The Wellness Scoop - Superfood Hype, Collagen, Air Fryers & Hidden Veggie Wins

Episode Date: March 5, 2026

This week on The Wellness Scoop, we are answering your questions and unpacking some of the biggest wellness trends shaping everyday choices. We start with spirulina. Is it a true superfood or more marketing than substance? We look at what it actually contains, whether it meaningfully contributes fibre, why it is not a reliable source of B12, and what to consider during pregnancy and breastfeeding. We then tackle the air fryer debate. Does it really save money on energy bills and is it healthier than using a traditional oven? We break down how it works, what the science says about fat use and cooking methods, and when it makes sense to invest in one. We also share practical ideas for increasing fibre in children who struggle with vegetables, explore whether gums and emulsifiers in plant milks are something to worry about, and answer your questions on omega 7, dried fruit, collagen and protecting brain health as we age. Send your questions for our weekly Q&A to [e-mail]. Order your copy of Ella's new book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quick Wins: Healthy Cooking for Busy Lives⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pre-order your copy of Rhi's upcoming book: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Fibre Formula⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the Wellness Group, your twice weekly dose of health and wellness inspiration with us. We're always here as your host. I'm Ella Mills. And I'm Rihanna Lambert and we are so excited today to be taking your questions. It's one of our favourite days of the week, so let's do it. Okay, first of all, Ree, have you got any good recommendations for us today? I feel like you got loads. You're grinning like a Cheshire Cat. Do you know, I am because it's not on the brief. I started a book called Fourth Wing.

Oh my God, everyone's obsessed. I read it in like Romanticy is the genre Right? It's a new genre Sex with Dragons I mean no no it's not sex for dragons So you know it's not sex

Can you imagine It's not sex I didn't know it was a romanticcy Again I should do research For I pick up books But Melissa my friend and my makeup artist She was like Rie you have to read this book

I mean people are beyond obsessed I could not put it down And I ordered the second one It's in my bag I can't remember what it's called So you like devoured the book Iron Flame yeah Oh my God it's enormous

Look how big it is and I got through the first one in like a week. That's how every night I'm up past my bedtime curfew because I cannot put it down. So I've never been gripped by a book because the story is like you enter a new world. It's like the best, Lord of the Rings is quite hard to read but you can get sucked in. This is fantastic to read. It's like the modern version of a new world. Oh my God. I've never been like.

I don't know if you will love it but I do want you to try it. I'm ready now. I'll bring it in next week. You've really persuaded me. Okay. Oh, I've still got the housemate to get into. Oh, yeah, you've got the housemate. But I would recommend starting this because there's so many.

many books and she's writing apparently a few more. There might be like up to five or six books. Oh my gosh. And they're making it into a TV show. I am now officially a hardcore fan. See, it's so interesting. Like I, for example, miss the whole Game of Thrones. Yeah.

It's too graphic for me that. But then interestingly, when May was born, this is weird because it's probably not the time to watch Sex with Dragons. No, honestly, don't worry. This is not Sex for Dragons everyone. You know. Anyway, I watched the whole. Game of Thrones in the first like few weeks. Did you fast forward all the horrible bits? I did.

There were a few bits where I was like, oh my gosh. I can't believe they even. Who had that in their head to even direct that? So brutal at points. But I loved it. It's really good story. And I always dismissed it. I had sex with dragons. I'm sorry, I can't watch a show with dragons. Like this is not my mind. I was obsessed. So I'm sure I'll love this. Yes, I think you will because I'm the same as you. I don't appreciate the violent aspect and those types of things. But I love the fantasy like the idea of these different worlds and the story behind the kingdoms and the history. And it's amazing how effective another world is at kind of removing you in a nice way, but removing you from this one and having that kind of complete escapism.

It's my complete escape. It's like Disney for me reading a book like this. It's like growing up Disney. Oh my gosh. That's my first wreck. Well, the romanticity is completely taken over books. Oh my gosh. It's unbelievable.

It's like absolutely steaming. It's amazing. It's so gripping. Like I'm so invested in these characters and their stories and what they're about to embark upon. And I don't want to give it away to anyone because at first I thought I can't read this. I took one look at the book, like the dark black front cover and like the lightning on it. I thought this is not for me. And I was like, what are you on about Melissa?

But actually after like one chapter, I was completely addicted. You can't put it down. Okay. Fourth wing is the first one. Fourth wing. Start with fourth wing. Sorry if I've got that wrong because I know there's lots of different sequel things. But that's the one I was recommended to start with.

Okay. It's work for me. Then I watch next. top model, the documentary on Netflix. Everyone is talking about this. I've seen quite a lot of social clips, but I haven't watched it yet, but I saw you popped in. I wanted to hear about it because I watched American's Next Top Model.

