Is your diet hiding a potential health risk?

On this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell dive deep into aspartame, the controversial artificial sweetener that’s still lurking in popular foods and drinks. With new research linking it to inflammation and insulin resistance, we discuss what you need to know and how to make smarter choices.

Tune in to discover:
Aspartame & Your Health: The latest research on its effects on heart health, insulin, and inflammation.
Magnesium Myths & Facts: Why this essential mineral is suddenly everywhere—and who actually benefits from supplementing it.
Smart Eating for Shift Workers: The best strategies to avoid weight gain and optimise energy when working irregular hours.

Plus, in this episode:
A new supermarket marinade find that adds serious flavour without the junk.
The hidden artificial sweeteners you need to watch for (and what to choose instead).
A surprising link between magnesium and migraines, sleep, and insulin resistance.

Press play now to get the latest expert-backed nutrition insights!

Is your diet hiding a potential health risk?
On this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell dive deep into aspartame, the controversial artificial sweetener that&rsquo;s still lurking in popular foods and drinks. With new research linking it to inflammation and insulin resistance, we discuss what you need to know and how to make smarter choices.
Tune in to discover:
<ul>
<li>Aspartame &amp; Your Health: The latest research on its effects on heart health, insulin, and inflammation.</li>
<li>Magnesium Myths &amp; Facts: Why this essential mineral is suddenly everywhere&mdash;and who actually benefits from supplementing it.</li>
<li>Smart Eating for Shift Workers: The best strategies to avoid weight gain and optimise energy when working irregular hours.</li>
</ul>
Plus, in this episode:
<ul>
<li>A&nbsp;new supermarket marinade find that adds serious flavour without the junk.</li>
<li>The&nbsp;hidden artificial sweeteners you need to watch for (and what to choose instead).</li>
<li>A surprising&nbsp;link between magnesium and migraines, sleep, and insulin resistance.</li>
</ul>
Press play now to get the latest expert-backed nutrition insights!

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.

Aspartame: Harmless or harmful? Leanne Ward & Susie Burrell break down the latest research on this artificial sweetener and its impact on inflammation and insulin resistance. Plus, everything you need to know about magnesium, how to eat as a shift worker, and our latest supermarket find. Listen now!

Aspartame, Magnesium & Shift Work: What You Need to Know About These Nutrition Hot Topics

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/76662eb4-9d98-4574-94e7-b29600b2daa6/transcript

Are low sugar lollies actually healthier… or just clever marketing?

This week on The Nutrition Couch, Susie and Leanne take a deep dive into the booming “better-for-you” confectionery trend and unpack whether these fibre-based, low-sugar lollies are genuinely a smarter choice — or simply another ultra-processed product wearing a health halo.

With brands like Fun Day dominating supermarket checkouts, are we being lured into a false sense of security?

But that’s not all.

Leanne shares compelling new research (January 2026) linking body fat distribution — not just body weight — to brain structure, cognitive performance and neurological disease risk. The findings raise important questions about muscle mass, abdominal fat, rapid weight loss, and long-term brain health.

Plus:
A practical review of convenient pre-prepared vegetables and whether they’re worth the price
The truth about Aldi’s lower carb white bread and why not all “low carb” options are created equal
A bigger conversation about ultra-processed foods and health star ratings

This episode cuts through marketing noise and brings you back to what truly matters for long-term health, metabolic function and cognitive protection.

If you’ve ever stood in the lolly aisle wondering “Is this actually better?” — this one’s for you.

Are low sugar lollies actually healthier&hellip; or just clever marketing?
This week on The Nutrition Couch, Susie and Leanne take a deep dive into the booming &ldquo;better-for-you&rdquo; confectionery trend and unpack whether these fibre-based, low-sugar lollies are genuinely a smarter choice &mdash; or simply another ultra-processed product wearing a health halo.
With brands like Fun Day dominating supermarket checkouts, are we being lured into a false sense of security?
But that&rsquo;s not all.
Leanne shares compelling new research (January 2026) linking body fat distribution &mdash; not just body weight &mdash; to brain structure, cognitive performance and neurological disease risk. The findings raise important questions about muscle mass, abdominal fat, rapid weight loss, and long-term brain health.
Plus:
<ul>
<li>A practical review of convenient pre-prepared vegetables and whether they&rsquo;re worth the price</li>
<li>The truth about Aldi&rsquo;s lower carb white bread and why not all &ldquo;low carb&rdquo; options are created equal</li>
<li>A bigger conversation about ultra-processed foods and health star ratings</li>
</ul>
This episode cuts through marketing noise and brings you back to what truly matters for long-term health, metabolic function and cognitive protection.
If you&rsquo;ve ever stood in the lolly aisle wondering &ldquo;Is this actually better?&rdquo; &mdash; this one&rsquo;s for you.

Are low sugar “healthy” lollies really better? Plus new MRI research linking body fat distribution to brain health, and the truth about low carb bread. Practical, evidence-based nutrition without the hype.

Are “Healthy” Lollies Actually Better? Plus New Research on Body Fat & Brain Health

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/dab326c2-67a3-4255-b685-b402009d399e/transcript

If you eat the same breakfast on repeat because it “fits your macros”, this episode is for you.

This week on The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie unpack the biggest breakfast mistake they see in clinic, why it can quietly stall gut health and fat loss, and the simple way to fix it without overhauling your whole routine.

Then, they cut through the noise on ultra-processed foods, sharing realistic supermarket swaps that reduce additives while keeping your grocery bill (and your sanity) intact. Plus, a surprisingly decent chocolatey lunchbox snack gets reviewed, and they answer the question everyone asks after we’ve “bagged out” wraps, which ones are actually worth buying?

In this episode, we cover:


The number one breakfast mistake for gut health and metabolism (and why “same breakfast every day” backfires)


The 30 plant foods per week idea, what counts, and how to rack up plant points without trying


Easy ways to rotate breakfasts while still hitting protein goals


Why your weight loss can plateau even when you’re doing everything “right”, and how variety helps


Ultra-processed foods: the difference between “some processing” and foods that genuinely drive poor outcomes


Practical UPF swaps that actually make a difference (cereal, milks, breads, yoghurts, chips, crackers)


The truth about additives like emulsifiers, when they matter, and when social media fear has gone too far


Cracker chat: why some “party crackers” are basically biscuits, and what to buy instead for everyday


Product review: Nestlé Milo 40% Less Sugar Dairy Snack, is it a solid option for active kids?


The “maths isn’t mathing” moment, how the lower sugar version stacks up against the regular one (and why we’re investigating)


Listener question: wraps, which ones are okay, and why “spinach wraps” are usually marketing, not veggies


Best buys: the simple, budget-friendly wholegrain mini wraps Leanne and Susie actually recommend

As always, this is practical, evidence-led nutrition advice without the all-or-nothing nonsense.

Designed by Dietitians

If your diet needs a little extra support, explore our scientifically formulated supplement range including protein, creatine, collagen, magnesium, and hydration at designedbydietitians.com.

If you eat the same breakfast on repeat because it &ldquo;fits your macros&rdquo;, this episode is for you.
This week on The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie unpack the biggest breakfast mistake they see in clinic, why it can quietly stall gut health and fat loss, and the simple way to fix it without overhauling your whole routine.
Then, they cut through the noise on ultra-processed foods, sharing realistic supermarket swaps that reduce additives while keeping your grocery bill (and your sanity) intact. Plus, a surprisingly decent chocolatey lunchbox snack gets reviewed, and they answer the question everyone asks after we&rsquo;ve &ldquo;bagged out&rdquo; wraps, which ones are actually worth buying?
In this episode, we cover:
<ul>
<li>
The number one breakfast mistake for gut health and metabolism (and why &ldquo;same breakfast every day&rdquo; backfires)
</li>
<li>
The 30 plant foods per week idea, what counts, and how to rack up plant points without trying
</li>
<li>
Easy ways to rotate breakfasts while still hitting protein goals
</li>
<li>
Why your weight loss can plateau even when you&rsquo;re doing everything &ldquo;right&rdquo;, and how variety helps
</li>
<li>
Ultra-processed foods: the difference between &ldquo;some processing&rdquo; and foods that genuinely drive poor outcomes
</li>
<li>
Practical UPF swaps that actually make a difference (cereal, milks, breads, yoghurts, chips, crackers)
</li>
<li>
The truth about additives like emulsifiers, when they matter, and when social media fear has gone too far
</li>
<li>
Cracker chat: why some &ldquo;party crackers&rdquo; are basically biscuits, and what to buy instead for everyday
</li>
<li>
Product review: Nestl&eacute; Milo 40% Less Sugar Dairy Snack, is it a solid option for active kids?
</li>
<li>
The &ldquo;maths isn&rsquo;t mathing&rdquo; moment, how the lower sugar version stacks up against the regular one (and why we&rsquo;re investigating)
</li>
<li>
Listener question: wraps, which ones are okay, and why &ldquo;spinach wraps&rdquo; are usually marketing, not veggies
</li>
<li>
Best buys: the simple, budget-friendly wholegrain mini wraps Leanne and Susie actually recommend
</li>
</ul>
As always, this is practical, evidence-led nutrition advice without the all-or-nothing nonsense.
Designed by Dietitians
If your diet needs a little extra support, explore our scientifically formulated supplement range including protein, creatine, collagen, magnesium, and hydration at designedbydietitians.com.

