Crunch Bites

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

The world of crackers has grown rapidly in recent years. With so many options available how do you know which cracker to choose that will tick all your boxes? Join Mikala and Nicole as they discuss cracking the code and share their findings from examining over 180 different crackers available in supermarkets across Australia.  Topics covered in this episode:-         What to look for in a healthy cracker-         The difference between moulded crackers and minimally processed crackers-         Tasty toppings to pair with crackers Episode links:-         Cracker review article-         Transcript