The Nutrition Couch

This week we’re tackling the big one for party season: alcohol. Leanne and Susie break down how much is too much , why “just one glass” is rarely one glass, and the simple rules that prevent Christmas weight gain. Inside the episode: The truth about alcohol, hormones and cancer risk Why you might be drinking more than you think Party-season rules to protect sleep, energy and meta...

Are the foods in your trolley really Australian owned, and should you be worried about MSG or that 2-kilo overnight weight jump after a salty meal? In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell unpack how to support Aussie-owned brands, the real story on MSG, and why salt can make the scales jump without you gaining body fat. In this episode, we cover: The Aussie...

This week on The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie unpack three huge topics women are constantly asking about: fasting, constipation, and whether “natural Ozempic” supplements like berberine are worth the hype. First up, they dive into intermittent fasting and why it often backfires for women, especially if you’re training hard, in your perimenopausal years, or constantly battlin...

Most people wait for January to “start fresh” — but the research shows 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. So in this bonus episode, Leanne and Susie flip the script and show you why starting small now is the real secret to lasting results. You’ll learn how to use December to build momentum, not lose it, and how a few simple habits can make 2026 feel compl...

Trying to eat more without gaining weight? Wondering how much protein you actually need — or if you’ve gone overboard? And what about that burning reflux that ruins your sleep? In this week’s episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell cut through the confusion with practical, no-BS advice that real women can use every day. Here’s what you&rsquo...

Kick off summer without blowing your goals. In this episode, Leanne and Susie show you how to enjoy Aussie barbecues while keeping calories, carbs and salt in check — plus the truth about “everyday electrolytes” and a frank review of a trending high-protein pasta. We finish with easy, kid-approved breakfast ideas for fussy eaters. What you’ll learn: BBQ pitfalls that quietl...

This week on The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell tackle two big food questions women are asking right now — and the science behind them. Do You Really Need to Ditch the Dinner-Time Carbs? Why so many of us eat rice, pasta and bread on autopilot — and how to know if your body really needs it. Smart swaps to lighten your dinners without cooking two separate meal...

Are you avoiding foods just because you can’t pronounce an ingredient? You’re not alone — but this week, we unpack why obsessing over “seed oils” and additives can sometimes do more harm than good. In this episode, Leanne and Susie explain how to actually read a food label, which additives are worth caring about (and which aren’t), and the 10-year window when yo...

Are supermarket BBQ chickens a smart shortcut or something to avoid? Today, we separate facts from fear — plastic bags, heat lamps, skin vs breast, sodium, additives — and how to enjoy a “chook night” without the blow-outs. We also rant (productively!) about convenient nutrition “rules”, seed-oil panic, and the “natural = healthy” trap. Plus, a Wooli...

If you’ve ever felt “all in” Monday and “off the rails” by Friday, this one’s for you. Leanne and Susie unpack why behaviour change feels hard — and a practical self-coaching framework that actually survives busy seasons, social weekends, and end-of-year chaos. What’s inside: Self-coaching that works: accept that hard is normal, aim for small wins ov...

This week on The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie tackle the question that’s on everyone’s lips: Are Aussie berries safe to eat right now? We break down the new pesticide concerns, what it means for your weekly shop, and how to wash and store berries so they last longer. We also dive into new omega-3 research on muscle health as we age, review a supermarket “light lunch” p...

How much sugar are you really eating each day — and what is it doing to your body? In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Susie and Leanne take a deep dive into the world of sugar and the fast-growing category of sugar alternatives. From coffee syrups and “healthy” bliss balls to slushies, sauces and acai bowls, we expose where hidden sugars are sneaking into your diet and why A...

This week on The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie unpack one of the hottest wellness trends right now: saunas. Could sitting in a sauna a few times a week genuinely lower inflammation, boost recovery, and even add years to your life? The science might surprise you. Inside the episode: The research linking regular sauna use to heart health, longevity and mental wellbeing. How often (and how long)...

Struggling to “be good” at restaurants, scanning every barcode, or wondering why your GLP-1 isn’t moving the dial? In this practical, myth-busting episode, Leanne and Susie unpack three big topics that drive real-world results: 1) Head vs body hunger (how to order smarter when eating out) Ditch “shoulds” that trigger later overeating and learn a simple decision flow t...

If you could lower your long-term dementia risk with everyday food choices, would you do it? This week we unpack new ANU-led research linking higher dietary magnesium with healthier brain ageing, then show you how to close the magnesium gap with real food and smart, practical routines. We also tackle a silent progress-killer for many women, unstructured weekend eating, and finish with a clear verd...

How would you describe your relationship with food? For many women, it’s complicated — shaped by childhood diets, family comments, or decades of restriction that leave deep imprints on how we eat today. In this week’s Nutrition Couch, Susie and Leanne open up the conversation on food trauma : What it is, how it starts, and the hidden ways it can sabotage eating patterns and weigh...

We all have them… those little food habits that creep into our week and quietly derail our goals. Maybe it’s finishing the kids’ lunchbox leftovers, grabbing a sausage sizzle at Bunnings, or rewarding yourself with late-night snacks after dinner. In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell unpack the most common bad food habits holding women...

Do you know what’s really in your supplements… or your sourdough? In today’s episode of The Nutrition Couch , Susie and Leanne dive into four hot-button nutrition topics making waves right now — from vitamin overload to supermarket marketing tricks. Here’s what we cover: 🧠 Supplement overload & B6 toxicity Why more isn’t better when it comes to vitamins. W...

What do our kids actually eat — and is it as healthy as we think? This week on The Nutrition Couch, we unpack brand new research showing that 81% of snacks marketed to children are ultra-processed , raising major concerns about how packaging, peer pressure, and manipulative marketing are shaping kids’ diets. Leanne and Susie share practical advice for parents, including the best snack...

Are 6am HIIT classes in winter actually doing more harm than good? In today’s episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell unpack the rising chatter around early morning workouts, metabolic health, and whether you’re better off staying in bed (especially if you’re freezing, exhausted, or juggling toddlers). Also this week: A surprising new study sugges...

South Australia is rolling out a new policy banning junk food advertising on public transport — but the headlines are causing quite a bit of confusion. Are rice cakes, soy milk, and ham sandwiches really on the banned advertising list? In this episode of The Nutrition Couch , Leanne and Susie break down the facts behind the ad ban, explain why it’s causing so much confusion for parents...

Struggling with winter cravings but don’t want to blow your health goals? Wondering if that expensive gut health supplement is even doing anything? In this week’s episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Susie Burrell and Leanne Ward unpack the real nutrition strategies that actually work — no gimmicks, no fads. On today’s show: Why some gut health supplements (yes, even...

If you’ve ever felt like food is constantly on your mind — even after eating — you’re not imagining it. This week, we unpack the growing phenomenon of food noise and why it’s more than just willpower. Inside this jam-packed episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie dive into: What food noise really is — and why it’s affecting more women than ever Th...

You’ve been told to cut cake, ban wine, and throw out the chips… But what if your favourite soul food is the secret to actually sticking to your weight loss goals? In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie unpack: 🎂 Why eating cake (yes, really) may improve weight loss outcomes New research shows that planned indulgences help reduce cravings, increase satisfaction...

Rice is a pantry staple — but should you be worried about what’s really hiding inside it? In today’s episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie unpack some eye-opening new data on arsenic levels in Australian rice and rice-based snacks. From lunchbox favourites to your sushi roll, we break down the facts, risks, and simple swaps to help you make safer, smarter choices &mdas...