Archive
Writing & audio
Longer-form essays are published on Substack. The clinical blogs and podcast series below are patient-facing work published and hosted by Newcastle North PCN; each link opens on their site. Open a section to read more.
When nutrients meets systems
Nutrition science often has to simplify.
Read on Substack- 11 August 2026 · EssayWhy capacity mattersI have been thinking a lot about capacity recently, partly because I can see so clearly how much my own has changed at different points in my life.
- 19 July 2026 · EssayWhy do our bodies wear out?It was one of those questions that seems simple until you actually try to answer it.
- 8 July 2026 · EssayWe don’t just look for panaceas, we’ve built a healthcare system that rewards them.I’ve been thinking about why certain health posts spread so quickly online.
- 7 July 2026 · EssayIf culture is driving human evolution, what is driving culture?A fascinating paper has been circulating recently arguing that humanity is undergoing a new evolutionary transition.
- 7 July 2026 · EssayIf MBTI isn’t scientific, why does it feel so accurate?Whenever psychologists discuss personality, someone eventually says it.
- 6 July 2026 · Prevention · Newcastle North PCNAlcohol Awareness Week (6–12 July)Alcohol, health and the everyday habits around it.
- 1 June 2026 · Primary care · Newcastle North PCNDietitians Week: How Your PCN Dietitian Can Support YouWhat a first-contact dietitian in primary care actually does.
- 12 May 2026 · Understanding your body · Newcastle North PCNLooking After Your Health Starts with Understanding Your BodyWhy understanding what your body is doing comes before changing it.
- 20 March 2026 · Gut health · Newcastle North PCNIBS Awareness Month: Understanding Your GutWhat IBS is, what it isn't, and where support actually helps.
- 20 March 2026 · Appetite · Newcastle North PCNIt's Not Just Willpower: Why Easter Chocolate Is Hard to ResistThe biology and environment behind hard-to-resist foods.
- 6 March 2026 · Behaviour & context · Newcastle North PCNCreating the Conditions for Better Health ChoicesHealth choices are shaped by context, not willpower alone.
- 3 February 2026 · Long-term conditions · Newcastle North PCNHeart Health for Heart MonthPractical, evidence-informed eating for cardiovascular health.
- 5 January 2026 · Habits · Newcastle North PCNA Gentle Reset: Healthy Eating Habits for the New Year (Without the Pressure)Starting the year without resolutions that collapse by February.
- 16 December 2025 · Gut health · Newcastle North PCNEating Over Christmas: A Calm, Gentle Guide for Your GutGetting through the festive season without gut-related dread.
- 28 November 2025 · Nutrition basics · Newcastle North PCNHealthy food and vitaminsWhere vitamins matter, and where food does the work.
Nutrition
Supplements: What's Actually Worth It?
Supplements can fill a gap, but they don't replace food or upgrade a healthy body.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: Are They Really the Problem?
Carbs aren't the enemy — the type, amount and overall pattern matter more.
Nutrition
Protein: Do You Really Need More?
Protein matters, but most people need consistency and enough — not as much as possible.
Nutrition
Fats: Do They Make You Fat?
Fat itself isn't the problem — total intake over time and food quality matter more.
Weight Management
Eating Late: Does It Cause Weight Gain?
Weight gain comes from total intake over time, not one specific time of day.
Nutrition
Ultra-Processed Foods: Should You Avoid Them?
It's not as simple as good or bad — patterns, frequency and context matter.
Nutrition
Sugar: Is It Really Addictive?
Sugar cravings are real, but they're shaped by biology, habits, stress and environment too.
Weight Management
Portion Sizes: Are You Eating More Than You Think?
Small increases add up over time, especially when portion sizes quietly creep up.
Nutrition
Breakfast: Do You Actually Need It?
There's no one-size-fits-all rule — what matters is the pattern that supports you.
Nutrition
Cooking Oils: What Should You Actually Be Using?
You don't need the perfect oil — a balanced, practical approach matters more.
- Parents & infants · Newcastle North PCNCalm Your BabyInfant feeding, reflux, colic and reassurance for parents.
- Gut health · Newcastle North PCNUnderstanding Your GutDigestive symptoms, IBS and the gut–brain connection.
- Weight & behaviour · Newcastle North PCNBeyond the ScalesWeight, appetite, health, habits and behaviour without shame.
Also on this site: downloadable blog editions.