The biggest breakfast mistake for gut health is eating the same thing every day, Leanne and Susie explain how to boost microbiome diversity with “plant points”, reduce ultra-processed foods with realistic supermarket swaps, review a Milo dairy snack, and share the best wholegrain mini wraps to buy in Australia.

The #1 Breakfast Mistake for Gut Health, Plus Easy UPF Swaps and the Best Wraps to Buy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/f9d8288f-ec75-4fb6-b231-b3fb00ad1830/transcript

If you’re trying to lose weight, manage stress, or just feel better in your body, this episode connects the dots between what’s on your plate and how you actually feel.

This week on The Nutrition Couch:

A viral article claims cottage cheese, berries and seeds are the “best breakfast for weight loss.” We unpack whether it’s genuinely superior — or just smart marketing.

Plus, a major Australian dataset of over 45,000 people has found a strong link between higher fruit and vegetable intake and lower psychological distress. Women in particular saw greater benefits at higher vegetable serves.

We break down:


Why protein + fibre still matters at breakfast


Whether cottage cheese is worth the hype


The gut–brain connection and mood regulation


How many veggie serves actually make a difference


The sugary drink–depression link


A new high-protein Coles Perform barramundi option


And the viral “Japanese cheesecake” trend (and why it’s not actually cheesecake)

If you want simple, science-backed ways to support fat loss, mood and energy — without extremes — this one’s for you.

If you&rsquo;re trying to lose weight, manage stress, or just feel better in your body, this episode connects the dots between what&rsquo;s on your plate and how you actually feel.
This week on The Nutrition Couch:
A viral article claims cottage cheese, berries and seeds are the &ldquo;best breakfast for weight loss.&rdquo; We unpack whether it&rsquo;s genuinely superior &mdash; or just smart marketing.
Plus, a major Australian dataset of over 45,000 people has found a strong link between higher fruit and vegetable intake and lower psychological distress. Women in particular saw greater benefits at higher vegetable serves.
We break down:
<ul>
<li>
Why protein + fibre still matters at breakfast
</li>
<li>
Whether cottage cheese is worth the hype
</li>
<li>
The gut&ndash;brain connection and mood regulation
</li>
<li>
How many veggie serves actually make a difference
</li>
<li>
The sugary drink&ndash;depression link
</li>
<li>
A new high-protein Coles Perform barramundi option
</li>
<li>
And the viral &ldquo;Japanese cheesecake&rdquo; trend (and why it&rsquo;s not actually cheesecake)
</li>
</ul>
If you want simple, science-backed ways to support fat loss, mood and energy &mdash; without extremes &mdash; this one&rsquo;s for you.

A viral “best breakfast for weight loss” is everywhere — but is it actually superior? Plus, new Australian research links higher fruit and vegetable intake with lower psychological distress. Leanne and Susie break down the science, the supermarket finds, and the viral trends.

The ‘Best’ Weight Loss Breakfast? Plus the Veggie–Mental Health Link You Need to Know

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/6ec769a3-748b-4630-9fdf-b3f400be520c/transcript

Aspartame, Magnesium & Shift Work: What You Need to Know About These Nutrition Hot Topics

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