The Wellness Scoop

The Wellness Scoop

Health and wellness made simple: Join Ella Mills and Rhiannon Lambert weekly for advice, tips, and inspiration to help you live a healthier, happier life — no matter how busy you are.

  • 41 minutes 12 seconds
    Sweet vs Savoury Breakfasts, Celeb Supplements & ACV Shots

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re answering your questions on breakfast smoothies, savoury breakfasts, blood sugar balance and the wellness habits everyone seems to be talking about right now.

    We unpack whether blending foods like oats and bananas actually changes their nutritional value, take a closer look at glucose-focused eating, ACV shots and food-order hacks, and explain what the evidence really says about managing blood sugar in midlife without extremes.

    We also discuss celebrity-backed supplements like NMN, what we know (and don’t know) about longevity claims, and finish with a calm, evidence-based look at deodorant versus antiperspirant, aluminium fears and how to think about everyday chemical exposure without panic.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

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    19 February 2026, 2:00 am
  • 55 minutes 21 seconds
    Reclaiming Our Attention, Cancer-Linked Ingredients & Fermented Foods

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re talking about why so many of us feel constantly distracted, what new research is revealing about cancer-linked ingredients in everyday foods, and why fermented foods are one of the most evidence-backed habits worth building into real life.

    We break down why attention feels so hard to hold onto right now, how scrolling, sleep and alcohol quietly shape focus and memory, and what the science actually shows helps us reclaim concentration without cutting technology out altogether.

    We also unpack major new studies linking long-term exposure to certain food preservatives with increased cancer and type 2 diabetes risk, what this says about how our food system has changed, and the realistic food swaps that matter most.

    We close by looking at fermented foods, why aiming to include them weekly, or ideally daily, is strongly linked to better gut health, lower inflammation and overall wellbeing, and how to do it simply.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

    Find out more about today's contributor, Sophie Medlin at City Dietitions - and check out her work with Which? where she gives the lowdown on supplements

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    16 February 2026, 2:00 am
  • 44 minutes 45 seconds
    IBS, Oils and the Fats We’re All Confused About

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re talking about everything from navigating long-term IBS and nutrient gaps on a plant-forward diet, to making sense of fats, oils and everyday cooking choices.

    We answer questions on flax and chia, including whether heat affects their omega-3 content and how to use them practically in meals. We look at iodine intake on a mostly plant-based diet, which foods contribute meaningfully, when supplementation can be helpful, and how to approach it without unnecessary anxiety or restriction.

    We also explore IBS, why symptoms can persist for years, why one-size-fits-all diets often fall short, and what sustainable, personalised support can look like. Alongside this, we reflect on messages about phone use and digital habits, and how small shifts away from constant scrolling can support overall wellbeing.

    Finally, we dig into fats and oils. We break down saturated fat and coconut oil, what the evidence says about cholesterol, how often it’s realistic to use, and how to think about vegan cheeses. We also compare olive oil and cold-pressed rapeseed oil, when each works best, and why variety tends to matter more than perfection.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to: [email protected] 

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    12 February 2026, 2:00 am
  • 51 minutes 55 seconds
    Scrolling Less, Moving More & Tips for Everyday Health

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re talking about why variety in movement matters for long-term health, what new data is telling us about the rise in bowel cancer among younger adults, and why so many of us are starting to question how screens shape our time, attention and wellbeing.

    We break down large new studies showing that mixing up how you move, even in small amounts, is linked to a lower risk of early death, and why the benefits level off long before extremes. We then explore new data on bowel cancer in under-50s, looking at alcohol intake, ultra-processed foods, red and processed meat, fibre and physical activity, and what the evidence consistently shows helps reduce risk without fear or all-or-nothing thinking.

    We also dig into research showing that scrolling is the most common but least enjoyable way we spend our free time, and what people actually find more rewarding instead. Finally, we explore the growing return to analogue living, from craft hobbies and physical books to analogue bags and low-tech swaps, and why this shift may be less about nostalgia and more about reclaiming attention in an increasingly digital world.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

    Check out Ella's new Substack HERE

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    9 February 2026, 2:00 am
  • 45 minutes 54 seconds
    Blood Sugar Spikes, Magnesium & Eating Well on a Budget

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re answering your questions on eating well in real life, especially when routines are disrupted, budgets are stretched and online wellness advice starts to feel overwhelming.

    We talk about healthy eating around shift work, whether fruit on its own really causes harmful blood sugar spikes, and how to avoid a whole food approach tipping into restriction or food anxiety. We also unpack the surge in protein-focused TV shows and “nutrient-dense” supermarket ranges, and what’s genuinely useful versus clever marketing.

    There’s practical guidance on fibre too, including how to lower intake temporarily when advised, and how to reintroduce it without gut discomfort. We answer a brilliant question on magnesium and sleep, cutting through supplement hype to look at what the evidence says and whether food can meet your needs.