So did I. Britain's Next Top Model. I feel like most of us probably did. I think even Lisa presented one, Lisa Snowden at one point. Yeah, she definitely did, didn't she? Yeah. But hers wasn't like this one. This is Tyra Banks, right?

Yes. I mean, I have huge respect for her, how she started her career. And it shows how, you know, being a woman of color in a model industry, and just not being seen in the right way and then suddenly getting your big break and how hard she worked and grafted. And initially she was seen as kind of the spokesperson for helping all these models for diversity.

But it soon changed the dynamic and the show. Like they filmed someone essentially being sexually assaulted and it was just screened on national TV. It's shocking. And there's this one woman, she's brave enough to come on camera now today and speak about her experience. On the documentary?

On the documentary? It's unbelievable back then what you would do to people, how you would talk about them, about their weight, their shape, their size, what you'd do the lengths of TV. Like this woman was clearly intoxicated, drunk, not able to defend. And they filmed the whole thing. Like the camera crew were just there. And it aired. It's really shocking. So for me, I think it was a really important watch.

But it was, you know, early 2000s, heroin chic, like kind of vibe. Victoria's Secrets came in. It was a really toxic reminder of why a lot of us have strange relationships with food or a view of the world. So that's my recommendations. They're quite diverse. I like it. I'm going to jump on both of them. Yeah, it is interesting.

Oh gosh, I so remember kind of late teens, early 20s when Victoria's Secret was just, it was probably late teens with Victoria Secre was just huge. You had like the kind of Paharty Prinslow, like Candace Swanapole. You just wanted a bag, though, didn't you? You just wanted a shopping bag. Adriama Lima. Like, when it was like those people who were the angels. Yeah. And they were just, gosh. I mean, I mean, they're such beautiful women.

But like the shape that they were in was so extraordinary. And it was almost like everyone needed to look like that, which is just so beyond the realms of any sense of possibility. But when you're kind of teenager, you don't really see it like that. Do you know who I listen to? I'm a bit obsessed of Paul Brunson's podcast. We need to talk. I need to listen to her. He had Miranda Kerr on, the supermodel.

Oh, she was one of the big angels, wasn't she? Highly recommend listening to that. Really good listen. She has a wellness brand. Yeah, she's so down to earth. She's just lovely. Absolutely lovely. She doesn't even consider herself a supermodel the way she was speaking.

You know, she's married to Mr. Snapchat? Yeah, that was interesting. She did defend Snapchat platform, which, of course, you would if you're the wife of Snapchat, but she did not defend Instagram. So it was very interesting. I was obviously objectively thinking, hmm, I know why. you're saying that, but she had a very good interview. Is that because you get less comparison on Snapchat?

I don't have Snapchat, but it's more like sending pictures to your friends. Yeah, she, I think she was in a bit of denial about what harm that platform can cause in different ways to kids as well. But ultimately she came across very, very well. She's a girl from nothing. Like, she came from nothing. And she made it to this place. And I've got a great relationship with Vlander Boom. I feel like I'm at complete gossip.

But I listen to Paul Brunson. If you ever listen to Wellness Scoop. I know what I'm listening to. way home. I've got so much to take away from this. Paul Branson podcast, America's Next Top Model documentary and fourth wing book. Fourth Wing, guys, has changed my life. And don't compare yourself to a Victoria's Secret Model. Yes, there you go. Okay. Ella.

Do you know, I don't really have any wrecks this week, if I'm honest. I am halfway through a book. Lily King's writers and lovers. I saw that. Are you hooked or is it just a bit slow? It's a little bit slow, but I feel like I'm stopping and starting it a bit too much, which I don't think it's the book to do that with. I think I need to sit down this evening and really get into it,

but I just have been a bit not. But no, otherwise, honestly, I know this is so silly. Probably doesn't even quantify as a wreck, you guys let me know, but like getting outside, honestly, I know it sounds so silly. It's like yesterday, it was Sunday. And everyone just, not like everyone was in a bad mood, but I feel like by the afternoon, everyone was a little bit bricrous,

myself included. I was like, stop squabbling. And the house was just bit upside down, the kitchen's completely upside down. We'd have an oven at the moment. The noise levels. But like the fridge is plugged and not plugged in and in the kitchen.

It's like the other side of the room. Anyways, it's completely whining about things that you're lucky to have. But equally it's like everyone was just a bit wound up. And I was like, we're just going outside and we went on a walk. And it's just so silly, isn't it?

