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If you enjoyed our last episode “The Garden Within”, but it left you wanting more, this one is for you. Join us for the extended version of Mikala’s conversation with Dr Amy Loughman as they explore the gut microbiome in further detail. Topics covered: Microbiome across the life stagesThe role our microbiome plays in digestionEnvironmental factors and food that can influence the microbiomeThe gut microbiome and its effect on mood, behaviour and health Episode links: The good gut Food and mood centre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guts contain a wide variety of bacteria known as ‘gut bugs’ or commonly called the microbiome. This rich ecosystem can be as diverse and fruitful as a forest floor. Join Mikala as she explores this topic with Dr Amy Loughman from the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University. In this episode, they chat about how the microbiome develops throughout childhood and some of the life events that can shape this developmental journey. Tune in and find out more about how the microbiome can influence both our physical and mental health. Topics covered: Microbiome across the life stages The role our microbiome plays in digestion Environmental factors and food that can influence the microbiome The gut microbiome and its effect on mood, behaviour and health. Episode links: The good gut Food and mood centre Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With so much focus on what to feed our kids, have you ever stopped to think about the importance of how we feed them? In this episode Mikala dives into food parenting practices with Dr Kathryn Walton from Guelph University. They chat about how to set up positive mealtimes and the importance of parents being on the same page when it comes to the family table and beyond.   This one’s a meaty episode so grab your carrot sticks and get comfy.   Topics covered:       The division of responsibility (when to serve and what is on offer)       Appetite regulation and listening to hunger cues       Parents roles in establishing feeding patterns        How to set up positive mealtimes       Where to get more information.  Episode links       Guelph family study cookbooks       Guelph family study website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The range of baby and toddler foods on the market has exploded over the last decade, with more pouches and puffs available every day. But are these really foods we want to be feeding our kids? Join Mikala as she chats with Andrea Schmidtke, public health lawyer and researcher at the Food for Health Alliance, about the impact these foods are having on our children as they begin developing their eating habits. Mikala and Andrea also discuss the need for stronger regulations around what goes into baby and toddler foods as well as how they are marketed to families. Topics covered: What is in baby and toddler foods and why we should be mindful of what we choose Marketing and the many tactics companies use and how to see through themThe need for tighter regulations to protect familiesHow families can navigate the toddler food aisle and what to avoid Episode links: Kids are sweet enough campaign.Parent resource for navigating the baby and toddler aisle resourceChoosing food for babies and young children - Food For Health Alliance – various languages (Arabic, Burmese, Chinese, Dari, Punjabi, Vietnamese).Beyond the Label report Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The traditional family model is changing, as many families now juggle both parents working outside the home. Grandparents are increasingly stepping in to offer support and perform a regular childcare role. Join Mikala as she speaks with Professor Michelle Jongenelis about her research examining this changing landscape and the important role grandparents play in shaping children’s habits, such as what they eat and how much they move their body.    Topics covered: -         The changing family model -         Grandparents role and impact on children’s nutrition and physical activity -         The importance of consistent and clear communication between parents and grandparents -         Valuable resources and tools for grandparents and families to support children’s health and wellbeing   Episode links: Dr Michelle Jongenelis website and factsheets  Grandparents as healthy eating champions factsheet  Fussy grandchild  Healthy eating activity cards  Crunch&Sip websiteLiveLighter website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Mikala’s detailed conversation with Dr Joanna McMillan about her book The Fibre Factor, join us for this bonus bite-sized episode where we summarise the info in a quick 20 questions, easy to digest format.   Episode links    The Fibre Factor    Dr Joanna McMillan’s website Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Find out what your gut wants you to know about fibre as Mikala talks with Dr Joanna McMillan about her latest book The Fibre Factor. In this engaging conversation they discuss why fibre leads to more than just healthy digestion, the different types of fibre and why diversity matters, how fibre can improve the whole body and lots of family-friendly and practical ways to include more fibre in the diet.   Topics covered:     The fibre dream team – diversity counts      The role of fibre in the body and the many benefits beyond the gut    Practical ways you can increase fibre every day    Why starting low and going slow is the key to increasing fibre, rather than “fibre maxxing”  Episode links    The Fibre Factor    Dr Joanna McMillan’s website    @the.guthealthdietitian  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we support our emerging athletes as they juggle the demands of school and sports?    Join Mikala as she talks about sustaining snacks and meals that maximise nutrition with Julie Meek, performance specialist and Sports Dietitian.   Julie shares her top tips when it comes to juggling a full training schedule and ensuring kids find time to fuel up on the food needed for healthy growth and development. Hear ways to boost iron, pack in protein and the importance of considering calcium for growing skeletons.   