The Doctor's Kitchen Podcast

Next time you look at the calories on the back of a packet or the nutritional breakdown of a recipe, remember that number doesn't tell you the whole story. It says nothing about the nutrients, the quality of the food, how satisfying it'll be, or even how many calories your body will actually absorb.To unpack it all, I'm joined by Professor Giles Yeo, Professor of Molecular Neuroendocrinology at the University of Cambridge, MBE, and author of the brilliant book Why Calories Don't Count.We cover:5 reasons calorie counting matters less than we thinkWhy "low-cal" doesn't always mean healthyWhy we don't absorb every calorie we eatWhy the calories in nuts, avocados and seeds aren't the same as the calories in a ultra-processed foods, even when the numbers matchIs fruit juice really healthy?3 strategies to maintain a healthy weightI hope this changes the way you think about calories and gives you a few practical ideas you can start using straight away. If you know someone who's always checking the calorie label before anything else, send this episode their way.As always, thanks for listening!Dr Rupy xMore from Professor Giles Yeohttps://www.wolfson.cam.ac.uk/people/giles-yeohttps://x.com/GilesYeohttps://www.instagram.com/gilesyeo/?hl=enMore from us🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

How do you become happier?Professor Arthur Brooks describes 3 “macronutrients” for a happier life: enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning. Rather than chasing positive feelings, the idea is to build more of each into our everyday lives.We get into some really practical ways to do this, including:• Why being bored is good for your brain• The three times to put your phone away each day• How to make your downtime more meaningful• How to find more meaning through love, awe and spirituality 👤 About today’s guest: Arthur Brooks is a professor at Vanderbilt University, a senior fellow at Harvard Business School, a New York Times bestselling author and a leading researcher on happiness and meaning.His latest book, The Meaning of Your Life, is out now. From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of From Strength to Strength, it's an account of how the modern world sets us up to fail at finding meaning, and a plan for finding what you seek.More from us🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

I’ve been talking a lot about eating healthy high protein. And sometimes it feels like you have to choose a side. High protein or plant-focused.But both play really important roles for energy, appetite, muscle health, gut health and healthy ageing. My guest today actually describes them as a dynamic duo 🤝 They work best together. You want both on your plate, not one crowding out the other.Dominique Ludwig is an accredited nutritionist and registered Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with more than 30 years of clinical experience helping people improve their health, energy and relationship with food.She’s also the author of the brilliant new book ‘No-Nonsense Nutrition’, which is filled with practical, realistic advice and beautiful recipes that make healthy eating feel really achievable.We cover:Protein recommendations for every mealWhy protein becomes more important after 30The benefits of prioritising protein during menopauseTop protein foods and easy 10g protein top-upsHow to upgrade breakfasts, salads and pastaWhole carbs vs refined carbsHow to lose weight without counting caloriesBuilding balanced plates that keep you full🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

What if I told you that two people could eat the exact same meal, with the exact same calories, and have completely different hormonal responses because of what they believed about what they were eating?These aren't fringe findings.A growing body of evidence suggests that the way we think about our health can meaningfully impact our biology.In this episode, I'm joined by nutritionist and Sunday Times bestselling author Sarah Ann Macklin to unpack four ways our thoughts can either help or hinder our health.We explore:• How your beliefs about food can influence hormones, appetite and metabolism• Why the way you think about exercise may affect the health benefits you experience• Whether your genes are really your destiny• Why self-compassion could be one of the most powerful tools for lasting healthThis is a fascinating conversation about the hidden connection between mind and body, and how changing the way we think could help shape our health for the better.Hope you enjoy this one and find something practical you can apply to your own life.Dr RupyLearn more about Sarah's workSarah's latest book 'Healthy Shouldn't Be This Hard' is out nowInstagram: @sarahannmacklinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@livewellbewellsarahSubstack:https://sarahmacklin.substack.com/ Website: www.sarahannmacklin.comJoin the Doctor’s Kitchen🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

I’ve been talking a lot about healthy protein and sometimes it can feel like you have to pick a side. Protein or fibre. But for long-term health, you want both on your plate.The problem is, 96% of people still don’t hit the recommended daily fibre target. Even if you eat vegetables at every meal. A salad is brilliant for micronutrients and polyphenols, but alone it’s usually not enough to reach the 30g of fibre a day linked to better gut health, satiety, cholesterol and a lower risk of disease.But for a lot of people, trying to eat more fibre comes with one big problem… bloating.So today I’m joined by Dr Emily Leeming, former chef, registered dietitian, scientist at King’s College London and author of the new book ‘Fibre Power’, to break down how to increase fibre in a way that works for your gut.She brings a rare combination of ongoing research, clinical practice and love for food.We cover:Key signs you may not be eating enough fibreHow to eat 30g of fibre a day without bloatingHigh-fibre foods people often overlookThe difference between high and low FODMAP foodsWhether fibre supplements are worth itOne fibre habit to start todayIt’s a really practical episode and I hope it leaves you inspired to make a few tweaks to gently increase your fibre intake.

What’s the healthiest way to lose weight and keep it off without counting calories?On paper, it sounds simple. But in a modern world of ultra-processed foods, clever marketing and disrupted hunger signals, it’s rarely that straightforward.And that’s why I think this is a conversation for everyone. Because learning to regulate your appetite is a health skill for all of us. It shapes your energy, your metabolic health, your gut and how you feel from one day to the next.👉 I’m joined by Dr Federica Amati, PhD, a Medical Scientist and Registered Public Health Nutritionist with over 15 years of experience in research and clinical practice. We take a food-first approach to fat loss by focusing on key foods that improve satiety. And we get into a really important and often overlooked topic. What you need to know before, during and after taking GLP-1 weight loss medications.We talk about…Why ultra-processed foods drive overeatingThe benefits of quality fibre, protein and healthy fats Whether skipping breakfast is helpful and how small changes in meal timing can improve your metabolic healthHow to make weight loss sustainableHow to approach GLP-1 medications safely and effectivelyThe Appetite Reset: How to Eat, Drink and Thrive Before, During and After GLP-1s by Dr Federica Amati. Release 25/06/26. (Penguin Michael Joseph, £25)And if you’re listening and wondering how to actually put this into practice day to day, that’s really the intention behind The Doctor’s Kitchen app. Every recipe is developed and tested in your London kitchen, with the pink fridge, to be high fibre, quality protein… and delicious!More from us🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

SHOW NOTESThis episode is for anyone dealing with constipation, bloating, reflux, abdominal pain or IBS.And really, anyone who wants to protect their gut, reduce stress and feel better overall.When we think about gut health, we usually start with food… what to eat, what to cut out, which diet or supplement to try next.And while nutrition is foundational, there’s another side we don’t talk about enough: the constant conversation between your brain and your gut 🧠💬My guest today is Dr Rabia Topan, an NHS consultant gastroenterologist and PhD researcher specialising in disorders of gut–brain interaction like IBS. She works at The Functional Gut Clinic with people who’ve often had “normal” tests for years, but very real symptoms.She’s also trained in cognitive behavioural hypnotherapy and yoga, bringing a practical, mind–body approach to gut health.We cover 👇• Breathwork techniques and why slowing your breath to around 6 breaths per minute can shift you into “rest and digest”• What the gut–brain axis actually is• Simple daily movements and pelvic floor exercises to support gut function• Practical toilet training tips for children• How cognitive reframing and gut-directed hypnotherapy can ease bloating, constipation and IBS• One habit you can start today to calm your nervous system and support your gut every morning🔗 Key links• Dr Rabia’s website with resources, yoga videos and more• Gut–brain hypnotherapy audio you can try at homeImportant disclaimer: The patient mentioned in this episode gave full consent for their story to be shared.Hope you enjoy!Dr Rupy x

What we eat, and how we eat, can have a profound effect on our brain health, even influencing depression, anxiety and ADHD.Today, we’re unpacking simple food strategies that can support your nervous system, with a big focus on the gut-brain connection.And I have the pleasure of chatting with Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas to explore this topic.He’s a clinical neuroscientist, nutrition researcher and author of the brilliant new book ‘ADHD Body and Mind: A Compassionate Guide to Rewilding Your Nervous System’.He also has a fantastic way of bringing together brain health and delicious, practical food.We cover 👇• Why combining foods can unlock more benefits than eating them on their own• The shift from “more fibre” to “more variety of fibre”• Everyday foods your gut microbes thrive on that most of us under-eat• Why how you eat matters just as much as what’s on your plate• The surprising impact even mild dehydration can have on focus and mood• Easy ways to upgrade meals you’re already eating, even on low-energy daysThis conversation will leave you inspired to cook your way to a healthier brain. And stick around for Miguel’s slightly unusual approach to using a slow cooker to maximise the nutritional value of his food.​​Dr Miguel’s socialshttps://drmiguelmateas.com/https://thecreativescientist.substack.com/http://instagram.com/drmiguelmateasHope you enjoy!Dr Rupy x🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram

I’m seeing fibre maxxing everywhere right now. And I think it might be one of the few trends actually worth paying attention to.But as always, it’s not that simple.This episode is a deep dive into fibre with Dr Karan Rajan, medical doctor and one of the most recognisable health voices online.He’s built an audience of over 10 million people across social media, breaking down complex health topics with a mix of evidence, clarity and generous servings of humour.We cover:The benefits of increasing fibre for your skin, brain, inflammation, hormones and moreIs 30g a day enough?Different types of fibres and why diversity is so importantHow much fibre is too much?How to increase fibre without bloatingBest high-fibre foodsHis journey creating a fibre supplement and the controversy around itQuick disclaimer: I ask Dr Karan about his journey creating his own fibre supplement towards the end of the podcast, which is a really interesting process. I’m not affiliated in any way and, as you’ll hear, I’m still very much food first, with good quality, third party tested supplements as a top up when needed.More from us🎬 Watch the podcast on YouTube here📱 Download The Doctor’s Kitchen app🌐 View full show notes, including guest details, on our website☕️ Try Exhale Coffee here🥗 Join the newsletter and receive a 7 day meal plan📷 Follow on Instagram