Healthy Habits Happy Homes

We are excited to present a special episode as the final episode of our season! This episode was created by fourth-year nutrition students at the University of Guelph as part of their Nutrition Communication course and was selected as the top podcast episode. Tune in to hear this fantastic episode from students Dawn and Daniel as they dive into all things fibre!

As warmer weather approaches, so does tick season. In this episode, we are joined by researcher Justin Wood. Justin works at the University of Guelph’s Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Laboratory and is the founder of Geneticks, where he focuses on developing diagnostics for tick-borne diseases and advancing pathogen research. In this episode, we take a deep dive into ticks, Lyme disease, and practi...

You may have noticed new labels popping up on some of your favourite snacks but what are they, what do they actually mean, and how can they help you make more informed choices? In this episode of Healthy Habits, Happy Homes, we break down everything you need to know about front-of-package labelling in Canada. Joined by PhD candidate, Emily Ziraldo, from the University of Toronto, we explore what t...

Join us for this episode as we explore the timely and widely discussed topic of social media and its effects on the brain. With platforms becoming an ever-present part of young people’s daily lives, many are asking: Why are these platforms so addictive, and how are they influencing brain development? From the pull of endless scrolling to the phenomenon of “doomscrolling,” we unpack what is really...

Vaping. Smoking. Nicotine. What’s actually going on with teens today? In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Nicholas Chadi MD, a pediatrician and adolescent medicine expert, for a thoughtful and evidence-based conversation about vaping and teens. While this topic can feel complicated, it’s an important conversation to hear. We explore how vaping differs from smoking, why many teens are vaping, and...

Join us for this awesome episode all about fibre with none other than the Queen of Fibre herself, Mairlyn Smith. Mairlyn is a professional home economist and food writer, and a familiar face on Cityline and Breakfast Television. With a background in acting, she brings humour and warmth to everything she does including this episode. We dive into what fibre is, why it matters, and share practical, e...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Evan Fraser, Director of the Arrell Food Institute and global leader in understanding agri-food tech, climate change, and the future of food. Join us for an engaging and eye-opening conversation about where our food really comes from and where it's headed. We chat about what a 'food system' actually means from farm to fork, and why families play such an import...

In this episode, we are exploring one of the most talked-about concepts today: AI. More specifically, we are diving into how tools like ChatGPT are impacting kids’ learning and development. We’re joined by Dr. Tiffany Munzer, MD, a developmental–behavioral pediatrician and digital media researcher at the University of Michigan. Together, we break down AI integration in daily life and what this mea...

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Alejandra Villalobos, a dedicated geriatrician with over 18 years of experience caring for older adults. From her early work providing home visits to seniors in underserved communities in the Bronx to her current role at Mackenzie Health in Richmond Hill, Dr. Villalobos has spent her career championing dignity, independence, and quality of life for aging adult...

We’re kicking off a brand-new season with fresh voices and exciting conversations! In this welcome episode, meet our new co-hosts, Manahil Zaid and Heemani Bhatt, both Masters students in Applied Nutrition. Get to know them, hear about their journeys, and learn what inspires their approach to health and wellness. We also chat about the vision for this season and what listeners can look forward to...

We have a bittersweet announcement here at the Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast. Our fabulous co-hosts, Tamara and Marciane, are stepping away and moving onto other wonderful opportunities. For the past 3 years, Tamara and Marciane have brought their curiosity, warmth and excitement to our soundwaves. We are so grateful to have had them contribute to our team and make the podcast what it is now....

In this episode, we are excited to share some awesome work from students at the University of Guelph. These two podcasts were created by students in the course NUTR*4070: Nutrition Communication and Knowledge Translation, in the fall semester of 2024. The two podcasts cover the important topics of sleep and TikTok usage among youth and teens. It is our pleasure to share these well researched and e...

In this episode, we sat down with Lisa Sanvido. Lisa is currently the Vice Principal at John F. Ross CVI and the Vice President of the Learning Disabilities Association of Wellington County’s Board of Directors. She is an educator with a deep passion for supporting students with learning differences and has dedicated her career to ensuring that every student has access to the tools and resources t...

In this episode, we were joined by Dr. Marsha Hinds Myrie. Dr. Hinds is an Adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science and an Educational Developer, specializing in Anti-Oppressive and Inclusive Pedagogies in the Office of Teaching and Learning, at the University of Guelph. With over 20 years of experience in education, Dr. Hinds is committed to creating equitable, inclusive spaces. M...

In this episode, we chatted with Dr. Kristel Thomassin about how parents can help their family better manage anxiety. Dr. Thomassin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Director of the Child Emotion and Mental Health Lab at the University of Guelph. In her work, she studies how the family impacts children’s emotional development. Be sure not to miss out on this episode...

In this episode we chatted with Cory Silverberg. Cory is a sex educator, author, and queer person who smiles a lot when they talk. Cory teaches and talks with young people, adults, and professionals across North America about gender, sexuality, disability, and more. Their books for young people and families have been called “the books about sex that every family should read” by the New York Times...

In this episode, we chatted with Rosanne Robinson and Cara Kasdorf! Rosanne and Cara are both Registered Dietitians, and co-owners of Blueprint Nutrition, a virtual nutrition counselling, consulting and online education practice specializing in child and adolescent nutrition, as well as sport nutrition for youth and adult athletes. Through their work, Rosanne and Cara support families, kids and at...

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Brock Williams. Dr. Brock Williams is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with the Division of Allergy at the University of British Columbia. He completed his PhD in Human Nutrition at the University of British Columbia and has worked as a Registered Dietitian in a variety of research and clinical roles. His primary research and clinical interests lie in food allergy...

In this episode we chatted with Rahbika Ashraf! Rahbika is a PhD Candidate in the lab of Dr. David Ma. She studies the the anti-breast-cancer potential of omega-3 fatty acids, and the effect of sugars and ultra-processed foods on diet. Don't miss listening in on this great conversation!

In this episode, we chatted with Robin Taub. Robin is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) with a long history of working in the financial industry. Currently, she is a keynote speaker and an award-winning author. Her latest book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life, gives parents the information, strategies and inspiration the...

In this episode, we chatted with Panuya Athithan. Panuya is a Ph. D. student at the University of Guelph. She works in the lab of Dr. Emma Allen-Vercoe, studying the gut microbiome of infants, children and adults. We spoke to her about kids gut health, and the ways parents can support their child's gut health.

In today's episode of Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast, we are delighted to have Timothy Caulfield, a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the School of Public Health, the Research Director of the Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta, and Canadian Research Chair in Health Law and Policy. Tim delves into challenging myths and misconceptions in health and science, drawing on his extens...

In this week’s episode, we are delighted to feature Nicole Osinga, a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator. Nicole joins us in discussing the influence of social media on family diets and the significant responsibility of online influencers in disseminating health information. For more insights and tips from Nicole, follow her @nicoleosinga_rd.

This week, we have a special and unique Healthy Habits Happy Homes podcast episode featuring the excellent work of three groups of fourth year Applied Human Nutrition students. These students were given the opportunity to conceptualize and develop a podcast episode as part of their fourth year Nutrition Education course. In today’s lineup, we feature the insightful contributions of Anika Saini, To...

In this week’s episode, we are joined by Dr. Amar Laila, a post-doctoral fellow with the EAT-Lancet 2.0 Commission and the Guelph Family Health Study. Dr. Laila shares insights on the role of fathers in mealtimes, discussing their influence on children's development, their unique contributions to family dynamics, and offering strategies for fathers to become more actively involved. Tune in for an...