The Nutrition Couch

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 your health habits matter most.

Insid...

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 Woolies pantry hack we genuinely rate: L...

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 over perfection, and laser in on...

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” pack that looks better than it reall...

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 Australians are consuming almost tri...

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) you really need to sit in t...

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 to feel satisfied without blow...

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 verdict on protein water.

What you&rsqu...

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 weight goals.

• Why early experienc...

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 back — and how to break them ...

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. We unpack the growing number of B6 to...

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 brands that pass the dietitian test.

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 suggests a low-fat vegan diet might ...

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, and weigh in on whether the govern...

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 probiotics and greens powders)...

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
• The link between GLP-1 medicatio...

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, and prevent rebound bingeing. Lea...

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 — especially if you’ve got l...

Are you paying $90 for "influencer-approved" collagen or magnesium blends (that cost just cents to make)?

In this explosive episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell expose the truth behind overpriced wellness supplements — including why some $90 “hot chocolates” and $5-per-serve hydration drinks are nothing more than marketing spin.

Then, they unpack new research that’s a game...