Emily Leeming's Blog, page 3

Why am I hungry all the time? 🧠

Ever found yourself standing in front of the fridge, unsure whether you're actually hungry, or simply...bored?

We often talk about hunger as a yes-or-no thing. But it’s not that simple.

There are actually different types of hunger.

Knowing which one you're feeling, what's driving it, and how to respond can make healthy eating a whole lot easier.

What we’ll cover today:

The four types of hunger and how to spot them

The hunger-fullness scale: your guide to when to start and stop eating

PDF download: Tes...

The secret to eating for better brain health 🧠

I have something special for you today, a guest post by .

Dr Annie’s substack Brain Health Kitchen was one of the very first I signed up to, and I’m really pleased to have her here sharing her brilliant insights on eating for better brain health.

I highly recommend subscribing, she’s kindly offering Second Brain readers a 25% discount.

25% off Brain Health Kitchen

And if you leave a comment below, you’ll be in the draw to win a copy of her book, The Brain Health Kitchen (open to UK and US readers).

(...

Dishing the dirt on the gut microbiome 🧠

When was the last time you got your hands dirty - literally?

Soil, the often-overlooked ground beneath our feet, might just hold some important clues for our health and well-being.

There's plenty to dig into (pun absolutely intended), from questioning our ultra-clean lifestyles to exploring why gardening or even a simple walk outdoors could be the key to a healthier gut and a happier mind.

What we’ll cover today:

The clean hypothesis: Is being too clean hurting our health?

What is the soil microbiome...

The short-cut to hitting your fibre target 🧠

Ok, let me ask you a question.

Can you quickly list three high-protein foods?

Now what about foods that are packed with fibre?

My bet is, that requires a little more thinking. Or you may even draw a blank.

That’s what I want to change.

Why?

Knowing which foods are high in fibre and making them a regular part of your meals is the easiest way to hit your fibre goals (with minimal stress).

Right now, 93% of us aren’t getting enough fibre - on average, eating 40% less than the recommended 30g of fibr...

Is fibre the missing link to true well-being? 🧠

90% of us aren’t getting enough of this key nutrient.

And no, I’m not talking about protein.

I’m talking about fibre.

A couple of months ago, I gave a TEDx talk all about the importance of fibre, but I realised I hadn’t shared it properly here.

There’s a reason I call fibre my favourite F-word.

It’s one simple thing we can all be eating more of, not just for our gut health but for our heart, metabolism, energy, cancer risk, and plenty more.

Watch my TEDx talk below to understand more about why fibre i...

Did you floss today? 🧠Your mouth talks to your brain

If you’ve been slacking on flossing or relying on mouthwash to do the work for you, consider this a little nudge.

Brushing your teeth keeps your mouth clean - but clean from what?

It helps control certain bacteria, the ones that cause tooth decay and gum disease. But your mouth is home to far more than just these troublemakers.

It’s a whole ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, and fungi, known as your oral microbiome​.

And keeping your teeth and gums healthy may not only be about fresh breath.

New emergin...

Move your body 🧠 heal your mind

I’ve got a special something extra for you this week - a guest post from Dr. Jake, a psychiatry physician and mental health educator.

He writes where he shares science-backed strategies for mental well-being with over 17,000 subscribers.

In this post, he’s covering one of the most underrated (and free!) ways to support your mental health - exercise.

I know you’ll find it useful, and do go check out his newsletter too.

Chat soon,

Emily xx

Hi everyone,

Thank you for letting me take over this week!...

Microplastics are in your brain 🧠 now what?

This is a reader-suggested topic, up-voted in the chat. If you’d like to suggest a topic or vote, you can find the link here.

Plastic waste doesn’t just end up in the landfill, or get recycled.

Tiny bits of it, called microplastics, are ending up in our bodies.

Some headlines claim we’re eating about 5 grams of microplastics every week, the weight of a credit card.

While new research shows this stat might be way off, even if we’re eating less, the fact that we’re eating any is concerning.

So what ...

Need a mental boost? 🧠 5 science-backed foods

Yes, coffee may be the original cognitive enhancer, but there are other, perhaps surprising, foods that can give your brain a boost too.

Your brain uses about 20% of your resting energy - the energy your body needs to keep basic functions running - even when you're not doing anything.

But food doesn’t just fuel your brain, it also provides a range of components to keep it functioning well.

Antioxidants help protect against damage, healthy fats keep cell communication running smoothly, and fibre su...

Could your gut microbes ease menopause symptoms? 🧠

Menopause can affect everyone differently, but around 85% of women experience at least one uncomfortable symptom.

Alongside the more talked-about changes, many people notice shifts in digestion - like bloating and changes in bowel habits - as they navigate this phase.

So why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

The link between your hormones and gut is stronger than you might think.

Here’s what we’ll cover today:

How menopause can trigger gut symptoms

The estrobolome – what is it, and what ...