Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee

My guest today believes that the decisions we make every day about what to eat have a huge influence on our health.

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 234 of the podcast with medical doctor and author of international bestseller ‘Eat to Beat Disease’, Dr William Li.

In this clip, he shares how specific foods can strengthen our health defence systems and help our bodies heal.

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Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/234

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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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Why do we all eat stuff that isn’t food and why can’t we stop? In this episode, Dr Chris van Tulleken, author of Ultra-Processed People explains all. As well as being one of the UK’s leading science broadcasters, Chris is a practising infectious diseases doctor in the NHS. He gained his medical degree at Oxford University and his PhD in molecular virology from University College London, where he is an associate professor. He works closely with the World Health Organization and UNICEF, and his research looks at how corporations affect human health.

In this episode, Chris explores what may be the biggest public health crisis of our time: ultra-processed food, or UPF, for short. Many people these days, certainly most regular listeners to this podcast, will be aware of UPFs. But there’s still a lot of confusion around what they really are. For Chris, it’s simple: if it’s wrapped in plastic and has at least one ingredient you wouldn’t find in a home kitchen, it’s a UPF. If it makes a health claim on the packet? Ironically, it’s even more likely!

A UPF is any food that’s processed industrially and created for big-business profit, rather than to provide nutrients. And here in the UK, UPF makes up 60 percent of the average diet. The trouble is, says Chris, UPFs have been shown to be the leading cause of early death in the world, ahead of tobacco. Even if you remain at what is considered a healthy weight, consuming UPFs still leaves you vulnerable to things like Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, dementia, anxiety, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer and eating disorders.

In this conversation, Chris provides a clear definition of the difference between processing and ultra-processing, and explains how our toxic food environment is designed to be addictive. We also discuss a whole range of different topics such as the need to see obesity as a condition and not an identity and the seemingly revolutionary idea that re-prioritising food shopping and cooking as a vital, enjoyable part of our day, could be a first step towards the societal change that’s urgently needed.

This podcast episode is not about shame or blame - it’s about education and empowerment. Chris is a brilliant communicator who insists the prevalence and appeal of UPFs is not our fault. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with him - I hope you enjoy listening.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Find out more about my NEW Journal here https://drchatterjee.com/journal

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://zoe.com

https://calm.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/414

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

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Today’s episode is a special episode that I have recorded all about the transformative power of journalling. Journalling is a practice that I’ve been recommending for many years. Doing it regularly can help improve sleep, lead to better decision making and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. It has also been shown to decrease emotional stress, make it easier to turn new behaviours into long term habits, improve the quality of our relationships and, ultimately, help us lead more mindful and intentional lives.

My hope is that this episode will help you understand the key benefits of journalling and some of the ways in which you can get started. The key - as with all new behaviours - is to experiment and find out what works best for you.

In order to celebrate the launch of my own journal ‘The 3 Question Journal’, I outline what I consider to be the three most impactful questions that you can ask yourself every morning and every evening. Answering these questions will take less than 5 minutes, but doing so can prove transformative. Journalling helps you step outside of your life, in order to reflect on your life. And so, whatever your current goals are, the path towards them becomes clearer.

Journalling is a practice that I myself do regularly and my hope is that this episode inspires you to start.

If you want to take a look at ‘The 3 Question Journal’ go to https://drchatterjee.com/journal

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/413

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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This podcast will change your mind! Today’s episode is another brilliant compilation, this time on the theme of mindset – how changing your thinking can change your life. The team and I have selected some of the most practical, inspiring and can-do clips. Each one is filled with hope and potential, guaranteed to get you into a positive frame of mind. It’s a fantastic episode to help you begin 2024 as you mean to go on.

The idea behind this theme was to collect all the best tips, tricks and evidence-based techniques to help you reframe some of the ways you might see the world. Reframing means that when challenges arise, or difficult conversations or decisions present themselves, you can choose to approach them in a different way. With time you will genuinely feel differently about them – and find yourself embracing life with a new sense of freedom and fulfilment.

The clips you’ll hear include some powerful, life-changing ideas and insights on controlling your reaction to stressors, managing anxiety and overwhelm, learning to sit with your thoughts, and growing your resilience and self-compassion. As we see in a new year, with all its talk of resolutions and ‘new yous’, I think you’ll appreciate our experts’ realistic take on making healthy habits stick and overcoming limiting beliefs or unhelpful thought patterns. If you ever feel a bit lost in life, as if you’ve strayed from your intended path, this podcast will help. Together, my guests will help you to reconnect with your true, authentic self. And that’s something we could all do with in modern life.

You’ll hear from former guests including Jay Shetty, Oliver Burkeman, Rich Roll, Peter Crone, James Clear, Jim Kwik, Mel Robbins, Dr Kristen Neff, Dr Edith Eger, Pippa Grange and Julia Samuel – to name but a few – on how to harness the power of your mind and cultivate emotional and spiritual growth.

Remember that each of the clips in this podcast comes from a full-length episode. So if you like what you hear, check the show notes for links to listen to those speakers’ episodes in full. My team and I loved compiling this episode for you, it’s been a wonderful reminder of our purpose in life. And I hope that some of the wisdom you hear today will inspire you to find yours. 

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Find out more about my NEW Journal here https://drchatterjee.com/journal

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://calm.com/livemore

https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/412

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CAUTION: This episode contains swearing.

What’s the collective noun for a group of wellbeing podcasters? It’s got to be a community, hasn’t it! I usually release a Bitesize episode every Friday, but today I have something a little different to share with you. In today’s episode, I sit down with some of my friends - other podcasters in the UK who are also trying to use their platforms to help people live better and feel better.

You are going to be hearing from Fearne Cotton from Happy Place, Damiam Hughes and Jake Humphrey from High Performance, Elizabeth Day from How To Fail and, of course, myself. Hopefully you will recognise some of these voices - either from listening to them on their own shows - or because you have heard them when they have been former guests on this podcast, as Fearne was on Episode 230, Jake was on Episode 224 and Elizabeth was on Episode 283.

In this episode, we answer a series of questions that were put to us in closed envelopes. We cover topics such as why we began podcasting, what we hope our shows achieve, memorable guests, why we love the experience so much, what we are grateful for and so much more.

One of the things I truly love about the world of podcasting is its supportive community and I have certainly made some awesome connections and friendships through podcasting over the years. A huge thank you to the High Performance team for putting this episode together and, of course, a huge thank you to my podcasting peers: Fearne, Elizabeth, Damian and Jake for all making time in their schedule to make this happen.

We thoroughly enjoyed getting together and recording this episode - in some ways, it felt a bit like an office Christmas party.

Our current intention is to record one of these episodes every year - let’s see what actually happens!! But, in the meantime, I hope you enjoy this end of year festive special.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/411

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today’s episode is a life-affirming compilation on the theme of community and connection. I chose it because it’s a subject that comes up in one way or another in almost every podcast conversation I have. Researchers, thinkers, and experts alike are concluding that one of the most significant contributing factors to our mental, physical and emotional health is our interactions with other human beings.

Our ancestors evolved as a collective – ancient humans thrived in tribes. From keeping safe at night to hunting for and sharing food, coming together as a community was essential for our survival. And it’s easy to forget we’re not that different today. Sure, the world has transformed. Travel and technology mean families often live far apart, and younger generations are more likely to communicate through screens than face to face. We can survive without community, but can we really thrive?

Science has shown how loneliness affects more than mood, leaving a lasting imprint on our mental and physical health. Reaching out to others then, is one of the best things we can do to protect and improve our holistic health. And I don’t just mean asking for help. By giving to others, volunteering your time or lending an ear, your own wellbeing is boosted alongside the recipients’. Feeling part of a community is as much about making a contribution as being welcomed.

Of course, it can be easier said than done. Maybe you don’t have family nearby, you work alone, or you find it hard to make friends. This podcast is here to help. I guarantee that by the end you’ll feel compelled to embrace community, convinced of the reasons it matters, and inspired by all the simple, actionable ideas this wonderful selection of guests share.

You’ll hear voices including Dr Gabor Maté, Johann Hari, Dr Tommy Wood and Professors Laurie Santos, Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz. Together we cover the reasons connection is key, the health benefits it affords, and how to find your community. We hear from Dr Pippa Grange, Dr Dacher Keltner, Kelly McGonigal, The Happy Pear, and many more on how to cultivate friendships and intimacy, and why it's kindness that counts.

My team and I really enjoyed compiling this episode for you and it’s served as a reminder to all of us, too, to prioritise the people in our lives a little bit more. Even if that’s something you already do, is there someone you could reach out to who might be struggling to do the same? Each clip in this podcast comes from a full-length episode, so if there are voices that particularly resonate with you, check the show notes for links to listen to their episodes in full. Together, these clips are a celebration of the power of community and friendships old and new – I hope this episode helps you to find yours.

Find out more about my NEW Journal here https://drchatterjee.com/journal

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://boncharge.com/livemore

https://exhalecoffee.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/410

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sleep is not just important for our physical health but for our mental and emotional health too. The brain can literally re-wire negative memories when we sleep.

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 147 of the podcast with world-leading sleep researcher Professor Matthew Walker.

In this clip, Matthew explains why sleep can be ‘emotional first aid’ and shares some of his tips for better sleep.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/147

Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee

Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee

Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“It’s not that exercise is an antidepressant, it’s that not exercising is a depressant.” So says this week’s guest – and he’s redefining youth mental health education for the 21st century in line with this powerful belief.

David Bidler is a social entrepreneur dedicated to reinventing education for the 21st century. In 2019, he founded Physiology First University a non-profit education centre, which teaches the latest science of the brain and body by offering classes - in neuroscience, exercise physiology, sauna and cold exposure, to all ages but with a particular focus on teenagers and adolescents.

David’s core belief is that if we could teach all the kids around the world the fundamental skills of breathing, nutrition, movement and rest, as a priority over the current education system, we could see a huge change to the rates of poor mental health.

He believes that we’re often doing young people a disservice by labelling them with mental health disorders, instead of looking at their lifestyles and giving them the tools to feel better. His facility teaches students about anxiety by helping them experience it in a controlled setting, so they know exactly what the fight-or-flight response feels like. They increase their own heart rate, through exercise and then lower it, through breathing techniques. And so, because they know what anxiety feels like, they can ‘reclaim’ agency over their anxiety, by realising it’s not a loss of control and by learning - through first-hand experience - how they can navigate their own nervous systems to effectively manage it.

David’s goal is to put Physiology First campuses all across the globe - he wants to create a healthy alternative to the current educational system - one that integrates an academic curriculum alongside a health one. 

This is a fascinating conversation that will give you a fresh understanding of your own physiology. Ever since I came across David on Instagram, I have been inspired by his work and what he is trying to do. He is a passionate individual, trying his best to make the world a better place. I hope you enjoy listening.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/408

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you ever feel anxious, whether that’s a low-level worry, a sudden fear, or full-on panic, can you sense where it’s coming from in your body?

Feel Better Live More Bitesize is my weekly podcast for your mind, body, and heart. Each week I’ll be featuring inspirational stories and practical tips from some of my former guests.

Today’s clip is from episode 370 of the podcast with medical doctor and neuroscientist, Dr Russell Kennedy.

Russell’s core message is that it’s more effective to use the body to calm the mind, than the mind to calm the body and, in this clip, he shares practical strategies to help manage anxious feelings. 

Thanks to our sponsor https://www.drinkag1.com/livemore

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Show notes and the full podcast are available at drchatterjee.com/370

Follow me on instagram.com/drchatterjee

Follow me on facebook.com/DrChatterjee

Follow me on twitter.com/drchatterjeeuk

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We live in a world that celebrates and rewards talent. Whether it’s gifted students, outstanding athletes or born musicians, we applaud those who get there effortlessly, instead of those who travel furthest to reach the same place. In doing so, my guest today believes we also overlook our own potential to do great things.

Adam Grant is an organisational psychologist, University of Pennsylvania professor, podcaster, and the bestselling author of multiple books. His latest book, Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things, is a thought-provoking look at what it really takes to succeed, how to find joy in progress, and why the true measure of potential is not how high you reach, but how far you came to get there.

Adam believes that many of us rule ourselves out of learning more or trying harder because we lack self-belief and strength of character. But character, he says, is not innate – it’s a skill we can learn. If your personality is how you show up on a typical day, then character is how you show up on a hard one.

In our conversation, we discuss how every single one of us can unleash our own hidden potential. We discuss the importance of character skills such as generosity, why it’s good to be one of life’s givers, but how it can lead to burnout and threaten our potential.

We also cover perfectionism and discuss why this trait has been on the rise since the 1980s. From a fear of trying new things, to a refusal to work on your weaknesses, it’s clear that only accepting your best is a sure-fire way to limit growth.

Adam also explains why hobbies are so important for us, especially when it comes to beating burnout. We also talk about the importance of flow state and the best ways in which we can parent our children to enable them to achieve their own innate potential.

Adam’s philosophy is that confidence is a result of progress not the precursor to it. This conversation is jam packed with potential – especially if you use it as a springboard to take action.

Support the podcast and enjoy Ad-Free episodes. Try FREE for 7 days on Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/feelbetterlivemore. For other podcast platforms go to https://fblm.supercast.com.

Thanks to our sponsors:

https://calm.com/livemore

https://drinkag1.com/livemore

https://vivobarefoot.com/livemore

Show notes https://drchatterjee.com/406

DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices