The Wellness Scoop

Hormones, Healthy Mornings & The Truth About Sugar

This week we're answering your questions on some of the biggest areas of confusion in nutrition and wellbeing. We're discussing how diet can support hormonal health, from PCOS and amenorrhea to hormonal acne, and exploring how to care for your microbiome while taking a GLP-1 medication. We also unpack the growing conversation around fibre and digestion, including what it means if seeds seem to pass through your body intact and whether prebiotic sodas are really as gut-friendly as they're marketed to be. Plus, we're tackling the conflicting advice around healthy mornings and sugar. Does breakfast really need to be high in protein? Is coffee on an empty stomach a problem? And should fruit only be eaten alongside meals to avoid glucose spikes? As always, we're cutting through the noise to focus on what the evidence actually says. To get 30-days free on The Way App, head to thewayapp.com/wellnessscoop  Recommendations:  ⁠Likalix Ice Creams!⁠ ⁠Rhitrition+ Food Freedom Course⁠ ⁠Park Yoga⁠ Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fixing Brain Rot, The 'Maxxing Obsession & Is Cereal Junk Food?

Is Bran Flakes really junk food? Are our attention spans under threat? And have we reached peak optimisation culture?  This week we unpack the government's proposed changes to healthy eating guidelines, which could see breakfast cereals like Bran Flakes classified as HFSS foods, and explore what the debate reveals about fibre, free sugars and how we define healthy eating. We also dive into new research on doomscrolling, TikTok and attention spans, including the surprising activity that may help strengthen our ability to focus. Plus, from slowmaxxing and joymaxxing to spermaxxing and nonnamaxxing, we explore the internet's latest wellness obsession and ask whether the drive to optimise everything is finally starting to backfire. Drop Gabrielle an email to sign up as a research participant: G.Humphreys2@salford.ac.uk To get 30-days free on The Way App, head to thewayapp.com/wellnessscoop Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up here to check out Rhitrition+ new Food Freedom course: ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Food Guilt, IV Drips, Matcha Shortages & Healthy Ageing

This week we're talking about food guilt, supplements and the growing pressure to optimise our health. We explore how to break free from all-or-nothing eating, whether social media is distorting our perception of what healthy living actually looks like, and why some of the most powerful habits for healthy ageing are often the simplest. We also unpack the rise of IV vitamin drips, discuss whether coconut or soy yoghurt is the better choice, answer your questions on vitamin D supplementation, peanut butter powder and matcha, and share practical advice on raising adventurous eaters and reducing food waste at home To get 30-days free on The Way App, head to thewayapp.com/wellnessscoop Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up here to check out Rhitrition+ new Food Freedom course: ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The ’Best’ Five-a-Day, Strength Training & Sleepmaxxing

Are all fruit and vegetables created equal? This week, we explore the new research suggesting that flavanol-rich foods like berries, apples, green tea and broad beans may be some of the most powerful additions to your diet, with potential benefits for heart health, brain health and even longevity. We also unpack the surprising impact of weight-loss drugs on Britain's food industry, after new figures suggested GLP-1 medications have already wiped £780 million from grocery spending and are beginning to reshape supermarket shelves. Plus, the strength training sweet spot linked to a longer life, and the wellness trends taking over America, from cortisol cocktails and sleepmaxxing to salt therapy and t'ai chi walking. kickbigsodaout.org Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Secrets of the food industry, Plant Protein & Healthy Ice Cream

This week we're answering your questions, from how to be more present when meditation just isn't your thing to whether breathwork can really help calm a busy mind.We also unpack the truth about mycoprotein and whether foods like Quorn deserve their ultra-processed reputation, discuss practical ways to increase plant diversity without spending a fortune, answer your questions on navigating a coeliac diagnosis, explore the surprising benefits of blackcurrants and gooseberries, and share our favourite healthier ice cream options for summer. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rising Cost of Healthy Eating, Beach Body Anxiety & Peak Optimisation

This week, we discuss one of the most important reports in UK nutrition, revealing that healthy diets remain out of reach for many families while unhealthy foods continue to dominate our food environment. We also explore the rise of sleep anxiety, why body image concerns are stopping young people from enjoying everyday experiences, and the Steven Bartlett controversy that has sparked a backlash against wellness culture, health trackers and the relentless pursuit of self-optimisation Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can You Be Healthy and Thin? Hair Loss & Wellness Pressure