It's just the difference it makes. It's the same this morning of just like walking 10 minutes. Oh my God. Feel mood. No. And feeling that warmth. we said on Monday spring is here, but even my little three-year-old said, I want to go outside, Mommy at the weekend. And I was like, yes, so do I. I can see the sun shining. Let's just

get out. Yeah, just getting in the habit, getting out, moving gently. Oh my gosh. Just a five, 10 minute walk down the street and back, anything. Yeah, 100%. Really picks up your mind. And honestly, same I'd say, just as a reminder for this week, like, just don't underestimate five minutes. I don't know. I had it, like, I came back and it just had been over my laptop all day, and my shoulders just felt so tight and he did five minutes of stretching. Oh my gosh, they felt so different. That's what I need to do on my reformist still. And Camilla's app. I need to get my bird app. Oh, my mom's app. Yes. I was like Camilla's app. What is Camilla's app? My mom recommended to read an app where you can listen to the birds and they'll tell you what birds they are. So true. But anyways, it was just

just this reminded that they never underestimate five minutes of calmly breathing, of stretching, of walking, because it can completely transform your mood. Yeah. No, I can. I completely agree, and I think that's one of the best recommendations. It's free. It costs nothing, and we just need a bit of motivation. Now the rain is, well, ceasing for a tiny bit. Let's see. Our first question today, Ella, is from Petra. She says, good morning, ladies. I hope this email finds you well.

I've recently found your show. It's amazing. Thank you very much. I was wondering what you thought about spirulina the supplement. I've heard there are many benefits, most importantly, fiber being one of them. I would greatly appreciate if you could share your knowledge with me. me and the other listeners. Also, is it suitable for breastfeeding or pregnant women? Thank you so much for any advice that you can offer.

I hate Sparolina. I know. If my mom is. That's personal, obviously. Everyone has different taste profiles. Oh, come on. I can't taste it either. It tastes like grass.

Yeah, but not like matcha. It's got a really distinct smell as well. When you make matcha well, match, it doesn't taste like grass. When you make match badly, it tastes like grass. I think Spirrillo maybe always tastes a little bit like grass. I would just. just say on this, to me it really reminds me of kind of 10, 12 years ago when wellness was becoming a thing for want of a better word. And I feel like if the hype now is about biohacking and things

like that, the hype then was on superfoods and things like Lorella and Spirulina. Apricot kernels. I used to work for a company that sells superfoods. I remember them all. So I was always putting things like Spirolina in my smoothies. And I was really doing it because the internet told me to and because I was kind of looking for a superfood panacea situation and there were just so many powders available everywhere anyway I don't take anything like that now and you can dive into it for us for us re but I just

it's one of those things that take it if you enjoy it I actually use it as a natural food dye yes I saw you put that in the nose it turns um it terms items items very bluey green it's great fun with the kids if you want to make like a blue yoghurt or turn your icing although they're the taste Oh, there's enough sugar and icing. So it's a blue-green algae, everyone, and it's really concentrated nutritionally. So the height behind it is justified to a degree.

Fiber, not really. You know, it's only around like 0.3 grams per 5 gram teaspoon. It's really not meaningful in terms of counting towards your 30 grams a day. It's known for its protein and antioxidant compound called fissacionin. And some small studies suggest modest benefits for cholesterol information, but I've got to be honest, this evidence is all very small, not high quality, and we don't have large-scale studies suggesting everyone should take Spirolina. I also worry about this because it's online where you purchase it often. And as we know, green powders aren't regulated. Spirulina most definitely

is not regulated. What are you actually getting in your pack? Whereas it's sourced from, can you guarantee quality of it? It's just not regulated in the same way. And often, you know, some of these have been studied. We have research that they do contain heavy metals or toxins. So if someone chooses, I think, to take it, you've got to check it's third party tested. A hundred percent. Then you see things online with people saying, like, you can use it as B12 for people who are on a plant base or mostly plant-based diet. But that's just not true. It's just not a reliable enough source of B12, is it? No, 100 percent not. And it was big. I remember when that was around, you know, in 2015, 16, everyone's saying, oh, I take it for my B12 levels. It does continue.

compounds that look like B12, really similar to when we talk about soy and phytoestrogens and people thinking that it does the same job as estrogen in your body, the female hormone, it doesn't. And it kind of mimics it, we call it like a pseudo B12. It's an inactive analog that the human body just can't use. So you just should not rely on B12 at all in spirulina. But I would also say, especially if you are a population group, like if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. So I do think it's safe to use when you're breastfeeding or pregnant, but don't

rely on it as any nutritional source. Yeah, exactly. Like if you love it, if you love the flavor of it, then it's not necessarily. Obviously, you want to check things like some heavy metals and things like that, but it's not a bad thing. I think it just isn't this like powerhouse necessarily that it's hyped up to be. And so as you said, really like in terms of fiber, it's a quite a small amount. You could add some greens to a smoothie and get more. And actually what I would say is I would avoid it if you are pregnant because it's really, rich in beta carotene, so it contains a lot of vitamin A. And actually, you don't want to get too much of that.

And you're probably already taking a multi if you're pregnant already. So I would actually go back on my words and say, if you are pregnant, I probably wouldn't take it. Breastphine depends if you're taking a supplement or not. But it is really high in vitamin A. So helpful. Okay. So I think Spirolina, take it if you like it, but I think that it's not necessarily a kind of wonderhouse. It's just blue.

I mean, the color is beautiful when you mix it. Yeah, fun colour. The next question is from Tina. What are your thoughts about an air friar? I have successfully avoided buying any kitchen gadgets. Oh, well done you. As my cooktop and oven have done their jobs well. But with power prices sky high, using the oven seems to be a luxury these days.

And apparently an air friar is an economical option and they're everywhere right now. I really value your opinions and thoughts. Love listening to your podcast. Thank you. Thanks, Tina. You know what? I have never used an air friar. Really?

Yeah. Never. I feel like a bit of an anomaly these days. The thing is, is that I guess, thank goodness, because it's a big part of my job, I really like cooking. And I think that air friars are brilliant options. And I know loads people who use them. If you're just cooking for one person, you need something quick and easy. You can do some broccoli and tofu or protein, etc.

So easily. and it's in that sense you're absolutely right Tina you know you don't have to wait for it to heat up it's often much quicker to use and so it can be much more economical 100% but you often end up which is great for washing up and things like that but you don't get quite the same experience of cooking which is what I really enjoy which is why I don't have one

and also I feel like I just don't need one more thing on my countertop because they used to be so I have a very fun random fact back in 2012 my dad I was at uni he got me an air fry in my halls because I didn't want to share the dirty kitchen. And it was mohusive. It was massive. Like this is, I'm talking old school, like 15 years. I don't even know how many years ago that was now.

15, 14 years ago, the first type of air friars existed. And I had one back then. And it did use to cook everything quicker than the conventional oven. And it's because it rapidly circulates hot air around the food in a small chamber. So it does cook faster and more evenly. So it can reduce cost, energy use basically, compared to traditional ovens. I mean, my understanding from all the research is basically it's like around 50% cheaper to run oftentimes than a conventional electric oven. If we're talking about small to medium meals, so cooking maybe for one or two.

So it could save you 100 to 200 pounds a year if you're using it frequently. But I think if you're cooking for four, often, it's not necessarily always quite as effective. They were so popular at one point, Ella, because the book charts, I remember... Oh my God, dominated by air fry cookbooks. So if you've got one, good for you. I mean, there's no harm in having them at all. And also often if you can do sort of things like deep frying in your air fire

and use a lot less oils, you can use like up to 75% less oil to make things like chips, for example. So I think there are some benefits to it for sure. But again, I think we're probably one of those things. If you don't love cooking and you want simple, healthy options, I think an air fry is absolutely brilliant. I think if you love cooking, it's working for your ready. You probably don't necessarily need one.

Me too. I remember doing this for the science and nutrition. I have a whole double, or is it plant-based one? Which one? One of the two encyclopedias, a double-page bread and all cooking methods. I compared time to cook, cost to cook. Love that. Yeah.

And I remember researching it and all these cool diagrams the illustrators put in. But if you've got one and you've got space, then you've got a whole array of cookbooks out there that exist for air fry. But also, don't forget, you might save 100 to 200 pounds, but it's going to cost you 100 to 200 pounds to buy your air briar. So obviously, if you keep using it for years and years and years, you'll save money. How much are air frys? Let's have a look. Let me tell you.

I am intrigued, because I'm sure they've got really swanky models now. I'm looking. It depends how big they are, for example, and how many people you're cooking for, but I think anywhere from basically £100 to £200. The most basic model, about £35. Oh, wow. And then for a kind of premium dual draw option, about £250 pounds. Not bad.

Yeah, no, not bad at all. I mean, and as I said, I think if you're, you know, if I was a student, for example, if I was living by myself, I think it's a fantastic option. You all know me. I'm about adding more in, not cutting things out, no fads, no diets, just evidence and transparency. And right now in the UK, everyone, 96% of us, that's 96% are not getting enough fibre. It's one of the lowest figures in the world. And I couldn't ignore it.

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and a lowest price pre-order guarantee. Sarah wants to know. She said, first of all, just wanted to say I really enjoy the podcast and listen every week. She said, I feel like I learn so much each week. And it's so helpful how you try to make things less daunting regarding wellness and nutrition. So thank you for that, Sarah. We do love our community. We love being here.

