The Wellness Scoop

• The Truth About Ultra Processed Foods

  Welcome to another special live episode of The Wellness Scoop. We’re starting with a calming five-minute meditation led by Cordelia Simpson to help you pause, breathe and refill your cup before diving in. Then we’re tackling one of the most confusing topics in nutrition: ultra processed foods (UPFs). From the additives hiding in our everyday favourites to the impact on gut health, inflammation and chronic disease, we’re breaking down what the science actually says and where the gaps still are. We’re looking at how UPFs are defined, the most common ones in our diets, and how our eating habits today compare to our grandparents’ generation. We’re also exploring the links with obesity, mental health and cancer risk, plus why cost and access play such a big role in the conversation. Most importantly, we’re sharing simple, realistic swaps that make a difference without cutting out joy, from building more meals around whole foods to knowing when an additive is worth paying attention to. Get your copy of Rhi's book, The Unprocessed Plate To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Coffee, Calories, Cancer Risk & Real-Life Wellness

  Welcome to a very special episode of The Wellness Scoop, recorded live with our amazing community. In today’s show, we’re asking whether coffee could help you age better, if cutting calories might actually harm your mental health, and why new research says exercise could be more effective than drugs in stopping cancer from returning. We’re also diving into the latest concerns around microplastics and tampons, the truth about step counts, and the role of food in supporting hormones, energy and emotional wellbeing. Plus, we’re taking brilliant questions from our live audience, from fasting and kids’ food language to organic veg and the pressure to be perfect. Whether you were in the room with us for the event or you’re listening for the first time from home, thank you for being part of this incredible community. To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Sugar Swaps, Keto & Broccoli Shots

  This week, we’re diving into the wellness headlines that got us talking, from new research linking sweeteners to early puberty, to what the science really says about the keto diet. We’re also looking at the rise of broccoli shots in elite sport and why grip strength might be one of the most important health markers we rarely talk about. There’s a lot to cover, including Donald Trump and Coca-Cola’s, a viral debate around bacon and cancer risk, and a listener question on how food can support hormone health.  At the end of the show, we’re sharing a few personal updates, including the launch of Ella’s new cookbook Quick Wins, our first-ever homeware collection with John Lewis, a campaign to improve free school breakfasts, and some summer picks for kids’ food and theatre deals. Plus a brilliant Stylist feature on ageing that sparked an honest conversation about self-image and how our mindset shifts over time. Recommendations Brick: https://getbrick.app/ Nancy Britwhistle: https://www.instagram.com/nancy.birtwhistle/?hl=en Books: Blue Sisters and The Body Keeps the Score To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• 10 Minutes to Change Your Day, NHS Overhaul & Sleep Gummies

  This week, we’re looking at why the first ten minutes after you wake up might matter more than anything else for how the rest of your day unfolds. From quick morning rituals to simple shifts that keep you steady, we break down what actually helps. We also get into England’s huge new 10-year NHS plan. With life expectancy flatlining and more people getting sick earlier, the government is promising a major overhaul — shifting from treating sickness to preventing it. We look at their ambitious goals, from tackling obesity and smoking to new rules on junk food and air quality, and ask whether it really goes far enough. Then we dive into the worrying story behind children’s sleep gummies that turned out to contain undeclared melatonin. It’s raised serious concerns about how unregulated the supplement industry still is, especially when it comes to products aimed at kids. Elsewhere, we explore why some common foods can behave like drugs in the body when you have too much. Think black licorice, poppy seeds and even Brazil nuts — all a reminder of how thin the line can be between food and pharmacology. And finally, we answer your listener question on organic. Is it genuinely better for your health, or is simply eating more fruits and veggies, no matter how they’re grown, what really counts? If you’re enjoying the show, please hit follow and leave us a review. We’d love to hear your thoughts or questions too! Recommendations: Self Defence: A Myth-busting Guide to Immune Health by Daniel Davis Bite Back activists, being blocked by the big advertising companies but trying to change the world! Turmeric, ginger and lemon shots - batch a week at a time Fit For The Future - The 10 year health plan in the UK The Science Of Menopause - by Dr Philippa Kaye Get your copy of Rhi's new book 'The Unprocessed Plate' ⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠ To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: https://bit.ly/44MSOxI Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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• Self-Obsessed or Happy? Plus Chocolate & Heart Health

  This week, we’re asking if all this self-monitoring, self-optimising and endless tracking is actually helping us — or just making us more stressed and less happy. With over half of UK adults now owning some kind of wearable, we dig into whether chasing perfect sleep scores and stress metrics is doing more harm than good. Because decades of research still shows that happiness often comes when we look outward — being kind, connected and empathetic — not by obsessing over every tiny detail of ourselves. We also break down some of the biggest health stories right now. We look at new research on magic mushrooms being used to treat depression, why the results are genuinely promising, and why it’s still not a miracle fix. Then we tackle the confusion around butter, steak, cheese and heart health. Is saturated fat really as bad as we’ve been told, or are the headlines just muddying the waters? We unpack what actually matters — from fat swaps to overall diet patterns. Then we take on the language of “guilt-free pleasures.” Whether it’s dark chocolate, low-alcohol wine or high-fibre cereals, do we really need guilt in the food conversation at all? We think it’s time to change how we talk about food. We also touch on the new nursery nutrition guidelines rolling out this September to help kids build better habits early on. Recommendations: Baked strawberries! Coat in either honey, maple syrup and sugar, pop in the oven for 15-20 mins at 180 and enjoy how much flavour you get Walking! Quick and easy way to feel great and bust stress Leaving your phone downstairs at night and feel better for not having the temptation to do late-night doom scrolling Please vote for us to win the Listener's Choice award at the British Podcast Awards: ⁠https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting To get the exclusive gift box from Shokz, order via this link: ⁠https://bit.ly/44MSOxI⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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