This week, we’re talking about why vegetarian and vegan diets can cut cancer risk by up to a quarter, the “worst foods for cellulite” and what the science actually says, and the first UK trial to prove that home cooking and minimally processed foods lead to twice as much weight loss as ready-made UPFs.

We also get into the rise of blueberries, how they went from totally unknown in the UK just a few decades ago to outselling apples, pears and even oranges today, and what that means for British farming.

Plus, all our personal updates, this week’s wellness trends and news about new Wellness Scoop episodes! 

For listener questions, please either email [email protected] or leave them on spotify/apple podcasts and leave your name, we love knowing more about you! 

And for 50% off Ella’s new book ‘Quick Wins’ with the code ‘QUICKWINS50’ (enter code at checkout) https://www.waterstones.com/book/quick-wins-healthy-cooking-for-busy-lives/ella-mills/9781529316759

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In this summer bonus episode of The Wellness Scoop, we’re asking if perfectionism could be quietly holding back your health goals and revealing the truth about supplements: which are worth your money, which aren’t, and how to know the difference.

We’ll also look at why healthy eating is still a privilege for so many, pets vs partners when it comes to happiness, and the latest wellness trends, from the rise of sobriety to the morning routine obsession and the buzz around “OAT-Zempic.”

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Welcome to a special summer bonus episode of The Wellness Scoop. We’re asking two big questions — are seed oils really as bad as the headlines claim, and does your gut health matter more than your genetics?

We’ll dig into the science behind the seed oil debate, from where the fear started to what research actually says about their impact on inflammation, heart health and longevity. Then we’ll explore new studies on the gut–brain connection, and how lifestyle choices might shape your health as much as, or more than, your DNA.

Plus, why dancing could be the most joyful workout, loneliness as a rising health risk, and the latest trends from the spinach scare to the Hot Girl Walk.

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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

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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.

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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

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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:

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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:

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This week, we’re diving into the stories shaping what we eat, how we shop and the way we live.

We’re talking about the government’s new push to tackle obesity by cutting just 50 calories a day, whether weight-loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro are already changing our shopping habits, and the latest on possible bans or tighter rules for alcohol advertising in the UK.

We also get into which oils you actually want to be cooking with at home, why M&S has just trademarked something called “Punishment Juice,” and a major new NHS survey that reveals one in four young adults are now living with a mental health condition.

Plus, could creatine help prevent Alzheimer’s? We look at what the science says so far — along with all our personal updates and this week’s recommendations, from cult podcasts to berry-packed smoothies.

This week’s recs:

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This week, we’re breaking down the new government data on the UK’s diet, from fibre and fruit and veg to vitamin D and iodine. It’s a clear snapshot of how we’re eating and why some of the most basic habits still aren’t sticking. We share what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what small shifts could help close the gap.

We’re also diving into the surprising findings on insect protein. Once seen as a sustainable fix for the future, a new report suggests the environmental impact may be much higher than expected.

Then we explore the rise of wearable tech for your brain, with a look at the new e-tattoo that tracks mental load in real time. Helpful tool or step too far? We discuss.

Plus, we take on cortisol cocktails. Are they fact or fiction? And what actually works when it comes to managing stress? We share six simple, science-backed habits to support your nervous system.

We also unpack the foods that act like drugs when eaten in excess, and what that means for your health.

And in this week’s listener question: ghee, butter or olive oil. Which one should you be using in your cooking?

Get your copy of Rhi's new book 'The Unprocessed Plate' HERE

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