The Nutrition Couch

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.

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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...

Are you eating too much saturated fat without realising it?

In this powerful episode, Leanne and Susie unpack:

• Why saturated fat still matters (even if you’ve moved to low-carb or high-protein)
• The hidden saturated fat sources most people overlook
• The latest science on diabetes risk, insulin resistance, and why gestational diabetes is a huge red flag
• The exact blood tests you need to detect early glucose problems before ...

Are potatoes really bad for you? Can packaged foods still be healthy? What tomato sauce should your kids actually eat?

This week on The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell bust myths and share real-world food advice to help you make better choices without cutting out your favourite meals.

Inside this episode:

The Great Potato Comeback

We unpack the surprising research that links cooled potatoes to better blood...

Do you find yourself saying, "This is hard" when it comes to healthy eating or staying consistent with your goals?

In this empowering episode of The Nutrition Couch, dietitians Susie Burrell and Leanne Ward dive into the uncomfortable truths behind why change feels difficult—and what to do about it.

They break down:

• Why "hard" often just means "emotionally uncomfortable"
• How to reframe your mindset to stop self-sabotagin...

Australia’s leading dietitians, Susie Burrell and Leanne Ward, delve into a pressing health concern: the increasing incidence of aggressive cancers, such as bowel and breast cancer, among young adults. They explore recent research findings, discuss potential lifestyle contributors, and emphasize the importance of early detection and routine health screenings.

Also Featured:

• A novel approach to structuring weekly meal pla...

Whether you’re dealing with a fussy toddler, a snack-obsessed primary schooler or a constantly-hungry teen, feeding kids well can feel like a full-time job. In this special bonus episode of The Nutrition Couch, Susie and Leanne dive deep into the real-life challenges of kids’ nutrition—from daily battles over veggies and treat overload to protein-poor lunchboxes and after-school hunger meltdowns.

To celebrate the ...

In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie dive deep into the world of supplements, uncovering what you actually need at every stage of life. From the essential proteins to fiber, magnesium, and more, they share expert insights on how to tailor your supplementation to your age and health needs. The episode covers common supplement myths, why balance matters, and how to avoid falling for ultra-processed products market...

On today’s episode of The Nutrition Couch, we’re tackling some key topics that many of you are asking about after the Easter break. Feeling sluggish and bloated? Struggling to get back on track with your health goals? We’ve got you covered with expert insights on sustainable weight loss, including the pros and cons of weight loss medications.

Susie and Leanne dive deep into the evolving role of GLP-1 medications (...