cutting out joy, from building more meals around whole foods to knowing when an additive is worth paying attention to. Get your copy of Rhi's book, The Unprocessed Plate To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to a very special episode of The Wellness Scoop, recorded live with our amazing community. In today’s show, we’re asking whether coffee could help you age better, if cutting calories might actually harm your mental health, and why new research says exercise could be more effective than drugs in stopping cancer from returning. We’re also diving into the latest concerns around microplastics and tampons, the truth about step counts, and the role of food in supporting hormones, energy and emotional wellbeing. Plus, we’re taking brilliant questions from our live audience, from fasting and kids’ food language to organic veg and the pressure to be perfect. Whether you were in the room with us for the event or you’re listening for the first time from home, thank you for being part of this incredible community. To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re diving into the wellness headlines that got us talking, from new research linking sweeteners to early puberty, to what the science really says about the keto diet. We’re also looking at the rise of broccoli shots in elite sport and why grip strength might be one of the most important health markers we rarely talk about. There’s a lot to cover, including Donald Trump and Coca-Cola’s, a viral debate around bacon and cancer risk, and a listener question on how food can support hormone health.  At the end of the show, we’re sharing a few personal updates, including the launch of Ella’s new cookbook Quick Wins, our first-ever homeware collection with John Lewis, a campaign to improve free school breakfasts, and some summer picks for kids’ food and theatre deals. Plus a brilliant Stylist feature on ageing that sparked an honest conversation about self-image and how our mindset shifts over time. Recommendations Brick: https://getbrick.app/ Nancy Britwhistle: https://www.instagram.com/nancy.birtwhistle/?hl=en Books: Blue Sisters and The Body Keeps the Score To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re looking at why the first ten minutes after you wake up might matter more than anything else for how the rest of your day unfolds. From quick morning rituals to simple shifts that keep you steady, we break down what actually helps. We also get into England’s huge new 10-year NHS plan. With life expectancy flatlining and more people getting sick earlier, the government is promising a major overhaul — shifting from treating sickness to preventing it. We look at their ambitious goals, from tackling obesity and smoking to new rules on junk food and air quality, and ask whether it really goes far enough. Then we dive into the worrying story behind children’s sleep gummies that turned out to contain undeclared melatonin. It’s raised serious concerns about how unregulated the supplement industry still is, especially when it comes to products aimed at kids. Elsewhere, we explore why some common foods can behave like drugs in the body when you have too much. Think black licorice, poppy seeds and even Brazil nuts — all a reminder of how thin the line can be between food and pharmacology. And finally, we answer your listener question on organic. Is it genuinely better for your health, or is simply eating more fruits and veggies, no matter how they’re grown, what really counts? If you’re enjoying the show, please hit follow and leave us a review. We’d love to hear your thoughts or questions too! Recommendations: Self Defence: A Myth-busting Guide to Immune Health by Daniel Davis Bite Back activists, being blocked by the big advertising companies but trying to change the world! Turmeric, ginger and lemon shots - batch a week at a time Fit For The Future - The 10 year health plan in the UK The Science Of Menopause - by Dr Philippa Kaye Get your copy of Rhi's new book 'The Unprocessed Plate' ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: https://bit.ly/44MSOxI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re asking if all this self-monitoring, self-optimising and endless tracking is actually helping us — or just making us more stressed and less happy. With over half of UK adults now owning some kind of wearable, we dig into whether chasing perfect sleep scores and stress metrics is doing more harm than good. Because decades of research still shows that happiness often comes when we look outward — being kind, connected and empathetic — not by obsessing over every tiny detail of ourselves. We also break down some of the biggest health stories right now. We look at new research on magic mushrooms being used to treat depression, why the results are genuinely promising, and why it’s still not a miracle fix. Then we tackle the confusion around butter, steak, cheese and heart health. Is saturated fat really as bad as we’ve been told, or are the headlines just muddying the waters? We unpack what actually matters — from fat swaps to overall diet patterns. Then we take on the language of “guilt-free pleasures.” Whether it’s dark chocolate, low-alcohol wine or high-fibre cereals, do we really need guilt in the food conversation at all? We think it’s time to change how we talk about food. We also touch on the new nursery nutrition guidelines rolling out this September to help kids build better habits early on. Recommendations: Baked strawberries! Coat in either honey, maple syrup and sugar, pop in the oven for 15-20 mins at 180 and enjoy how much flavour you get Walking! Quick and easy way to feel great and bust stress Leaving your phone downstairs at night and feel better for not having the temptation to do late-night doom scrolling Please vote for us to win the Listener's Choice award at the British Podcast Awards: ⁠https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re diving into the stories shaping what we eat, how we shop and the way we live. We’re talking about the government’s new push to tackle obesity by cutting just 50 calories a day, whether weight-loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are already changing our shopping habits, and the latest on possible bans or tighter rules for alcohol advertising in the UK. We also get into which oils you actually want to be cooking with at home, why M&S has just trademarked something called “Punishment Juice,” and a major new NHS survey that reveals one in four young adults are now living with a mental health condition. Plus, could creatine help prevent Alzheimer’s? We look at what the science says so far — along with all our personal updates and this week’s recommendations, from cult podcasts to berry-packed smoothies. This week’s recs: Korean exfoliating mitt⁠ ⁠How I Became a Brainwashed Cult Bride⁠ on Conversations (ABC Australia) Get your copy of Rhi's new book 'The Unprocessed Plate' ⁠⁠HERE⁠ Vote for us to win the Listener's Choice award at the British Podcast Awards: https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re breaking down the new government data on the UK’s diet, from fibre and fruit and veg to vitamin D and iodine. It’s a clear snapshot of how we’re eating and why some of the most basic habits still aren’t sticking. We share what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what small shifts could help close the gap. We’re also diving into the surprising findings on insect protein. Once seen as a sustainable fix for the future, a new report suggests the environmental impact may be much higher than expected. Then we explore the rise of wearable tech for your brain, with a look at the new e-tattoo that tracks mental load in real time. Helpful tool or step too far? We discuss. Plus, we take on cortisol cocktails. Are they fact or fiction? And what actually works when it comes to managing stress? We share six simple, science-backed habits to support your nervous system. We also unpack the foods that act like drugs when eaten in excess, and what that means for your health. And in this week’s listener question: ghee, butter or olive oil. Which one should you be using in your cooking? Get your copy of Rhi's new book 'The Unprocessed Plate' HERE To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, we’re diving into the foods that could help you live longer — and the wellness habits that might be doing more harm than good. We start with the science behind the 14 foods linked to better brain, gut, and heart health. From oats and olive oil to beetroot, berries and black tea, this is one list that’s actually worth paying attention to — backed by major new research from Harvard and the World Cancer Research Fund. Then we get into the wellness trend that’s costing Gen Z nearly £2,000 a year — with most people admitting the products don’t even work. We break down what’s behind the spending spike, which supplements are trending, and why more than half of buyers feel misled. Elsewhere in the episode, we unpack the growing concern around forever chemicals in beer, the banned food additive still showing up in thousands of snacks, and the viral “Dubai chocolate” just recalled by the FSA. We also answer your listener question on soy and hormones — what’s fact, what’s myth, and what the science really says. Recommendations: Ginny and Georgia on Netflix The 30 Plan a book about gut health by friend of the show, Catherine Rabess Breast milk jewellery - Rhi had hers made at Mothers Love Jewellery ⁠The Unprocessed Plate by Rhiannon Lambert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Protein is everywhere right now — added to yoghurts, cereals, snack bars and even water. But why has it taken centre stage in the wellness world, and how much do we actually need? In this episode of The Extra Scoop, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Cashin, a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience, to help us make sense of the protein boom. From health claims to beauty industry promises, she breaks down what’s fact, what’s hype, and what really matters when it comes to your protein intake. We look at why protein is essential, how to tell if you’re getting enough, whether plant-based options measure up, and why there’s more to nutrition than just chasing numbers on a label. Whether you're perimenopausal, training for a marathon, or simply trying to eat well, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate protein without the overwhelm. In This Episode, We Cover: Why protein is important and what it actually does for the body The truth behind daily targets — and whether 30g per meal is really necessary The rise of “proteinification” and how diet culture fuels the hype How protein became associated with aesthetics and the ideal body image The difference between complete and incomplete proteins Whether plant-based proteins are just as effective as animal-based sources The real risks (if any) of eating too much protein 3 simple, evidence-based takeaways to help you get what you need — without overthinking it About the Guest:Dr Chris Cashin is a Registered Dietitian, Registered Nutritionist, and Sports Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience. She’s the founder of Cardiff Nutrition Consultancy, has worked with elite athletes at the English Institute of Sport and Sport Wales, and is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Manager for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices