Selfdom

Why are so many women iron deficient, and are we overlooking the signs our bodies are giving us?
Today on Selfdom, I’m joined by leading nutritional biochemist Dr Libby Weaver to unpack one of the most common health issues affecting women: iron deficiency.
We explore the difference between low ferritin, iron deficiency and anaemia, the symptoms women often dismiss as “normal,” and the role of menstruation, diet, gut health and iron absorption.
Dr Libby also explains why iron needs increase during pregnancy, what women should know about supplementation and iron infusions, and why ongoing exhaustion, particularly postpartum, can sometimes deserve further investigation.
This episode is about helping women better understand their bodies, ask the right questions and feel empowered when it comes to their health.
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Iron for a day: notes
Please note, this is not a prescribed day (unless it appeals). It is simply to demonstrate how much food, as well as the focus, that is required to obtain the minimum daily requirement for iron to prevent deficiency across the menstruation years when the RDI is 18mg. If periods are heavy or the woman is an athlete or trains like one, her requirements will be even greater. Also, those who eat vegetarian or vegan require 1.8x the RDI to account for lower iron bioavailability since their intake of inhibitory substances is typically higher (e.g. phytic acid, oxalic acid) and all of their iron is in non-haem form.
Omnivorous eater – iron
2 eggs = 1.7mg
1 cup raw spinach (~30g) = 0.5mg
½ tomato = 0.2mg
2 slices good quality bread = 1.3mg
30g cashews = 1.5mg
1 banana = 0.3mg
200g tinned line-caught tuna = 2.2mg
½ cup cooked kidney beans = 1.8mg
1 cup cooked brown rice = 0.8mg
100g mixed vegetables = 0.6mg
2 dried figs = 0.6mg
200g cooked beef or lamb = ~6mg (varies depending on cut; some higher, some lower)
½ cup broccoli = 0.5mg
1 medium potato = 0.6
Total = 18.6mg
Vegetarian/vegan eater – iron
100g muesli with dried fruit and nuts = 4.6mg (the cereal is fortified with synthetic iron)
30g cashews = 1.5mg
1 banana = 0.3mg
1 cup cooked chickpeas = 2.9mg
½ cup broccoli= 0.5mg
1 cup cooked quinoa = 2mg
30g walnuts = 0.8mg
1 slice good quality bread = 0.7mg
1 tbsp peanut butter = 0.3mg
100g firm tofu = 2.9mg
1 cup raw spinach = 0.5mg
100g mixed vegetables = 0.6mg
1 cup cooked brown rice = 0.8mg
Total = 18.4mg (but RDI is really 32.4mg for vegan/vegetarian eaters)
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Joining me today is Sheridan Joy Austin, qualified nutritionist, GAPS practitioner and founder of Foraged For You, a brand dedicated to supporting women through pregnancy and postpartum with nutrient-dense, thoughtfully formulated products.
Pregnancy nutrition can feel incredibly overwhelming. One expert tells you to avoid certain foods, another encourages them, and social media is filled with conflicting advice. In this episode, Sheridan helps us unpack the science behind some of the biggest conversations in pregnancy nutrition so you can feel more informed and empowered.
We discuss the differences between folic acid, folate and folinic acid, whether nutrient-dense foods like liver and oysters really deserve their bad reputation, the role of healthy fats, iodine, magnesium and iron during pregnancy, and why nutrition should never be a one-size-fits-all approach.
We also chat about glucose tolerance testing, postpartum recovery, how to navigate conflicting nutrition advice online, and the story behind why Sheridan created Foraged For You after recognising a gap in the market for truly nourishing pregnancy and postpartum products.
As always, this episode is designed to educate and empower. Every pregnancy is unique, so we encourage you to speak with your healthcare team about what is right for you.
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How do you turn something you genuinely love into a brand that reaches millions of people?
Today on Selfdom, I’m joined by Emica Penklis, naturopath, nutritionist and founder of Loco Love, to hear the story behind one of Australia’s most loved conscious chocolate brands.
Long before Loco Love became the brand it is today, Emica’s own health journey led her to study naturopathy and nutrition, explore meditation and rethink her relationship with food. Eventually, her love of cacao and creating chocolate with her hands evolved into something much bigger.
We talk about the early days of Loco Love, building a business before functional foods and conscious wellness became mainstream, the moments Emica wanted to give it all up, her biggest business lessons and how she has protected the integrity of the brand as it has grown.
This is a conversation about trusting your intuition, building with purpose and what can happen when you turn something you deeply believe in into a business.
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As I near the end of my pregnancy, I’m sharing 10 of the biggest lessons the past nine months have taught me, and surprisingly, most of them have very little to do with pregnancy.
From redefining what it actually means to be “healthy” and letting go of perfection, to learning to slow down, ask for help, prioritise sleep and move my body without aesthetics being the goal, pregnancy has completely changed the way I think about wellness.
I also chat about our obsession with optimisation, why ordering the “healthiest” thing on the menu isn’t always the healthiest choice, the importance of food and supplementation, authenticity online and why I have more respect for mothers than ever before.
Whether you’re pregnant or not, I hope this episode encourages you to slow down, listen to your body and remember that enjoying your life is part of being healthy too.
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Bringing home a newborn can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to sleep. In this episode, paediatrician Dr Daniel Golshevsky (Dr Golly) shares the number one thing every new parent should know before their baby arrives, practical newborn sleep hacks that actually work, and how to build healthy sleep habits without fear or unrealistic expectations.
We also dive into why putting the mother first during the postpartum period isn't selfish, it's essential. From managing sleep deprivation to supporting your mental health and navigating the early weeks with more confidence, this conversation is packed with evidence-based advice that every expecting and new parent needs to hear.
Whether you're pregnant, preparing for birth or already in the newborn bubble, this episode will leave you feeling calmer, more informed and far less alone.
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