Can you be healthy and thin? It's a question that sparked a fascinating listener email this week, and one that opens up a much bigger conversation about body image, weight, wellness culture and what health really looks like.We're also answering your questions on hair loss during perimenopause, nutrition and autism, fibre-rich eating with a nut allergy, vitamin D supplements, air fryer safety, GLP-1 medications and the pressure many people feel to optimise every aspect of their health. With special thanks to Dr. Federica Amati. Pre-order her new book, The Appetite Reset HERE Some brilliant professionals and resources for nutrition and neurodivergent: Dr Megan Anna Neff The Neurodivergent Woman Podcast ARFID Awareness UK Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Weight Gain Warnings, Healthy Ageing & 35 Supplements a Day

Could gaining weight in your twenties affect your health decades later? This week, we unpack a major new study linking early adult weight gain with a higher risk of several cancers, and explore what it really means for long-term health. We also dive into the growing conversation around healthy ageing. Are constant snacking, refined carbohydrates and late-night meals ageing us faster than we realise? Plus, why Zone 2 exercise is having a moment, Slovenia's new dietary guidelines, the latest concerns around social media and children's health, and Kim Kardashian's revelation that she takes 35 supplements a day. Is more always better when it comes to wellness? Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠⁠Rhitrition+⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Health Anxiety, Food Scanner Apps & Our Favourite Summer Recipes

This week we answer your questions on health anxiety, food scanner apps and the rise of fear-based wellness advice online. We unpack the controversy around food scanning apps and scoring systems, alongside the science of fermented foods, gut health and whether kefir is really worth the hype. Plus, we talk summer BBQ recipes, joint health, the best time to eat, and the small everyday habits that actually matter for long-term wellbeing. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ Recommendations: Listener Jody recommends, Off Campus Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors My Name is Emilia Del Valle by Isabel Allende The Kylie Minogue Doc on Netflix For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Hours of Exercise a Week? The Omega-3 Debate & Brain-Boosting Beans

This week we unpack the huge headlines around omega-3 supplements and whether fish oils are really as protective for brain health as we once thought. We also explore fascinating new research on exercise and heart health, including the amount of movement linked to the biggest cardiovascular benefits. Plus, why beans may be one of the most underrated foods for mood, gut and brain health, the science behind the gut–brain connection, and why Gen Z has suddenly become obsessed with pickles. For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Reason Healthy Habits Fail, Food Guilt & Nervous Systems

This week we’re unpacking why knowing what’s healthy and actually doing it can feel like two completely different things. From all-or-nothing eating patterns to wellness overwhelm and habit burnout, we explore why sustainable health is often much more about nervous system support, flexibility and consistency than perfection. We also discuss food guilt, sugar cravings, breathwork for beginners, kefir versus yogurt, sustainable omega-3s and how to build habits that genuinely support your mood and energy without becoming restrictive or performative. Plus, we share thoughts on puzzles, bees, burnout, friendship and the surprisingly confronting “Four Burners Theory.” Recommendations: Listener Julia recommends The History of Bees by Maja Lunde, a beautiful work of fiction that weaves together three storylines across different time periods — all connected through bees and what their disappearance means for humanity. For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠⁠Rhitrition+⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anti-Ageing Foods, The Science of Food Preferences & Stacey Face

This week we’re discussing whether children’s taste preferences actually begin developing before birth, after a fascinating study found babies exposed to vegetables in the womb appeared more accepting of those flavours years later. We also unpack new research suggesting olive oil, berries and coffee may help support healthier ageing at a cellular level through their impact on telomeres, the protective caps linked to biological ageing. We also dive into the surprising old wives’ tales science says may actually be true, from cranberry juice helping prevent UTIs to why hot tea can cool you down and whether an apple a day really does help keep the doctor away. And in What’s Trending in Wellness, we explore the rise of “Stacey Face” and female looksmaxxing: the growing world of AI beauty-rating apps, teenage girls uploading selfies for attractiveness scores, and the increasingly dystopian collision of beauty culture, algorithms and artificial intelligence. For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠⁠Rhitrition+⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Your “Healthy” Snacks Actually Better for You? Air Fryers & Viral Myths

This week we’re unpacking some of the biggest wellness questions and food fears taking over the internet right now. Are lentil crisps actually healthier than standard crisps? Are air fryers really toxic? And is coconut oil genuinely good for us, or just clever wellness marketing? We also dive into the yogurt hierarchy — kefir, Greek, skyr or natural — discuss algae-based omega-3 supplements, soy and hormones, and the growing confusion around what “healthy” really means online. Plus, we chat sleep deprivation, meditation training, dance classes, charity shop puzzles and the joy of wonky veg boxes. For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠⁠Rhitrition+⁠⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6p Superfoods, 8,241 Steps for Better Health & The Salty Sandwich Debate

This week we’re diving into the sandwich headlines taking over the news, after reports that one high street sandwich contains more salt than nearly five McDonald’s cheeseburgers. Rhi gives us the inside story from the latest Action on Salt research, why out-of-home lunches are often saltier than we realise, and how confusing nutrition comparisons can become when we reduce foods down to one nutrient. We also discuss the surprising health case for humble carrots, the fascinating study linking arts and culture to slower biological ageing, and the oddly specific number of daily steps researchers say may help people maintain weight loss long term. Plus, we unpack the latest wellness trends — from smart underwear designed to track your flatulence in real time, to an orchestra that performs entirely on vegetable instruments. For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠⁠Rhitrition+⁠⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fruit Sugar, Plant Diversity & When Healthy Tracking Turns Unhealthy

This week we answer some of your most thoughtful questions yet, from whether fruit sugar is actually something we should worry about, to how to approach calorie tracking if you’ve struggled with obsessive thoughts around food in the past. We also discuss sausages, healthier swaps, whether chia seeds really need soaking, how to build plant diversity while batch cooking, and whether you can still thrive nutritionally if you don’t enjoy fruit. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ Recommendations: Garden inspo from Shirley Kemp Ella recommends giant cous-cous Listener Jenny recommends Sarah Ockwell-Smith's new book 'How To Raise a Gentle Man' For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Natural Ozempic, Peptide Clinics & What’s Really Driving Hunger

This week we unpack the science of appetite and what really drives us to eat: hunger, stress, habit, reward or simply the food environment around us. We discuss why eating well is far more complex than willpower alone, and the idea of “food-mind fluency.” We also break down the controversy around plant milks and children’s health, exploring the nutritional differences between dairy and plant based alternatives, plus the environmental trade offs. Plus, could aspirin really help prevent cancer? We look at the remarkable new research linking the common painkiller to reduced colorectal cancer risk and why some countries are already changing guidance for high risk groups. In What’s Trending in Wellness, we investigate the rise of peptides, NAD+ and injectable wellness therapies, before asking whether “natural Ozempic” is actually possible or just another oversimplified social media trend. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Burnout, Partner Diet Drama & The Smoothie Myth

This week’s Q&A covers some of the most relatable health questions. We talk about how to approach a partner’s diet when you’re worried but not being heard, what to prioritise in a teenage pescatarian diet, and why stress habits like chewing gum can be so hard to shift. We also unpack the banana and berry smoothie myth, share simple ways to support insulin resistance, and explore what actually helps when recovering from burnout, plus whether ginger shots are worth it. Recommendations: The Morning Show on Apple TV Warm salads in summer Meditating with music. Rhi recommends Howard Shore and John Barry. From listener Bryony: 1-2-3 Pancakes - 1 banana (mashed), 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons oats. Super easy, mixed together and fried. Listener Kate says, 'don't pull up dandelions' as they provide food for insects and keep our environment healthy. She adds: 'We need to retrain our brains to see wild flowers as valuable plants, not weeds!' Ella's book recommendation: 'Consider Yourself Kissed' by Jessica Stanley For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Britain’s Health SOS, Stress & The Cortisol Craze

This week we unpack a sobering picture of the UK’s health, with new data showing we’re living fewer years in good health and falling behind much of the developed world. We revisit school food standards and how countries like France and Japan are approaching nutrition in a completely different way, before diving into what’s really driving the UK’s decline, from diet to wider lifestyle patterns. We also break down the new “smoke-free generation” bill, rising costs for vaping, and what prevention actually looks like in practice. And finally, we explore the cortisol conversation taking over social media, and what genuinely helps when it comes to managing stress in a realistic, sustainable way. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ For more from Rhi and Ella:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Food Noise, Breaking the Craving Cycle & 2-Minute Habits

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we answer your questions on some of the most complex and personal areas of health, from food noise and emotional eating to how to build habits that actually fit into real life. We break down what’s really driving cravings for ultra-processed foods and how to gently step out of that cycle, explore how to approach emotional eating with more compassion and structure, and look at what a realistic, holistic approach to wellness actually looks like when you’re balancing work, family and everything else. We also unpack what truly supports skin health beyond expensive routines, how to use food to support joint health and reduce inflammation, and share simple ways to bring more flavour and variety into everyday meals. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠ Recommendations:  At Home With The Furys on Netflix Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Walnuts in sourdough and Citizens of Soil subscription (from listener Sasha) The British Quinoa Company (courtesy of listener Bridget) The Way meditation app Find out more on Rhi and Ella: Check out Dr. Thivi's book, SkinFood: Your 4-Step Solution to Healthy, Happy Skin Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When to Exercise, Gut Health Clues & The Cost of “Perfect”

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we explore some of the most thought-provoking shifts in health right now, from how timing your workouts could impact your heart, to what your gut might reveal about disease risk years before symptoms begin, and the growing pressure around appearance in the age of social media. We break down new research on chronotypes and why aligning exercise with your body clock may improve key markers of health, before diving into emerging science linking the gut microbiome to early signs of Parkinson’s disease. We also revisit the darker side of “looksmaxxing,” with rising concerns around steroid use and the long-term health risks tied to the pursuit of a certain physique. Plus, we explore the rise of low-light evening rituals designed to help us properly switch off, and the snack tin trend, a simple but telling shift towards more flexible, varied and enjoyable ways of eating. Are you a lark or an owl? Find out ⁠HERE⁠ Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠⁠ Recommendations:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to the wait list for ⁠⁠Rhitrition+⁠⁠ Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code Scoop at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/scoop/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Building Muscle, Protein vs Fibre & The Supplement Trap

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we answer your questions on some of the most common and confusing nutrition topics, from how much protein you actually need to build muscle to whether everyday foods like flaxseeds are as straightforward as they seem. We break down the protein conversation and how to balance it with fibre without overdoing it, explore whether protein powders are worth it, unpack the confusion around toddler snacks and Greek vs Greek-style yoghurt, look at the safety and benefits of flaxseeds, question iodine and seaweed supplement trends, and share simple, realistic ways to support your gut during and after antibiotics. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠ Recommendations:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to the wait list for ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Protein Divide, The Optimism Effect & Britain’s Favourite Veg

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we unpack some of the biggest conversations shaping how we think about health right now, from what we should actually be eating for heart health to the growing evidence that mindset plays a measurable role in physical wellbeing. We break down the clash between new US dietary guidelines and heart health advice, exploring the debate around plant vs animal protein, red meat and saturated fats. We also dive into the science of optimism and why a more positive outlook is linked to better cardiovascular health, sleep and immunity. Plus, we look at Britain’s favourite vegetables and what they’re really doing for your health, before finishing with the rising trend of cosmeticorexia and what it reveals about our relationship with appearance. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠ Recommendations:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to the wait list for ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How to Beat the Afternoon Slump, Breakfast Myths & Food Pairing

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we answer your questions on some of the most common and confusing everyday health habits, from that mid-afternoon energy crash to whether cold breakfasts really slow your metabolism. We break down why the 2 to 3pm slump happens and how to manage it, unpack viral nutrition myths around hot versus cold breakfasts and food pairing, explore whether nutritional yeast is a reliable source of B12, look at what actually feeds your gut microbiome, and share simple, realistic ways to eat well when you’re unwell. Recommendations:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sign up to the wait list for ⁠Rhitrition+⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Best Foods for Brain & Gut Health + The Social Media Reckoning

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we explore what’s shaping our health from both a biological and cultural perspective, from the foods that support our brain and gut to the systems influencing how we think, feel and behave every day. We revisit our conversation on screen time with new data showing just how fast modern children’s content has become, look at shifting attitudes towards social media as trust and engagement decline, and unpack emerging research suggesting microplastics may have been overestimated in some cases. We then dive into the science behind the MIND diet and its link to slower brain ageing and reduced dementia risk, alongside a practical breakdown of the best foods to support your gut and the ones to limit. Finally, we explore a landmark trial holding Meta and Google accountable for mental health harm, and what this could mean for the future of social media. Recommendations:  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Eating for Colds, Digestion Hacks & Why Weight Won’t Shift

