Food and Nutrition

The Disturbing Truth About What My Kids Eat “Normally”

February 17, 2021

In the two-week window leading up to the end of the 2020 school year, I noticed a frightening phenomenon in my seven-year-old son’s school bag. He had amassed a small mountain of junk food. From play dates and birthday parties, to after-school-care and team sport, it seemed everyone and anyone had deemed it a special … Read full article »

diet, discretionary foods, Food, food industry, junk food, nutrition, ultra-processed food

The Truth About My “Whole-Food” Life: Time pressure, tradeoffs, and the burden of pleasing others

August 28, 2019

The blurb on the recipe book promised it all; “In the follow-up to her amazing chart-topper… Ella makes it easy to prepare delicious food for you, your friends and family, whatever the occasion.” The occasion was my son’s third birthday and with 30 guests due to arrive on my doorstep to help us celebrate, Deliciously … Read full article »

Are You Wasting Money on Vitamins?

April 8, 2019

Normally people discover they’re iron deficient during a visit to their GP that was prompted by feeling unusually fatigued. I learned abut my anaemia in slightly more unusual way. During the production of my new film about mindfulness I had a team of scientists tracking my biological markers as I meditated every day for a … Read full article »

diet, food synergy, supplements, vitamins, whole foods

How To Quit Junk Food

February 12, 2019

If you’re anything like about half of the population, the chances are you started out the new year with the best of intentions. Perhaps you resolved to sleep more, or party less. Maybe you decided to loose weight, save money or donate time. Whatever it is that signifies your particular “New Year New Me” pledge, … Read full article »

diet, junk food, Lasting Change

Why I Don’t Buy Into The Gluten-Free Craze

October 26, 2018

It was a trip to the supermarket where junk food was masquerading as health food with a “gluten-free” label, it was the conversation with a woman who’s on a gluten-free diet to lose weight, it was the e-newsletter telling me that quitting gluten would help me to cure my autoimmune disease. This week I’ve reached … Read full article »

diet, Food, Gluten, Leaky Gut

Good Mood Food: What To Eat Today To Change How You Feel Tomorrow

October 11, 2018

If you ask any parent in my generation what influence sugar has on their kids, it’s likely they’ll say with deep conviction that sugar makes their children certifiably crazy. We see it time and time again after birthday parties and special holiday outings. Shortly after filling up on candies, cookies and cake our little darlings … Read full article »

The Health Halo – When “Healthy” Food Isn’t

May 16, 2018

The class promised that it was “ideal for beginners and home cooks wanting to learn how to make hearty and filling vegan meals.” I’m not a vegan, but having looked extensively into what diet is best for our health, I do try to eat mostly plant-based food, consisting of nutritious, real ingredients. I’m also a … Read full article »

diet, Food, Health Halo, nutrition, plant-based, Vegan, whole foods

What Does “Eating In Moderation” Actually Look Like?

February 8, 2018

If you had bumped into me at the mall this morning you might have thought I’d gone crazy. My regular readers will know that I’m a health journalist with an autoimmune disease and that, among other things, I prioritise eating well. Indeed, I regularly write about my struggles with healthy eating in this mad world … Read full article »

Brian Wansink, diet, Food, healthy eating, Lasting Change, Moderation, Portion Sizes

It’s Not Your Fault – Why Healthy Eating Is So Hard

December 7, 2017

This is a conversation I heard between New Jersey bus driver and an elderly Chinese passenger on a bus bound for New York City. Driver: “Hey, how you doing? Last time I saw you, you were headed to Old Bridge. Where you going today?”Passenger: “Oh there’s a guy I’ve got to see in Freehold. How … Read full article »

I Hosted a Junk Food-Free Kids Party And This Is What Happened

July 13, 2017

Recently my house was overrun by an unruly group of four-year-olds and their associated parents and siblings. The event was to celebrate the coming together of my mother’s group in our shared experience of taking custody of our respective squawking, drooling, begrimed bundles of joy four years earlier. Between the bangs of balloons, an all-in … Read full article »

diet, nutrition

Why “Everything In Moderation” is a Bad Idea

May 4, 2017

The Australian media went into hyperdrive this week after former Miss Universe Australia and healthy living advocate Jesinta Franklin was announced as the face of a new range of Cadbury chocolates. The 25-year-old model has published a book (under her maiden name Jesinta Campbell) called Live a Beautiful Life, which among other things, includes sugar … Read full article »

Brian Wansink, Lasting Change, mindless eating, Moderation

How The Microbes in Your Gut Influence Your Health

February 16, 2017

After being diagnosed with a chronic disease eleven years ago, I have a keen interest in following the latest discoveries being made by health researchers around the world. Regular readers will know that I dive with gusto into the evidence showing links between our health and our emotions, stress levels, relationships, beliefs, diet, sleep, exercise … Read full article »

Latest posts from Shannon's blog

The Disturbing Truth About What My Kids Eat “Normally”

The Truth About My “Whole-Food” Life: Time pressure, tradeoffs, and the burden of pleasing others

Are You Wasting Money on Vitamins?

How To Quit Junk Food

Why I Don’t Buy Into The Gluten-Free Craze

Good Mood Food: What To Eat Today To Change How You Feel Tomorrow

The Health Halo – When “Healthy” Food Isn’t

What Does “Eating In Moderation” Actually Look Like?

It’s Not Your Fault – Why Healthy Eating Is So Hard

I Hosted a Junk Food-Free Kids Party And This Is What Happened

Why “Everything In Moderation” is a Bad Idea

How The Microbes in Your Gut Influence Your Health

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