January is hectic, decision fatigue is real, and eating well can start to feel exhausting.

In this episode, Leanne and Susie break down meal prep that actually works in real life, the sneaky way fries creep into your week, and what to order when fast food is the only option.

No extremes. No guilt. Just systems that make healthy eating easier in 2026.

In this episode, we cover:


The simplest meal prep system to save time and mental load (without cooking every meal)


The best foods to batch prep and what not to prep because it turns soggy


Why convenience foods are not “cutting corners” and how to drop the guilt


How long common prepped foods actually last in the fridge and freezer


Freezer hacks that reduce waste and stop boredom


The “Fry Creep” problem, how many fries is really a serve, and the once-a-week rule


Leanne’s fry quality filter and how to enjoy chips without overdoing it


A new freezer-friendly, high-protein seafood option for busy nights


Smarter picks at Maccas, KFC, and Subway when you need something fast

This episode is perfect if you want to eat well this year without burnout, perfectionism, or overthinking every meal.

January is hectic, decision fatigue is real, and eating well can start to feel exhausting.
In this episode, Leanne and Susie break down meal prep that actually works in real life, the sneaky way fries creep into your week, and what to order when fast food is the only option.
No extremes. No guilt. Just systems that make healthy eating easier in 2026.
In this episode, we cover:
<ul>
<li>
The simplest meal prep system to save time and mental load (without cooking every meal)
</li>
<li>
The best foods to batch prep and what not to prep because it turns soggy
</li>
<li>
Why convenience foods are not &ldquo;cutting corners&rdquo; and how to drop the guilt
</li>
<li>
How long common prepped foods actually last in the fridge and freezer
</li>
<li>
Freezer hacks that reduce waste and stop boredom
</li>
<li>
The &ldquo;Fry Creep&rdquo; problem, how many fries is really a serve, and the once-a-week rule
</li>
<li>
Leanne&rsquo;s fry quality filter and how to enjoy chips without overdoing it
</li>
<li>
A new freezer-friendly, high-protein seafood option for busy nights
</li>
<li>
Smarter picks at Maccas, KFC, and Subway when you need something fast
</li>
</ul>
This episode is perfect if you want to eat well this year without burnout, perfectionism, or overthinking every meal.

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.

Make healthy eating easier in 2026 with realistic meal prep hacks that cut decision fatigue, the “Fry Creep” rule that explains why chips derail fat loss, and smarter fast food orders (Maccas, KFC, Subway) when you are stuck on the go.

Meal Prep Without the Burnout + The “Fry Creep” Rule (and Smarter Fast Food Orders)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/da2646ff-12b3-479a-9f7d-b3d800c990fc/transcript