What should you actually eat when you’re unwell and don’t have the energy to cook? Do viral digestion hacks really improve how your body absorbs nutrients, or are they just adding more confusion? And why can weight stay the same even when you’re eating well, exercising and doing everything “right”? This week, we break down the science behind a viral digestion claim, share simple, realistic ways to nourish your body when you’ve got a cold, and explore the nuance between nutrient density and energy balance when it comes to weight. We also unpack the ongoing debate around seed oils, looking at what the evidence actually says versus what’s being amplified online, and highlight the benefits of everyday foods like quinoa. A practical, myth-busting episode focused on helping you eat well, feel better and stop overthinking the small stuff. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to: hello@wellness-scoop.com  Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Minutes to Change Your Health & Olive Oil Shots: Hype or Health?

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we explore the small shifts that can have a surprisingly big impact on long-term health, starting with new research showing how just 11 extra minutes of sleep, alongside simple daily habits, could meaningfully reduce heart attack risk. We unpack a major shift in the weight loss landscape as GLP-1 drugs begin to fall dramatically in price, and what that could mean for access, demand and how these medications are used globally. We also look at the wider cultural impact already emerging, from changing body ideals to shifts on the fashion runway and some crazy new aesthetic trends.  We also break down new UK guidance on children’s screen time and what it really means for development, attention and sleep, alongside the fast-growing children’s supplement market and why many multivitamins aren’t delivering what parents think they are. Finally, we explore the rise of olive oil and lemon shots, what’s driving the trend, what the science actually says, and whether they’re worth adding into your routine. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠. Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cycle Syncing, Microwaves & Electrolyte Hype

Should we be eating differently across each stage of our cycle? Are microwaves actually harmful, or is it another wellness myth? And do we really need electrolytes, or is it just clever marketing? This week we answer your questions on nutrition for hormone health and PCOS, break down the science behind microwaving and plastic safety, and explore the growing hype around electrolytes. We also talk about how to build a balanced vegetarian diet without over-relying on ultra-processed foods, share trusted menopause resources, and open up about what we’re actually cooking, eating and doing in our own routines right now. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠ The Science of Menopause and The M Word by today's contributor Dr. Phillipa Kaye The Feel Good Fix by Lavina Mehta Just Getting Started by Lisa Snowdon Owning Your Menopause The Power of Menopause and Midlife by Dr Nighat Arif Ella's favourite Foccacia recipe. Ella suggests letting it sit for two hours to prove. Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is Wine Good for You Now? Build a Better Relationship with Food & Stay Sharp

Is wine actually good for you now? It’s a headline that’s everywhere, but what does the research really say? In this episode, we unpack the nuance behind the story, looking at alcohol, longevity and why the bigger picture matters more than any single drink. We also explore how to build a healthier, more balanced relationship with food, moving away from rigid rules towards a way of eating that feels sustainable, enjoyable and supportive of long-term health. Plus, a fascinating new study on “super-agers” offers a hopeful perspective on brain health, suggesting that staying mentally sharp for longer may be more possible than we think. An uplifting, empowering episode focused on helping you feel good, think clearly and support your wellbeing. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠. Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Screens at Meals, The Ultimate Healthy Shopping List & Too Much Fibre?

Does eating in front of screens really affect digestion? What would the ultimate healthy shopping list actually look like? And can you eat too much fibre, even when you’re trying to eat well? This week we answer your questions on building a balanced, nutrient-rich food shop, whether very high fibre diets have any downsides, and the science behind eating while distracted and how it may influence digestion. We also explore some of the small wellness myths circulating online and break down the practical habits that actually support long-term health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Foods That Boost Your Mood, Optimal Sleep & WTF is Looksmaxxing

Can what you eat really shape how you feel day to day? What’s the ideal amount of sleep for long-term health? And how much of our disease risk is influenced by everyday habits? This week, we break down new research linking flavonoid-rich foods to better mood and long-term wellbeing, the optimal sleep window for supporting blood sugar control and reducing diabetes risk, and a major global study showing how lifestyle factors are shaping breast cancer rates. We also unpack the rise of looksmaxxing — the viral trend redefining self-improvement, appearance and pressure for the next generation. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to ⁠hello@wellness-scoop.com⁠. Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Order your copy of Rhi's book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices