Moving our bowels is often a taboo topic...but it really shouldn't be! With almost 1/4 of Australians experiencing chronic constipation, and more than 1/3 suffering from sluggish bowels reasonably often, this is an area we certainly need to talk about more! Join nutritionist Melissa Cook for this deep dive into: Why we need to have open and honest conversations around poo, and remove the embarrassment and stigma What's normal - and what's not - when it comes to how often we move our bowels Common causes of constipation Different types of fibre, and where to find them Melissa's handy '3 F's' to improve regularity
When it comes to choosing a type of milk to drink, the options seem endless - there's cow's dairy, almond, rice, oat, coconut, soy.... But which one is best for YOUR body? What should you look out for in a milk, when they are not all created equal? Join nutritionist Melissa Cook for this episode where she walks you through the pros & cons of different options - including what to look out for on labels, and her personally preferred brands.
Have you ever gone on a 'health kick'...but given up within a few days because you realised that changing habits was a bit too difficult? Understanding the stages of change - how important making a change is, and the pros/cons that can impact our willpower - can play a key role in our ability to improve our habits. Join Linda for this interesting and informative session about how the stages of change work, and questions you can ask yourself in order to increase motivation.
You can know all there is to know about nutrition & health...but what happens when your mindset holds you back? In this episode, Linda discusses some of the secrets to improving health that you may not have thought of before. What constitutes 'success'...and what types of habits do people who succeed in changing their health put in place? There's also an exciting new announcement in t his episode!
Have you ever wondered just what our clients' journey is like when they work with us? In this episode, Melissa chats to Sarah, who has not only released 32kg (so far!), she's also experienced an amazing health transformation! Listen to Sarah's story as she recounts the health challenges she suffered from prior to embarking on her Metabolic Balance journey (including bowel cancer, PCOS, body aches, poor sleep and blood pressure issues) - and how different her life is now. Sarah also shares her favourite aspects of the program, and how MB was different to other strategies she'd tried before - and her results were so impressive, her family joined her on the program too!
We all know that it can be REALLY easy to overeat without meaning to. But we can pay the ultimate price in terms of our waistline, our self-esteem and our risk of chronic disease. In this episode, nutritionist Melissa Cook covers: How to work out how much food is ideal for YOUR body - so that you don't over-eat (or under-eat, which is just as important!) The difference between a 'portion' and a 'serving' - and why this matters Is it calories or portion sizes that are more important when it comes to weight management? An easy way to balance your plate ...plus plenty more great tips you can use in everyday life
Do you sometimes find yourself eating mindlessly? If so, you're certainly not alone! Eating due to boredom, distraction (such as catching up on the latest MAFS episode!) or to soothe emotions is incredibly common. And it's all too easy to fall into a vicious cycle of eating, followed by guilt....followed by more eating to appease the guilt. Join nutritionist & Metabolic Balance coach Melissa Cook for this session, where she'll cover: The physical, mental and emotional impact that mindless eating can have The physiological reason you are driven to eat when bored or stressed A simple, yet effective 3-step action plan to prevent reaching for unhealthy foods when boredom strikes!
Nutrients such as vitamin & minerals are essential to a healthy body - yet many people don't meet their requirements. Join naturopath & nutritionist Linda Back for this interesting and informative session, where she discusses: The 3 most common nutrient depletions she sees in clients The role these nutrients play in the body, and why they are important Where to find them in everyday foods Factors that can increase your need for particular nutrients Why supplementation is not always the answer
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in the world. As we learn more about the condition (and the impact from nutrition & lifestyle) we have more options available for sufferers. Join naturopath & nutritionist Linda Back in this latest episode, where she discusses: Why addressing hormonal balance is so important to a woman's wellbeing The factors that can be involved in the development and progression of PCOS Common sighs & symptoms of PCOS How the right foods and key natural medicines can be used strategically to help address the underlying drivers of the condition
Iron deficiency can be a difficult condition to get on top of. And persistent low iron levels aren't always about the food you're eating. Join nutritionist Melissa to find out why iron is so important to your body the obvious (and not-so-obvious!) symptoms that your iron may be low why the conventional approach of continually topping up iron levels with supplements often misses the mark the factors that may influence your iron absorption capacity
Looking after yourself doesn't need to be a chore. But your body, mind & soul will thank you if you make that mindset shift into a greater awareness of self-care. In this episode, nutritionist Melissa Cook shares her best tips, and the surprising things that are often overlooked when it comes to self-care practices.
Have you ever wondered about growing some of your own food? It may just be easier than you think. Join passionate, ever-hopeful gardener and naturopath Linda Back for this interesting session about vegetable and herb gardening. Linda talks about: Why getting even a few food plants growing at home is great for your physical and mental well-being How you can get started with a budget-friendly garden that produces maximum food for minimum effort Where to find the best free and low-cost information What Linda recommends starting with if you are new to veggie gardening for easy, productive crops
Are you curious as to how a nutritionist actually eats? In this episode, naturopath & nutritionist Linda Back shares how she incorporates healthy eating into her day, with a sensible and sustainable approach.
Since the onset of the pandemic, hand sanitizers can be accessed almost everywhere we go - in shops, workplaces, public spaces and bathrooms. But are there things we need to take into consideration, so that we are fully informed when using these products? In this episode, Melissa takes a balanced view to the benefits and potential risks involved with overuse of hand sanitizers.
As well as being a Nutritionist & certified Metabolic Balance Coach, did you know Melissa Cook also has 18 years experience as a flight attendant? This episode is packed with nuggets of information for anyone who flies often - from flight crew to frequent travellers. Melissa covers: Why flight crew may be more prone to poor health as a result of lack of fresh food options, long working hours and exhaustion How flying frequently can negatively affect your body and wreak havoc in more than a few ways How some planning around nutrition may be the key you need to help keep your energy levels up, minimise the risk of infections, increase productivity and manage weight. What you can do to stay healthy in the sky...and when you get back on the ground!
With the cost of living rising all the time, most of us are looking for ways to trim some money off our bills - and taking a good look at how much we spend on food is a great place to start. But saving money on your food bill doesn't need to mean that you sacrifice your health! Join Nutritionist and Metabolic Balance Coach Melissa Cook, where she shares her 10 best tips for eating well for less. Melissa talks about: How to minimise food waste (wouldn't you rather have that money in your pocket than in the bin?) Cooking methods that can save you dollars AND time How Melissa manages to source organic foods at bargain prices Simple ways to create healthier habits Easy tips to help you feel in control of your food spend as well as more prepared during your busy week
Traveller's diarrhea (also known as 'Bali Belly') is a common, but needless to say quite unpleasant illness to experience! Nutritionist Melissa Cook looked into the topic in detail as a result of experiencing an episode of Bali Belly after a trip overseas. In this episode she covers some interesting and useful information, including: Common causes of Bali Belly What actually happens in your gut (other than the obvious!) when you are exposed to the infection Why it can take weeks, or even months, to fully recover from an episode Tips to minimise your risk of contracting Bali Belly if you are heading overseas What to do if you do happen to be struck down during/after your travels Why food intolerances and irritable bowel (IBS) symptoms may rear their head following a dose of Bali Belly – and how this links to your overall state of gut health
Perimenopause is an interesting time in a woman's life. This time of reaching the end of our reproductive years is often perceived (and portrayed!) in a negative light. Sure...it's common to experience annoying - or even downright unpleasant - symptoms like anxiety, sleep disruptions, weight gain and those infamous hot flushes! But we'd be doing women everywhere a disservice by only focusing on the physical aspects of the perimenopausal transition. In other words, it's easy to overlook the fact that this can be a time of significant personal growth, too. Join Naturopath, Nutritionist and Certified Metabolic Balance Coach Linda Back for some introspection around how perimenopause can bring insights and a-ha moments - that can ultimately be life-changing.
Endometriosis is a painful and often debilitating condition that is thought to affect around 1 in 7 women of childbearing age. As a sufferer herself, Linda knows just how endometriosis feels. In this episode she talks about: What endometriosis actually is Signs and symptoms to look out for Linda's own experience with the disease - and how she went from suffering severe symptoms to now being virtually pain-free Factors that contribute to the onset and progression of the condition Natural options to help reduce inflammation, ease hormonal imbalance and boost quality of life
Have you heard the term 'xenoestrogens' before? Also known as a type of endocrine-disrupting chemical (in other words, they can REALLY mess with your hormones!), these are everywhere - including some places you might not expect! And research is mounting that these chemicals are contributing to many of the chronic health conditions we are experiencing in the 21st century. Find out all about xenoestrogens from nutritionist Melissa Cook, including: how xenoestrogens have the potential to wreak havoc on your system the products you are probably using in everyday life that may be adding to your body's toxic load useful tips for minimising your exposure to xenoestrogens