She said, I've been trying to find ways to introduce more diversity into my nephew's diet as he really struggles with new food and eats very little fruit, veg of fibre. he's 10 years old and what savoury snack meals could you suggest for him that would potentially include hidden veggies or fibre? She said this week I made your

oh that's really I'm really out about myself she made the sweet potato brownies really me and Ella have made many versions of healthy brownies but he loved them so when I told him he was really surprised

yay any suggestions Ella love that question Sarah I mean look I'm really conscious with this question it's really it's a bit of a kind of how long's piece of string type question which is it really

depends on your starting point, on things that they're already enjoying. You know, I know like in our family, for example, let's say pesto pasta, that's a hit. That's always a hit. And I think I've said before, I'll cook some peas and I'll pop some peas in the pesto. I'll put something like rocket in the pesto or arugula for American listeners, which isn't something my kids eat in abundance. I'll do half pine nuts and half cashew nuts, all those sorts of things. For the beans, like we said on Monday, we were talking about blending.

beans into everything. For sure. But, you know, I'll then, like, fry out some leagues and shallots and chickpeas and have that with the pasta. But I appreciate that. Maybe not the starting point, but the starting point could be putting a handful of greens, for example, in a pasta, making it yourself. Even, like, in a tomato sauce on a pizza, add a bit of red pepper with the tomato, but a small

bit, because obviously the taste is quite strong. But, you know, you can start off by adding a bit more garlic for a plant point in with the tomato sauce as well. For sure. And it is that classic thing that, like, you know, it is that classic thing that, like, If they love a classic bolognese, could you dice up a little bit of extra carrot to fry up with your onions at the start? Or could you? Great corsette, because that disintegrates.

Courgette's a good one. You don't notice it. Exactly. Or just, you know, half a tin of lentils in with the beef. You know, they'll mix in pretty easily. It's not a strong flavour. So I think there are just these little bits that if you want to start small, that's probably where I would start. If they do, like, I know you said he's not a big fan of fruit, but maybe there's one or two fruits he likes.

Maybe you could even do like a mango milk. shake, you know, literally like proper milk and ice cream. Or even the banana pancakes is such a good way of getting like them into eating. And Ella has so many, I think you've got so many amazing like OG recipes that really, really help with this. But even the base of the mill, white rice does blend in white chemo with it. And hopefully with a sauce or something that won't go noticed. Yeah, exactly.

Yeah. So like my kids hate mushrooms, they say, but they love mushroom lasagna because the mushrooms are chopped so small. They have no idea that the mushrooms are in the rest of. Yeah, mine also strongly dislike mushrooms. I know it's daddy's favourite veg. Yeah, but they eat them every week. Yeah, exactly.

We basically make one of those every week. Yeah. So I think start with things you know that they like and then just make some really small changes to it. As I said, so they love pasta. I've been doing like cheese and broccoli shortbread biscuits for the kids recently. I've been trying to eat as you know, and you can't see the broccoli. It doesn't turn them green and they don't notice.

Yeah. And they just eat it. Well, I said, for example, like one of my girls has had a lot of antibiotics because she's had some kind of immune challenge. challenges. And so to help feed her pets, as we talked about last week, a giraffe. Exactly. I've been trying to get more fermented foods into her. So we've been doing, she likes smoothies. She's happy having smoothies with like blueberries and raspberries and banana in. But I've been putting kaffir in her and she wouldn't drink that, but she has no idea it's in there. It's like fantastically hidden.

Yeah, it's amazing. So there's so many things you do. Black beans blended into chocolate cookies. That's a really good one as well. So yeah, have a look. in the recipe books online. I'm sure there's so many things now, but I think just be kind on yourself because it does take children often, you know, 10 to 15, sometimes more exposures to food before accepting it and they can go off food for a period of even half a year to a year and then suddenly eat it again. But it's familiarity and it's just important that you care, which you do because you're messaged in and it sounds like you're doing a great job really trying. And I know it sounds really, really obvious. I'm sure it's what everyone's really

doing, but like make it delicious. Yeah. You know, it's really interesting. Like, and even What's your slogan? Making veggies cool. Yeah. But like when we were away in Spain last week, we love as a family to have cocktails before dinner when we're on holiday. Anyways. And we sat down. We had our cocktails and they bought over just some like some crisp but also some nuts.

And there was almonds and cashews and they were really well roasted and salty. And the girls hoovered them up. I don't think if I'd given them just like a plain almond, I would have had that response. But they ate so many. They thought they were a tree. Yeah. And the way it's presented, even the way food is presented, you know, putting things in a packet might make it more appealing and then you get it out of packet in front of them and put it on a bowl. You know, little things like that, they think, oh, it's a treat coming out of package. Yeah, exactly. Psychology and Food. We have a question now from Charlotte about plant milks. And I feel this is really topical because there's so much going on at the moment. We've had loads of questions about plant milk into the inbox. I'm glad. Let's get this one dissected. She said that she uses them daily with breakfast and in my hot drinks, but I keep reading conflicting information.

about plant milks and that they contain emulsifiers, gum, stabilisers, and now I'm unsure which is the best one to have. Okay, Ella. Yeah, we've had so many questions on this, Charlotte, so you aren't not alone. There's all sorts of queries, questions about this. I mean, again, I think it's like everything in nutrition and health. There isn't a one-size-fits-all. It depends what else you're eating, right? Like, as to whether or not they need to be fortified or not are there things you're definitely missing or not? Do you just have plant milk because you prefer the taste and it's an environmental choice or is it you know you're a hundred percent vegan it's there's no kind of one answer in terms of the best thing to have because it's so dependent on all those other facets

of your life and what else you're eating most plant drinks are basically water they're like 97% water also the like more premium ones are like 95% water but they're basically water and then some of them obviously as you said have some emulsifiers that's to basically stop them from separating that's the main job of an emulsifier. And to hold the fortification. Exactly, so that it's all homogenized essentially. Yeah, so you can add vitamins and minerals into the drink and everything tastes good. Which you can't really do when you don't have an emulsifier.

And this is again this like age old question, right? Or we keep talking about with UPFs and what's a good UPF and a bad UPF essentially, which is, again, it's just so dependent on your diet. You know, we just had a question about a fussy eater. Maybe you have a fussy eater with a dairy allergy, in which case, I think you're going to be much better to be using a fortified plant milk. So young children, I always use fortified options, you know, under the age of like five, depending how well they eat, because then at least I know they're getting a little boost of iron and calcium

and I don't know how their day at school is going to go. Yeah, exactly. Whereas if you're an adult who has a really, really rich and varied diet, you're in control of what you eat. I would personally have a plant milk without an amylopir in because emulsifiers aren't great for our gut health, not every now and again, but like in excess. But you know you get your vitamins and minerals elsewhere. Exactly. So I don't need it.

No. So I think it's really, it's a very individual thing. But you are right, a lot of plant milks and the main supermarket ones have got a lot of emulsifiers gums and stabilizers. And the words can look quite overwhelming. You know, calcium carbonate or tric calcium phosphate, you know, vitamin B12 can definitely be called, you know, cyancopalamin or methyl cobalamin. And it sounds daunting, right. but actually it is really important if you normally rely on your breakfast cereal and your milk to provide a lot of vitamins and minerals that you do what for fortification.

But like Ella said, I personally don't either because I know I eat quite a balanced full diet. Me too. And I would just be using it like as a add-on for porridge or whatever it is. And so I just, I'm not looking for my fortification in that. I think it hit the headlines again because of what's going on with Oatley. I don't know if you guys saw, but Oatley have basically been in quite a protracted as far as I understand. court battle over whether or not they can use the word milk, as in like your conventional M-I-L-K, and it has just been ruled that they cannot use the word milk.

I find it. I don't know if we were going to discuss this. Yeah, what do you think? I think it's ridiculous because, you know, okay, milk comes from a cow. It also comes from a human. It can come from a goat. It can come from so many different animals. Probably come from a llama.

Yeah. So why can't we milk an almond? That was always the joke, wasn't it? Can't milk an almond? I know. And do you know what? I just don't see why the dairy industry is allowed to own the term milk when actually I can love in produce my own milk. Do you what I mean? Like why is it just cow in that industry? I actually don't think it's fair. No, I agree with you. That's a very emotion charge response rather than a thoughtful one. I totally agree with you. I think also it's so obviously different. One is an oat milk. It comes from an oat. One is cows milk. They're just really different products. 60% of the world are lactose intolerant.

That's over half. Yeah, look, and I think that's, to me, that's one of the core things, is it's one thing if it's a dietary choice. And it's another thing where it's not in any shape or form a choice. And I think there's something kind of ostracizing around it, which I'm not a huge fan of. I know that a choice is nuanced and complex too, but I think, you know, if you've got a child with a bad dairy allergy, there's something kind of a bit brutal about the ostracizing of the word milk. I'm not a huge fan. And I think also whilst, you know, I'm definitely not here to tell everyone what to do, obviously from an environmental perspective, we need to have more plants in our life.

Whatever continuum you sit on on that, that's your prerogative in my opinion. But we all need a plant-rich diet, basically. And we need lots, lots and lots and lots more plants. So I'm not sure it helps to like, again, ostracize this and make it feel weird and other. It's like we're backtracking. like remember we said last year that even at Stockholm, the Eat Lancet report, the planetary plate, what we're doing for the environment isn't being taken or picked up by the press. I feel like we're going backwards a little bit on eating for the planet and supporting the planet.

And what we know concretely with so much evidence is that animal produce contributes massively to the greenhouse gas load. You just can't deny that when you look at it. Toes, we just need more of a plan forward options. And so I just think that we want to make plant forward options as accessible. and delicious and mainstream as possible. And budget friendly. Some of these long-life milks actually, when we even look at the extra bits in them are affordable.

And I, well, I'm not allowed to call it milk, am I anymore? So, you know, maybe there you go. Maybe I'm going to get in trouble. But then other brands have like trademarked, you know, M-Y-L-K. So it's like you can't even say it in different ways. So it's all a complete mind-filled. But my sense is that to gently move the way that we collectively eat for the sake of our collective health and the health of the planet,

we need many, many, many more plants. So to need more plants that's make them as fun, delicious, exciting, accessible, mainstream as possible. And I think this is just a shame because I think it's a step back. And I actually don't particularly like, sorry, Oli's like post-milk generation premise. I think it's a little bit, I know it's meant to be controversial to an extent. But I don't think it should be controversial. It should just be like, cool, this is your choice today. And it should be an easy.

This is an option for everyone. I just want everyone to have nice food and not feel left out. It's very thought-provoking. Rebecca has said, I love the scoop. Thank you. That's so cool. I love the scoop. Rebecca has a quick query on omega-7. I'd never heard of omega-7 before until recently. I heard that it can support dry eyes, which I really suffer from, press eye twitches.

I believe it's menopause-related. Does omega-7 help? Can you recommend the best source of Mega-7? It's a minefield choosing supplements. I'd rather include it in my diet. Okay. So no is sadly my answer. with supplementing this type of thing.

No, don't supplement an omega-7. Yeah, no, don't do it. So I'm saying yes, I know in the same sentence, not making it helpful. Everyone do not go out and buy. What is an omega-7? So it's a type of mono-unsaturated fatty acid, most commonly called parmitalic acid,

and it's found in small amounts of foods like nuts, you know, macadamia nuts particularly. It's not classified as an essential fat. So that means that, you know, we don't need to really be supplementing it because we make it ourselves every day. The reason it's not spoken about is that we produce this within our body. Whereas omega-3, which is really, really important for our brain health.

It's essential. It's essential, which means we don't make it. So we need to consume it. I would be, for what you've described, I would focus a lot more with your symptoms on omega-3, on your fatty fish, your walnuts, your flaxseed, or an algae-based supplement with DHA, because that's the type of thing that's going to be really beneficial to your overall health.

And honestly, when I think about the amount of supplements that I see out there, it makes me really sad. I think it preys on us. You know, you've probably searched on the internet. What can I do for these symptoms? And that's come up. But yeah, we make it ourselves. So I really wouldn't worry at all. Yeah.

And I think my understanding is there's pretty limited evidence on all of this. It's just not strong enough for a full-blown recommendation. No, 100%. So all in all, don't worry about omega-7. Just keep thinking of that omega-3. because I would say most of us are not hitting our goals. We've discussed this before, Ella and I, that, you know, I technically think I need to start supplementing it again.

I'm still on the vitamin D, but we need to be aware of it. It plays a role in our heart health as well as our brain health and will help with menopausal symptoms too. Love that. Okay, our next question comes from Elsa. And Elsa says, I have a question about dried fruit. Is it actually as good for you as fresh fruit? For example, dried apple versus whole apple or dried mango and raisins.

I'm assuming they're just dried fruit with no added sugars or extras. Yeah. I actually think when we talk about dried fruit, it's really important to this caveat that it is concentrated, you know, sugar. That's why it tastes so sweet. Delicious. It's so delicious. It's full of natural sugars. It's not inherently bad, but how much you have is really key for your gut health and also, you know, obviously your teeth and all sorts of things and your sugar response.

So anyone with IBS, I would avoid them just to say if you're having a flower up or a very stressful day. I used to personally find dried fruit a massive trigger before singing, I remember, and I didn't really understand because I had no nutritional knowledge back then what I was doing, but I always loved dried apricots and like yogurt-coated fruits, and it's like pick-a-mix stands. It used to be one at South Ken, huge like pick-a-mix scan on the underground. But dried fruit can be really high in what we call Fobmaps, guys, which triggers gas or discomfort.

Which is why if you have IBS, it can be a bit triggering. It is not good, but can contain calcium like dried figs, amazing source of calcium, nutrients, fiber. mean dates are my favorite thing in the world. I love dates. So good and so rich in fiber and nutrition. But I think also all things are relative, aren't they? In terms of obviously if you've got bad IBS and you're having a flare up, that's one camp. But generally obviously, for the most of us, some of them do have a bit of added extra sugar. Some of them have got something, especially in things like trade apricots, some preservatives in like sulfur dioxide, which is what turns them from if you don't have it in,

it's that dark brown colour. I prefer those. They have that brand. What is it? Crazy Jackson used to see. I way prefer them. Soft like gooey. Yeah, they're delicious but they don't look quite as attractive because I'm not that like.

But then they go really hard with the orange sulfur dioxide. I totally agree. And the soft dioxide doesn't agree with my tummy particularly well. But I mean, I love something like dried mango. Oh, dry. It's delicious. In my pregnancy, my first one, I was addicted to pre-dried mango. And also, again, exactly.

Like all things are relative right. and I'm not here saying never have sweets ever again. I eat sweets sometimes. We all eat sweets sometimes. But we don't want to eat loads of foods like that, right? They're not, they are not food. And they're not great for us. I don't think we should demonise dried fruit.

And so what I mean is like if you have a sweet craving, then like what a great snack is a pack of dried mango. It's still better. But I just think we have to be honest. It's so full of sugar. And also you can buy those. really yummy sweeten papaya chunks are definitely not really papaya anymore, but just candy, right, coated sugar in the, you know, the tropical fruit tribe mixed bags you can get

with coconut flakes and raisins and all of it in there, a few token nuts, but be selective with what you opt for. I do love the dried mango. I'm completely with you. I would just say, just be very conscious of the quantity of dried fruit, but otherwise I think it's such a good option compared to getting a like Mars bar. Delicious. Dates. Take the pip out, put some nut butter in the middle, melt a bit of dark chocolate, dunk the dates in the dark chocolate, sprinkle of sea salt, put them in the fridge.

So good. Such a good snack. Like the best thing. When my husband came back from him, he was working away in Dubai, he bought me a massive box from the airport, but you know, like stuffed dates, you know, like you've got all the colours, like pistachios and. Oh my God, yeah. But the only letdown in it was the bloominapricot was the hard type I don't like.

Right. Pull the apricot. I can't have everything in library. Okay, our last question today comes from Joanna, who said, something I've resisted so far is collagen. I've always been nervous. It's a marketing gimmick, especially given some of the celebrity endorsements. But I'm in my early 40s and wondering if collagen could now be beneficial.

I did start taking creatine, as there seems to be more support for that. For brain function, rather than just muscle, I also take omega-3. Really, I'm more concerned about losing my brain function as I age rather than my skin elasticity, but it's always good to feel nice too. Yeah. I love that approach, can I just say to Anna, which is like, let's look after our health, but it is nice to feel good. I think most of us feel that way. Yeah, I mean, you want to look your best. Like, I'm sat here now with Ella and a full face of makeup I never normally have on because I've got media work to do this afternoon. She looks fantastic. Thanks, I'm going to fill a nap and up all night with the kids. You know, it's like the facade. It's right. I just want to say, you are right. Creatine and Omega-free have so much more evidence than collagen. It's going to just be far more.

effective and we actually had a systematic review of all the papers on collagen so far conducted by Dr David Robert Grimes and Angelo Marto last year and they concluded having looked at everything that collagen had no outcome that was positive or beneficial and it's just currently still a complete marketing hype which is so fascinating isn't it? They analyzed all of them and there was no significant change or or report. They've actually found the data had been reported in a far from transparent way. And it's expensive as well. Oh my God, it's so expensive. And remember what it is, everyone. I just want to remind you it's ground down fish scales or collagen ligaments from a cow. And essentially,

you're probably better off just eating a quality source of protein in your diet rather than taking this ultra-process powder within your diet. Yeah. I don't want to just be a basher. Like, You're not a basher. It feels like with collagen. I feel like this is what happened to me with intermittent fasting. I'm the one that's saying against the grain, no. And everyone around me, I'm seeing everyone buying into these brands and having them on the podcast and sponsored by them. And they can do that.

They're not nutritionists. You know, they can take the money. But it's like with the green powders, that AG1, like proven not to have any effect. Just don't have any effect. I know. But I so get it because it's like how nice to take a capsule in the morning or something. But you're just taking protein. Like just eat a bit more protein.

But don't forget about your fibre. Don't forget about your fibre. Yeah, please, no, let's not go on that route. But I think that's such a good question because we all want to feel good. I don't want anyone to feel bad for wanting to feel like their best version of themselves. I would be the first person to be down in sachets of that if it had any effect, especially on my brain. I mean, God. Yeah, don't take any of it.

I've had to do several retakes of a few words today because I'm so tired. A couple of walnuts will do a lot for your brain, though. Yes, let's go back on our walnut love this year. Let's make 2026 the year of cabbage and walnuts. Love it. Who would have thought? Maybe not together, though. We'll come up with a way of doing them together.

Don't they do those in salads? Yeah. No, that's a ward off. You could do it in like a slaw, couldn't you? Yes, you could. I don't like slaw. I'm not mayonnaise fan. I mean, I often make it without mayonnaise because I don't like mayonnaise either.

But yeah, my mom, Camilla loves the slaw. But you know what? I said it like mayonnaise, but I love, is it Ioli. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. Oh, it's so good. Oh, it's the garlic. So good.

I just love garlic. Yeah, me too. We're about to buy barbecue, which I'm really excited about. I know. I went for a playday at Friends yesterday and they have an actual pizza oven in their garden. So they had fresh dough and we were all there with the kids making fresh pizzas and it cooks in like minutes in the pizza oven and you put it in done. And we just got really creative with the time. It was lovely. I don't know why I just bought that up. But thank you to my friends Laura for and Michael. Oh my God. That's goals right there. Okay guys. I think this is a moment to wrap it out. Any questions. Send us an email. Hello at Wellness hyphen scoop.com. We love hearing from you. We're so grateful for you. single week. Have a fantastic day. Have a great week. Bye.