    Finally, we explore smart supermarket shopping, whether budget and premium stores differ nutritionally, what’s worth spending more on, and where you can save without compromising health. Along the way, we share listener tips on affordable swaps and low-tox home choices.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

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    5 February 2026, 2:00 am
  • 1 hour 51 seconds
    Optimism, Immunity and the Truth About Burning Fat

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re talking about whether optimism can influence immune health, what the science really says about exercising on an empty stomach, and why cabbage is being tipped as 2026’s “it” vegetable.

    We break down new research linking mindset and immune response, look at the evidence on fasted exercise, fat loss, metabolic health and hormones, and explore the rise of fibre, gut health and fermented foods through the return of cabbage to centre stage. We also dig into the darker side of modern wellness, including the rise of extreme detox trends like blood “cleaning”, and why supporting the body’s natural detox systems remains far more grounded in science.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

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    2 February 2026, 2:00 am
  • 50 minutes 35 seconds
    Are Portion Sizes Sexist? Meditation and Heavy Metals

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re unpacking some of the health debates that have been quietly everywhere. We start with the question that sparked a lot of reaction in December: should restaurants offer smaller portion sizes for women? We look at where the idea came from, what the data actually says, and why it struck such a nerve.

    We then turn to meditation and breathwork. We talk about why they’re suddenly part of so many conversations around stress, hormones and the nervous system, what they’re actually doing in the body, and how to get started without turning calm into another thing to get “right”.

    We also dig into your questions about food and health claims, from concerns around heavy metals in dark chocolate to whether “wellness” versions of everyday foods really offer anything extra. It’s a grounded look at what matters, what’s overhyped, and how to think about health choices without adding more pressure.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to: [email protected]

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    29 January 2026, 2:00 am
  • 53 minutes 58 seconds
    Exercise as Therapy, Super-Salads & the Pressure to Optimise

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re unpacking some of the health stories shaping how we think about wellbeing right now. We start with new research showing that regular, moderate exercise can be as effective as therapy for depression for some people, and what the evidence actually says about what works best.

    We then look at two stories that reveal how much our food environment matters. New data shows just how much hidden salt we’re consuming in the UK, alongside research revealing how quickly weight can return after stopping weight-loss injections. Together, they highlight why long-term health can’t rely on medication alone.

    We finish by exploring modern wellness culture, from the rise of the £12.50 super-salad as Gen Z’s new “treat” to the growing pressure to optimise every part of our lives, and when the pursuit of health can start to feel more stressful than supportive.


    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to: [email protected]

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    26 January 2026, 2:00 am
  • 36 minutes 1 second
    Fads, Fasting & Finding Calm

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re answering your questions on fasting trends, supplements, junk food advertising, and the beauty and wellness advice filling our feeds. Plus Ella deep dives into our time off social media and how she stopped doom scrolling to find more calm. 

    We also talk about low iron and how to support iron intakes without relying on red meat, genetically high cholesterol and why diet alone doesn’t always change the numbers, and whether viral trends like sardine fasts or sea moss actually offer benefits or unnecessary risk. We also unpack magnesium for sleep, red light face masks, and how to approach supplements and beauty tech without getting pulled in by marketing.

    We zoom out to the wider food environment too, including junk food advertising bans, celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed food, and whether these policies are likely to shape children’s health in a meaningful way. Along the way, we cover warm, nourishing meals that are easier to digest, budget-friendly shopping, and how to eat well without slipping into restriction.

    Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [email protected].

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    22 January 2026, 2:00 am
  • 56 minutes 27 seconds
    Detox Myths, Morning Rituals & The US New Dietary Guidelines

    This week on The Wellness Scoop, we’re digging into some of the biggest health stories shaping how we eat and live right now. We start with new data showing how weight-loss injections are quietly changing eating habits, with more people grazing on snacks instead of sitting down to meals, and what that could mean for nutrition, routine and long-term health.

    We then explore the idea of the “perfect” morning routine. Inspired by a Guardian piece we loved, we talk about why there’s no one-size-fits-all formula, but how a handful of simple, repeatable habits can genuinely improve how the day begins without turning mornings into another thing to optimise.

    We also take on detox culture. Drawing on a grounded BBC article, we explain why your body already detoxes itself extremely effectively, what actually supports those systems, and why fibre is emerging as one of the most important nutrition conversations of the year. And we unpick the new US food guidelines for you.

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    19 January 2026, 2:00 am
  • 48 minutes 16 seconds
    Intermittent Fasting, Secrets to Gut Health and Biggest Nutrition Myths

    This week we’re answering your biggest nutrition questions with Professor Sarah Berry, one of the UK’s leading nutritional scientists. Together we break down how to really understand UPFs, what the science says about seed oils and how to spot the healthier options, and the simple everyday principles that genuinely support how you feel.

    We dive into gut health and why diet diversity matters, the myths surrounding glucose, whether intermittent fasting is useful, and the truth about everything from plant points to low-fat foods. It’s a clear, practical, myth-busting conversation designed to cut through the confusion and help you feel confident in your everyday choices.

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    15 January 2026, 2:00 am
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