Your cholesterol came back high. Now what? Most women in their 40s and beyond have sat with that question and got very little useful guidance on the other side of it.

In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie give you the cholesterol conversation most doctors don't have time for, including what your individual numbers actually mean, why your LDL is almost certainly rising right now if you are in perimenopause, and the specific point at which diet can genuinely help versus when medication is the only realistic path. If you have high cholesterol and you are doing everything right, this one is especially for you.

The cholesterol conversation your doctor probably hasn't had with you

Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides. Susie and Leanne walk through what each number means, what the target ranges are, why genetics can override even the best diet, and why there is no shame in needing medication. They also cover the calcium score test most women have never heard of, and why it matters more than a single cholesterol reading.

What diet can and cannot do for your cholesterol

Diet can realistically move cholesterol one to two points. It cannot bring a seven down to five. That is one of the most important clinical distinctions in this episode, and it is one that a lot of online health content gets badly wrong. Susie and Leanne also name the specific supermarket products and supplements that are clinically proven to help, and explain why your dad's tiny scrape of cholesterol-lowering margarine is doing absolutely nothing.

Protein powder vs skim milk powder: is the cheap swap actually worth it?

A claim has been circulating online that skim milk powder is essentially the same as protein powder at a fraction of the cost. Leanne and Susie run the actual numbers and the comparison is not even close. They also explain why this matters specifically for women in peri and menopause who are trying to hit protein targets without extra carbs.

Plus: A surprisingly impressive new dip at Coles and Aldi that Susie gives a 10 out of 10, and a listener question about kids and sugar at parties that every parent needs to hear.

For the supplement range Leanne and Susie refer to in this episode, head to designedbydietitians.com.

If this one helped you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.

Your cholesterol came back high. Now what? Most women in their 40s and beyond have sat with that question and got very little useful guidance on the other side of it.
In this episode of The Nutrition Couch, Leanne and Susie give you the cholesterol conversation most doctors don't have time for, including what your individual numbers actually mean, why your LDL is almost certainly rising right now if you are in perimenopause, and the specific point at which diet can genuinely help versus when medication is the only realistic path. If you have high cholesterol and you are doing everything right, this one is especially for you.
The cholesterol conversation your doctor probably hasn't had with you
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides. Susie and Leanne walk through what each number means, what the target ranges are, why genetics can override even the best diet, and why there is no shame in needing medication. They also cover the calcium score test most women have never heard of, and why it matters more than a single cholesterol reading.
What diet can and cannot do for your cholesterol
Diet can realistically move cholesterol one to two points. It cannot bring a seven down to five. That is one of the most important clinical distinctions in this episode, and it is one that a lot of online health content gets badly wrong. Susie and Leanne also name the specific supermarket products and supplements that are clinically proven to help, and explain why your dad's tiny scrape of cholesterol-lowering margarine is doing absolutely nothing.
Protein powder vs skim milk powder: is the cheap swap actually worth it?
A claim has been circulating online that skim milk powder is essentially the same as protein powder at a fraction of the cost. Leanne and Susie run the actual numbers and the comparison is not even close. They also explain why this matters specifically for women in peri and menopause who are trying to hit protein targets without extra carbs.
Plus: A surprisingly impressive new dip at Coles and Aldi that Susie gives a 10 out of 10, and a listener question about kids and sugar at parties that every parent needs to hear.
For the supplement range Leanne and Susie refer to in this episode, head to designedbydietitians.com.
If this one helped you, please share it with someone who needs to hear it.

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.

Cholesterol rising in your 40s is not a lifestyle failure. Leanne Ward and Susie Burrell explain what your numbers actually mean, when diet helps and when it doesn't, and how to have the right conversation with your doctor. Plus the protein powder versus skim milk powder debate settled with real numbers, a top-rated new dip, and a kids and sugar listener question.

Your Cholesterol Numbers Explained: What's Normal, What's Not & When to Act

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