The Wellness Scoop

• The Nation’s Health Check, Cortisol Confusion & Stress Hacks

  This week, we’re breaking down the new government data on the UK’s diet, from fibre and fruit and veg to vitamin D and iodine. It’s a clear snapshot of how we’re eating and why some of the most basic habits still aren’t sticking. We share what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what small shifts could help close the gap. We’re also diving into the surprising findings on insect protein. Once seen as a sustainable fix for the future, a new report suggests the environmental impact may be much higher than expected. Then we explore the rise of wearable tech for your brain, with a look at the new e-tattoo that tracks mental load in real time. Helpful tool or step too far? We discuss. Plus, we take on cortisol cocktails. Are they fact or fiction? And what actually works when it comes to managing stress? We share six simple, science-backed habits to support your nervous system. We also unpack the foods that act like drugs when eaten in excess, and what that means for your health. And in this week’s listener question: ghee, butter or olive oil. Which one should you be using in your cooking? Get your copy of Rhi's new book 'The Unprocessed Plate' HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• "The 14 Foods to Eat Every Week" & the £2,000 Wellness Trap

  This week, we’re diving into the foods that could help you live longer — and the wellness habits that might be doing more harm than good. We start with the science behind the 14 foods linked to better brain, gut, and heart health. From oats and olive oil to beetroot, berries and black tea, this is one list that’s actually worth paying attention to — backed by major new research from Harvard and the World Cancer Research Fund. Then we get into the wellness trend that’s costing Gen Z nearly £2,000 a year — with most people admitting the products don’t even work. We break down what’s behind the spending spike, which supplements are trending, and why more than half of buyers feel misled. Elsewhere in the episode, we unpack the growing concern around forever chemicals in beer, the banned food additive still showing up in thousands of snacks, and the viral “Dubai chocolate” just recalled by the FSA. We also answer your listener question on soy and hormones — what’s fact, what’s myth, and what the science really says. Recommendations: Ginny and Georgia on Netflix The 30 Plan a book about gut health by friend of the show, Catherine Rabess Breast milk jewellery - Rhi had hers made at Mothers Love Jewellery ⁠The Unprocessed Plate by Rhiannon Lambert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• The Extra Scoop: Protein. Myths, Marketing & What You Really Need

  Protein is everywhere right now — added to yoghurts, cereals, snack bars and even water. But why has it taken centre stage in the wellness world, and how much do we actually need? In this episode of The Extra Scoop, we’re joined by Dr. Chris Cashin, a Registered Dietitian and Sports Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience, to help us make sense of the protein boom. From health claims to beauty industry promises, she breaks down what’s fact, what’s hype, and what really matters when it comes to your protein intake. We look at why protein is essential, how to tell if you’re getting enough, whether plant-based options measure up, and why there’s more to nutrition than just chasing numbers on a label. Whether you're perimenopausal, training for a marathon, or simply trying to eat well, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to navigate protein without the overwhelm. In This Episode, We Cover: Why protein is important and what it actually does for the body The truth behind daily targets — and whether 30g per meal is really necessary The rise of “proteinification” and how diet culture fuels the hype How protein became associated with aesthetics and the ideal body image The difference between complete and incomplete proteins Whether plant-based proteins are just as effective as animal-based sources The real risks (if any) of eating too much protein 3 simple, evidence-based takeaways to help you get what you need — without overthinking it About the Guest:Dr Chris Cashin is a Registered Dietitian, Registered Nutritionist, and Sports Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience. She’s the founder of Cardiff Nutrition Consultancy, has worked with elite athletes at the English Institute of Sport and Sport Wales, and is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Manager for the MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Botox, #SkinnyTok & Is All Sugar the Same?

  This week, we’re diving into the slightly shocking (and sometimes surprisingly wholesome) stories shaping our health and habits. We start with TikTok’s decision to ban the hashtag #SkinnyTok, following a viral exposé revealing the darker side of the “skinny girl” aesthetic and the influencer-led community profiting from it. Then there’s new research showing that smiling might be six times more effective than Botox when it comes to attractiveness, raising big questions about beauty standards, confidence, and connection. We also get into the shrinking length of TED Talks, the red meat industry’s influence on heart health studies, and the surprising truth about coconut sugar, agave, and maple syrup. Are any of them actually better for you? Elsewhere in the episode, we cover Britain’s booming banana obsession (and the waste it’s creating), why Scandinavian saunas are strictly nude, and what’s changing in school food. This week’s recommendations The Cut article The Unprocessed Plate by Rhiannon Lambert Your Friends and Neighbours (Apple TV) Sirens (Netflix) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• The Extra Scoop: EMFs, AI, Radiation & the Digital Health Myths We Need to Debunk

  We’re more connected than ever — but is our tech making us healthier, or quietly harming us? In this episode of The Extra Scoop, we’re joined by physicist and cancer researcher Dr David Robert Grimes to unpack what the science really says about technology and our health — from EMFs and mobile phones to AirPods, microwaves, AI, and the platforms that shape our daily lives. Dr Grimes explores why viral misinformation spreads so easily, how social media is rewiring our emotional responses, and why he compares today’s tech giants to the tobacco industry. We also dig into the long-term risks of algorithm-driven platforms and ask whether fear around radiation and devices is rooted in real science — or modern health anxiety. This is a conversation that cuts through the noise, challenges fear-based narratives, and empowers you to think more critically in a digital-first world. In This Episode, We Cover: Whether phones, AirPods and microwaves pose any physical health risks What the research says about EMFs and 5G The rise of misinformation — and why social media may be the new tobacco The long-term impact of AI and algorithm-driven tech on learning and mental health The real cost of constant outrage and viral content Simple ways to spot health misinformation and protect your wellbeing online How to stay informed without falling into fear About the Guest:Dr David Robert Grimes is a physicist, cancer researcher and science writer with a PhD in medical physics. His work focuses on misinformation, public health and science communication. He writes for The Guardian, The Irish Times and BBC Future, and is the author of The Irrational Ape, which explores why we believe falsehoods — and how to think more clearly in a world of misinformation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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