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 little ones.

Also in this episode:
Early puberty in girls: Could diet quality matter more than weight?
Breakfast timing: Should you eat if you’re not hungry in the morning?
Product review: Cauliflower gnocchi — the low-carb swap worth trying?

Whether you’re a health-conscious parent, navigating hormone changes, or just curious about your breakfast habits — this episode is packed with practical, evidence-based advice you can act on straight away.

Rice is a pantry staple &mdash; but should you be worried about what&rsquo;s really hiding inside it?
In today&rsquo;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 &mdash; especially if you&rsquo;ve got little ones.
Also in this episode:
<ul>
<li>Early puberty in girls: Could diet quality matter more than weight?</li>
<li>Breakfast timing: Should you eat if you&rsquo;re not hungry in the morning?</li>
<li>Product review: Cauliflower gnocchi &mdash; the low-carb swap worth trying?</li>
</ul>
Whether you&rsquo;re a health-conscious parent, navigating hormone changes, or just curious about your breakfast habits &mdash; this episode is packed with practical, evidence-based advice you can act on straight away.

Unlock your best health in just 30 minutes a week. Join the thousands of listeners who’ve transformed their lives with The Nutrition Couch, Australia’s top-ranked nutrition podcast. Each Wednesday at 6am AEST, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell deliver powerful, bite-sized advice that’s easy to implement and designed to make healthy living simple and enjoyable.

Ready for a healthier you? Subscribe now and start your journey with actionable tips that fit seamlessly into your busy life. Don’t wait—your path to better health begins here with The Nutrition Couch.

Unlock your best health in just 30 minutes a week. Join the thousands of listeners who’ve transformed their lives with The Nutrition Couch, Australia’s top-ranked nutrition podcast. Each Wednesday at 6am AEST, dietitians Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell deliver powerful, bite-sized advice that’s easy to implement and designed to make healthy living simple and enjoyable.
Ready for a healthier you? Subscribe now and start your journey with actionable tips that fit seamlessly into your busy life. Don’t wait—your path to better health begins here with The Nutrition Couch.

The Nutrition Couch

Welcome to The Nutrition Couch, a weekly podcast from two of Australia’s leading dietitians & nutritionists, Susie Burrell & Leanne Ward. This is the first nutrition podcast that looks at weekly food & health trends. Every Sunday at 7am AEST, we will be uploading an episode that covers nutrition news, trending food products, case studies and we will also be answering our listener questions. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode and follow us on social media @the_nutrition_couch_podcast to ask us questions & see our food product reviews.

This episode of The Nutrition Couch investigates arsenic and microplastics in rice, the link between ultra-processed diets and early puberty in girls, and whether skipping breakfast really hurts your metabolism. Plus, a new cauliflower gnocchi gets the dietitian verdict.

Arsenic in Rice: What Parents Need to Know + Early Puberty & Breakfast Myths Debunked

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/e736713f-97ea-4365-b6a9-b2ff00b40ea6/transcript

You picked the toastie instead of the burger. You got sushi instead of a sandwich. You grabbed rice crackers instead of chips. You are making the healthy choice, right?

Not always. And this week Leanne and Susie are talking about exactly that, the foods that feel like the lighter option but are quietly adding a lot more to your day than you realise. No guilt, just the information you actually need to make better calls when you are busy, hungry, and eating on the run.

In this episode:

The cafe and bakery foods that seem like a sensible choice but regularly clock in at 500 to 700 calories, including the toasted sandwich that is closer to a croissant than you think

Why sushi is not the light lunch most women believe it is, and what is actually happening when you compact that rice into three or four rolls

The rice cracker trap: why 10 rice crackers are nutritionally equivalent to two slices of bread, and which crackers are genuinely worth buying

Why hummus should not be counted as a protein source, and what to eat instead if protein is actually your goal at lunch

The new research linking ADHD and perimenopause: women with ADHD were twice as likely to experience perimenopausal symptoms in a recent European study, and what that means for how this group should be eating through the day

Susie's practical nutrition strategies for women managing both ADHD and perimenopausal symptoms, including why savoury, bulky meals and structured eating windows make a bigger difference than any supplement

A full breakdown of the types of ADHD most commonly seen in adult women, and why the hyperactive young boy stereotype has nothing to do with how it typically presents in women in their 30s, 40s and 50s

The Coles Kitchen Chicken and Corn Soup: 21 grams of protein, under 200 calories, $4.50. Leanne and Susie revisit one of their all-time favourite supermarket finds and explain how to build it into a genuinely complete lunch

Matcha versus coffee versus chai: is matcha actually better for you, or is it just more photogenic? Leanne breaks down the caffeine, L-theanine, and antioxidant research, and gives her honest verdict on the Starbucks matcha latte trend

Shop Designed by Dietitians:

Looking for evidence-based supplements made in Australia by two busy dietitian mums? Visit designedbydietitians.com to explore the full range.

Keep telling your friends about The Nutrition Couch so this show keeps reaching the women who need it most.

You picked the toastie instead of the burger. You got sushi instead of a sandwich. You grabbed rice crackers instead of chips. You are making the healthy choice, right?
Not always. And this week Leanne and Susie are talking about exactly that, the foods that feel like the lighter option but are quietly adding a lot more to your day than you realise. No guilt, just the information you actually need to make better calls when you are busy, hungry, and eating on the run.
In this episode:
The cafe and bakery foods that seem like a sensible choice but regularly clock in at 500 to 700 calories, including the toasted sandwich that is closer to a croissant than you think
Why sushi is not the light lunch most women believe it is, and what is actually happening when you compact that rice into three or four rolls
The rice cracker trap: why 10 rice crackers are nutritionally equivalent to two slices of bread, and which crackers are genuinely worth buying
Why hummus should not be counted as a protein source, and what to eat instead if protein is actually your goal at lunch
The new research linking ADHD and perimenopause: women with ADHD were twice as likely to experience perimenopausal symptoms in a recent European study, and what that means for how this group should be eating through the day
Susie's practical nutrition strategies for women managing both ADHD and perimenopausal symptoms, including why savoury, bulky meals and structured eating windows make a bigger difference than any supplement
A full breakdown of the types of ADHD most commonly seen in adult women, and why the hyperactive young boy stereotype has nothing to do with how it typically presents in women in their 30s, 40s and 50s
The Coles Kitchen Chicken and Corn Soup: 21 grams of protein, under 200 calories, $4.50. Leanne and Susie revisit one of their all-time favourite supermarket finds and explain how to build it into a genuinely complete lunch
Matcha versus coffee versus chai: is matcha actually better for you, or is it just more photogenic? Leanne breaks down the caffeine, L-theanine, and antioxidant research, and gives her honest verdict on the Starbucks matcha latte trend
Shop Designed by Dietitians:
Looking for evidence-based supplements made in Australia by two busy dietitian mums? Visit designedbydietitians.com to explore the full range.
Keep telling your friends about The Nutrition Couch so this show keeps reaching the women who need it most.

Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell call out the everyday foods women think are lighter options but really are not, from toasted sandwiches and sushi to rice crackers and hummus, plus new research on why women with ADHD experience significantly more perimenopausal symptoms and what to eat about it. Also: a 21-gram protein soup for $4.50 that is still one of the best finds in the supermarket, and the honest truth about whether matcha is actually better than coffee.

The "Healthy" Foods That Are Not as Light as You Think: Toasties, Sushi, Rice Crackers and More

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/5e5ac70a-607a-44a9-9a00-b44f00bd6ef8/transcript

The pub has quietly become one of Australia's most budget-friendly options for a family dinner out. And with the cost of groceries where they are right now, that is not going to change any time soon.

But if you are trying to eat well, the pub menu can feel like a minefield. Do you order the salad you do not actually want? Ignore the chips? Feel guilty for choosing the schnitzel?

This week Leanne and Susie are cutting through all of it with their honest, practical, no-guilt guide to eating at the pub, the RSL, and anywhere else that serves a $18 special. Plus they take aim at Subway's new high-protein marketing claims, and the numbers are not pretty.

In this episode:

How to navigate a pub menu without ordering a salad you do not feel like and still ending up hungry an hour later, including the exact strategies Leanne and Susie use themselves

Why splitting a meal is often the smartest move at a pub, and how to do it without missing out on protein

The entrée trap: which pub starters are quietly adding hundreds of calories before your main even arrives, and which ones are genuinely worth ordering

Why the pub salad is often not the healthy option it appears to be, and what to order instead if your goal is to keep calories in check

Subway's new Packed with Protein range: Leanne deep-dived the nutritionals so you do not have to, and what she found about that 54-gram protein footlong will genuinely surprise you

Why the Subway wrap is almost never the healthier choice over the bread, despite what most people assume

The chocolate-coated health bar that is being heavily marketed to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Leanne and Susie break down the ingredient list and the saturated fat content, and explain why it has more in common with a chocolate bar than a snack bar

The listener question: is a mini Coke a few times a week really a problem? Leanne and Susie give an honest, nuanced answer that is more useful than a simple yes or no

Shop Designed by Dietitians:

Looking for supplements that are actually formulated to clinical doses with real ingredients? Visit designedbydietitians.com to explore the full range.

Keep telling your friends about The Nutrition Couch and join the private Designed by Dietitians Facebook community for exclusive content, giveaways, and free webinar recordings. DM Leanne or Susie on Instagram for the private link.

The pub has quietly become one of Australia's most budget-friendly options for a family dinner out. And with the cost of groceries where they are right now, that is not going to change any time soon.
But if you are trying to eat well, the pub menu can feel like a minefield. Do you order the salad you do not actually want? Ignore the chips? Feel guilty for choosing the schnitzel?
This week Leanne and Susie are cutting through all of it with their honest, practical, no-guilt guide to eating at the pub, the RSL, and anywhere else that serves a $18 special. Plus they take aim at Subway's new high-protein marketing claims, and the numbers are not pretty.
In this episode:
How to navigate a pub menu without ordering a salad you do not feel like and still ending up hungry an hour later, including the exact strategies Leanne and Susie use themselves
Why splitting a meal is often the smartest move at a pub, and how to do it without missing out on protein
The entr&eacute;e trap: which pub starters are quietly adding hundreds of calories before your main even arrives, and which ones are genuinely worth ordering
Why the pub salad is often not the healthy option it appears to be, and what to order instead if your goal is to keep calories in check
Subway's new Packed with Protein range: Leanne deep-dived the nutritionals so you do not have to, and what she found about that 54-gram protein footlong will genuinely surprise you
Why the Subway wrap is almost never the healthier choice over the bread, despite what most people assume
The chocolate-coated health bar that is being heavily marketed to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Leanne and Susie break down the ingredient list and the saturated fat content, and explain why it has more in common with a chocolate bar than a snack bar
The listener question: is a mini Coke a few times a week really a problem? Leanne and Susie give an honest, nuanced answer that is more useful than a simple yes or no
Shop Designed by Dietitians:
Looking for supplements that are actually formulated to clinical doses with real ingredients? Visit designedbydietitians.com to explore the full range.
Keep telling your friends about The Nutrition Couch and join the private Designed by Dietitians Facebook community for exclusive content, giveaways, and free webinar recordings. DM Leanne or Susie on Instagram for the private link.

Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell share their honest, practical guide to eating at the pub without derailing your diet, including what to order, what to avoid, and why the salad is not always the answer. Plus: Subway's high-protein range put under the microscope and the results are misleading, a chocolate-coated health bar exposed for what it really is, and a straight-talking answer on whether a mini Coke a few times a week actually matters. Real advice, no guilt, no fluff.

How to Eat at the Pub Without Derailing Your Diet, Plus the Truth About Subway's High-Protein Range

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/162a050a-79f2-49c0-99ae-b44800c4b40e/transcript

You have probably seen them all over your Instagram feed. Beef liver supplements, sold as a natural, ancestral, high-iron fix for tired, depleted women. But before you add one to your cart, Leanne and Susie have something important to say.

This week on The Nutrition Couch, they dig into the iron conversation that so many women desperately need to have, including why your doctor might have told you your iron is fine when it is anything but, why infusions are often the only real solution when stores are genuinely low, and exactly why beef liver supplements are one of the most overhyped products circulating on social media right now.

If you are tired, breathless, foggy, or just never quite feel rested no matter how much sleep you get, this episode might be the most useful 40 minutes you spend this week.

In this episode:

Why ferritin is the iron marker that matters most and why a result your doctor calls normal can still leave you feeling exhausted, foggy, and completely flat

The real daily iron requirements for women across different life stages, including why pregnancy and breastfeeding can leave stores so depleted that supplements alone simply will not cut it

Why iron supplements can be so rough on your gut, which forms tend to be better tolerated, and why liquid over capsule is often the smarter starting point

The signs that your iron might be low that most women overlook, including restless legs at night, breathlessness on easy walks, and waking up exhausted after a full night of sleep

The best food sources of iron ranked, including the ones that most women are not eating nearly enough of, and the vitamin C pairing that makes all the difference to absorption

What to avoid when taking iron and why washing your tablet down with coffee or tea is quietly undoing your efforts

Beef liver supplements: Leanne looked up more than ten brands and the numbers are damning. Why these products are providing a fraction of what your body actually needs, what they cost versus what you get, and why they are not a therapeutic solution for anyone with genuinely low iron

A supermarket hot chocolate review comparing Jarrah, Avalanche, Cadbury and Lindt, what the nutrition panels actually reveal, and why some functional hot chocolates retailing at $60 should be approached with serious caution

A review of the new Birdseye scalloped potato with paprika from the frozen vegetable range, and why the nutritionals are stronger than you might expect

Shop Designed by Dietitians:

If you are looking for a genuinely functional hot chocolate to wind down this winter, REST by Designed by Dietitians is formulated with magnesium glycinate, glycine, L-tryptophan, passionflower, chamomile, and jujube extract for sleep and nervous system support, with no artificial sweeteners and a whole milk powder base for that creamy mouthfeel. Find it at designedbydietitians.com

Join the private Designed by Dietitians Facebook community for exclusive giveaways, webinar recordings, and content you will not find anywhere else. DM Leanne or Susie on Instagram for the private link.

You have probably seen them all over your Instagram feed. Beef liver supplements, sold as a natural, ancestral, high-iron fix for tired, depleted women. But before you add one to your cart, Leanne and Susie have something important to say.
This week on The Nutrition Couch, they dig into the iron conversation that so many women desperately need to have, including why your doctor might have told you your iron is fine when it is anything but, why infusions are often the only real solution when stores are genuinely low, and exactly why beef liver supplements are one of the most overhyped products circulating on social media right now.
If you are tired, breathless, foggy, or just never quite feel rested no matter how much sleep you get, this episode might be the most useful 40 minutes you spend this week.
In this episode:
Why ferritin is the iron marker that matters most and why a result your doctor calls normal can still leave you feeling exhausted, foggy, and completely flat
The real daily iron requirements for women across different life stages, including why pregnancy and breastfeeding can leave stores so depleted that supplements alone simply will not cut it
Why iron supplements can be so rough on your gut, which forms tend to be better tolerated, and why liquid over capsule is often the smarter starting point
The signs that your iron might be low that most women overlook, including restless legs at night, breathlessness on easy walks, and waking up exhausted after a full night of sleep
The best food sources of iron ranked, including the ones that most women are not eating nearly enough of, and the vitamin C pairing that makes all the difference to absorption
What to avoid when taking iron and why washing your tablet down with coffee or tea is quietly undoing your efforts
Beef liver supplements: Leanne looked up more than ten brands and the numbers are damning. Why these products are providing a fraction of what your body actually needs, what they cost versus what you get, and why they are not a therapeutic solution for anyone with genuinely low iron
A supermarket hot chocolate review comparing Jarrah, Avalanche, Cadbury and Lindt, what the nutrition panels actually reveal, and why some functional hot chocolates retailing at $60 should be approached with serious caution
A review of the new Birdseye scalloped potato with paprika from the frozen vegetable range, and why the nutritionals are stronger than you might expect
Shop Designed by Dietitians:
If you are looking for a genuinely functional hot chocolate to wind down this winter, REST by Designed by Dietitians is formulated with magnesium glycinate, glycine, L-tryptophan, passionflower, chamomile, and jujube extract for sleep and nervous system support, with no artificial sweeteners and a whole milk powder base for that creamy mouthfeel. Find it at designedbydietitians.com
Join the private Designed by Dietitians Facebook community for exclusive giveaways, webinar recordings, and content you will not find anywhere else. DM Leanne or Susie on Instagram for the private link.

Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell expose the truth about beef liver supplements and why they are not the iron fix they are being marketed as, plus everything women need to know about low ferritin, iron infusions, which supplements actually work, and the food sources most of us are not eating enough of. Also: a hot chocolate supermarket review, the new Birdseye scalloped potato verdict, and why that $60 functional hot chocolate is almost certainly not worth it.

Beef Liver Supplements for Iron: The Truth, Plus Everything You Need to Know to Fix Low Iron for Good

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/83d50bb3-50de-4b5a-9464-b44100df7df2/transcript

Arsenic in Rice: What Parents Need to Know + Early Puberty & Breakfast Myths Debunked

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