Topics covered in today’s episode: How to fuel kids with busy sports schedulesWhen to eat and how to tackle tricky timing when juggling late games or early starts Which nutrients are needed mostThe importance of allowing children to regulate their appetite and develop a positive relationship with foodBeing mindful of marketing around foods that are high in proteinWhen to reach for a sports drink  Episode links: Julie Meek websiteEat for Health websiteBetter Health Channel – understanding lactose intoleranceTranscript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us as we yarn about bush foods with Dale Tilbrook, a proud Wardandi Bibbulmun woman. Mikala and Dale explore bush foods and discuss some common examples, where you can find them and how to weave them into your weekly cooking.   Topics covered in today’s episode: What are bush foods Where you can find bush foodsThe rules of foraging The importance of supporting Aboriginal owned companies   Links Dale TilbrookMaalinup aboriginal gallery Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Engineered to eat: A chat about ultra processed food    We know food processing can be beneficial for safety, nutrition, and convenience, but can it go too far? In this episode, Mikala and Nicole explore food processing in detail and how different foods are categorised. They discuss how industrial methods used to make ultra processed foods can contribute to poor health and highlight the importance of understanding how to read food labels.   Topics covered in today’s episode:        What is food processing, and how are foods categorised?        Easy ways to recognise an ultra processed food.        The emerging concerns around regular consumption of ultra processed foods.        Ways to limit consumption of ultra processed foods in the home.  Episode links:         Nova classification system        Label reading episode Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Australia, allergies are on the rise, with 1 in 20 school aged children now living with a food allergy. Join Mikala as she discusses allergies with Dr Merryn Netting, Advanced Accredited Paediatric Dietitian and Senior Project Officer for the National Allergy Council. In this episode, Merryn and Mikala explore understanding allergies, how families and schools can best manage allergies, as well as some upcoming research around prevention and treatment.   Topics covered in today's episode:        Understanding what an allergy is       The most common food allergies in Australia       Allergy management in schools       Allergy management for families       Social and emotional impact of allergies       Upcoming research around the prevention and management of allergies.  Episode links: Allergy Aware Schools and Childcare Services Resource HubNip Allergies in the BubFood allergy animationsPrEggNut studyTranscript  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s well known that Dads play an important role in children's lives, but just how much of a role do they have in building children's healthy habits? Join Mikala and Professor Philip Morgan, Project Lead of the Healthy Dads Healthy Kids program, as they talk about the positive influence Dads can have on their children's nutrition and physical activity. Philip also shares some key tips for Dads who want to be the best role models and lead the way for their kids.   Topics covered in today's episode:     The changing landscape around gender roles in households    The importance of co-parenting and playing on the same team    The influence Dads have on children's nutrition and physical activity    Barriers Dads may face in being involved in food tasks    Top Tips for Dads to get involved  Episode:      Healthy Dads, Healthy Kids website     Daughters and Dads website     Healthy Youngsters Healthy Dads     Research from Philip Morgan Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your family feeling the pinch with the increase in cost of living? Or are you trying to find ways to save money for that next family holiday? Setting a weekly food budget and sticking to it is a good way to stay on top of your money. Tune in to Mikala and Nicole’s conversation about food budgeting, where they share tips on how you can save money at the supermarket and make your food shop go further.   Topics covered in today's episode:       How to save money at the supermarket      The value of meal planning and shopping lists     How to make your food last longer and stretch further  Episode links:         Weekly meal planner        Weekly lunchbox planner        Long-life food tips        How to use the fridge crisper draw        Meat and greet: the low down on meat and meat alternatives Crunch Bites episode  Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to eat sustainably, and how do we reduce daily exposure to plastics in our food? Join Mikala as she talks eating sustainably with Dr Amelia Harray, Advanced Accredited Practicing Dietitian, and Clinical Researcher. Find out how the way you shop, the equipment you cook with and the way you store food impacts your health and the environment. Amelia shares her top tips and discusses affordable and accessible ways to reduce exposure to plastics and improve your health.   Topics covered in today’s episode:    What it means to eat sustainably   Understanding plastics and how the food we choose can make a difference   Ways to manage exposure to plastics when cooking and storing food in the home Episode links:    Eat Sustainably   The PERTH trial Facebook and website   Plastic, diet, and human health TranscriptResearch referenced:      Plastics and health     Phthalate and bisphenol A exposures     Phthalate exposure in pregnancy    Human health studies on plastic-associated chemicals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your child have a sensory sensitivity to food or are they a fussy eater? Are you curious to learn more about how our senses impact feeding practices? Then this episode is for you.   Join Nicole as she speaks with Kerry Judge, an Advanced Clinical Speech Pathologist who leads the fussy eating team at Rocky Bay. Nicole and Kerry chat about sensory sensitivities and fussy eating, as well as what can cause these food challenges for families. Kerry shares her top tips on how you can address these challenges at home, as well as where to go for extra support.   Topics covered in this episode: -      What are sensory sensitivities and how does this relate to fussy eating? -      Potential causes of these food challenges -      Practical tips to overcome fussy eating or sensory sensitivities -      The SOS (staged exposure) approach to sensory sensitivities -      Where to seek extra information or support   Episode links:       Rocky bay services      Dr Kay Toomey’s SOS approach to feeding      Food based sensory activities Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.