Hearts and Habits | A Christian podcast for health, wellness and nutrition

If God looks at the heart rather than the number on the scales, does our weight really matter to Him?

Does God even care about my weight? It’s a question that sits beneath many conversations about health, dieting, and body image. In this episode, I explore what the Bible does and doesn’t say about weight, and how we can pursue health without tying our worth or faithfulness to a number on the scales.

My hope is that this episode encourages you to think about how to steward our bodies practically while keeping our eyes and heart focused on God, without letting aesthetics or our bodies become an idol. I hope this discussiong also leads to listeners being encouraged to care for their bodies, love their bodies, becuase it doesn’t automatically result in an adulterous heart.

If you have any questions, concerns, opinions about my approach, please do comment or send me a message.

Read more about a Christian approach to nutrition here: tanyastead.substack.com/

Or contact me for nutrition advice: www.tanyastead.com

Why do we struggle to stay consistent with healthy habits, even when we know exactly what we should be doing?

In this episode of Hearts and Habits: A Christian Approach to Nutrition and Healthy Wellbeing, Tanya explores why consistency is rarely a knowledge problem. Instead, our habits, environment, emotional triggers, and daily routines often shape our choices more than information does.

Drawing from Proverbs 16:3, this episode encourages listeners to bring their health goals before God, inviting Him into every aspect of life, including nutrition, exercise, and wellbeing. Tanya shares practical examples of habit replacement and simple environmental changes that can make healthy choices easier and more sustainable.

In this episode:

- Why knowing what to do isn't enough to create lasting change

- The role of habits, emotions, and environment in shaping daily choices

- How faith can support your health and wellbeing journey

- Why consistency is built through small actions repeated over time

- The importance of replacing habits rather than simply trying to remove them

- Practical ways to redesign your environment to support healthier choices

- Moving from an "I'll start again on Monday" mindset to sustainable lifestyle change

"Consistency isn't about becoming perfect overnight. It's about making small changes that become part of your routine and trusting God to transform your thinking along the way."

What is one small habit or environmental change you could make this week that would help support the healthy lifestyle you're working towards?

If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a friend, family member, or anyone who may be feeling frustrated with starting over and struggling to stay consistent.

Follow me on Substack: https://tanyastead.substack.com/

Have you noticed how some people use the Bible to justify restrictive eating patterns? It makes me sad to see Scripture used this way, a form of biblical justification or eisegesis.

So, what can we do about this? As Christians, I think it's important to recognise the ways people refer to a Christian approach to dieting (or lifestyle). If you're a nutritionist or health coach, it's also important that we do not promote this type of thinking.

Here are some of the problematic ways the Bible is used in wellness culture that I discuss in this episode:

1. Eat only the foods mentioned in the Bible – a highly restrictive approach.
2. Because many of the foods mentioned in the Bible are natural and unprocessed, we should only eat whole, unprocessed foods (and never eat processed foods. Yes, even pasteurised milk can be criticised, with some suggesting that consuming it is sinful or shameful).
3. Eat like our ancestors – rebranding or relabelling other diet trends.

If you've found this topic helpful, or if you have any comments or opinions to share, please feel free to engage with me.

You can learn more about Christian Nutrition on my substack https://tanyastead.substack.com/

Or contact me www.tanyastead.com

In this episode of Hearts and Habits, we explore the powerful connection between physical wellness and spiritual growth. Just as a healthy diet isn’t built on constant feasting, our spiritual lives aren’t sustained by occasional deep dives alone.

We often imagine health — both physical and spiritual — as something achieved through big, dramatic efforts. But the truth is, lasting transformation comes from consistent daily habits. We don’t feast on food every day, and we don’t always have the time for lengthy, in-depth study of God’s Word. Instead, nourishment comes through steady rhythms: small choices, repeated faithfully over time.

Together, we’ll look at how the principles of balanced nutrition mirror a healthy spiritual life — learning how small, intentional habits can strengthen our bodies, deepen our faith, and help us move toward the health goals God has placed on our hearts.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by perfectionism or overwhelmed trying to “do it all,” this episode offers encouragement, grace, and practical wisdom for building habits that truly last — in both your wellness journey and your walk with Christ.

If you’ve ever felt like thoughts about food are constantly running in the background of your mind, you’re not alone. In this episode, we dive into the concept of food noise—what it is, why it happens, and how it affects your relationship with eating, self-control, and daily life.

I break down 5 common causes of food noise, including emotional triggers, physiological patterns, habits, dieting history, and spiritual battles. Then, I offer practical, realistic strategies to help you manage and reduce food noise so you can feel more grounded, peaceful, and in control.

And because health is not only physical — but also emotional and spiritual — we take a moment to look at what the Bible teaches about self-control. These spiritual tools can help you navigate food noise in a deeper, more sustainable way.

If you’re ready to quiet the mental chatter around food and move toward more mindful, intentional eating, this episode is for you.

✨ Comment below and share your experience with food noise — what resonates, what challenges you, and what works for you.
✨ Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more support, tips, and encouragement: @nutritivechef

In this solo episode, I dive deep into the foundations of a healthy diet from both a practical and biblical perspective. If you're a Christian who wants to eat healthier, take control of your weight, and learn how to care for your body in a way that honors God—this episode is for you.

I’ll unpack:
✅ What a healthy diet really means
✅ Why there are so many types of diets (and how to choose wisely)
✅ What calories and nutrients are—and why they matter
✅ The truth about inflammation: what causes it and how to reduce it
✅ What ultra-processed foods do to your body and brain
✅ Simple, sustainable steps to improve your health
✅ A powerful Bible verse to inspire you to care for your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit

Whether you're starting your health journey or looking for faith-based motivation to stay on track, this episode will equip and encourage you.