Planet Health

Sitting is the new smoking. In this episode, Chris explores the dangers of sedentarism (living a sedentary lifestyle) and its consequences. As the name suggests, sedentarism is simply living a sedentary lifestyle. In other words, one based around low levels of movement and activity.

He also takes a look why formal exercise such as running, cycling and swimming isn't enough - and what we can do about it. If you listen to this podcast often, you may have already guessed what it is...!

Happy Thanksgiving! In this episode, Chris discusses the American and Canadian traditions of Thanksgiving, which leads into an exploration of the health benefits of gratitude – one of the most underrated things in the world of mental health. He shares some tips on how to practice gratitude each day in a simple way.

Buongiorno! In this episode, the healthy traditions of Italy are once again the focus, as Chris explores ‘la cucina povera’ – one of the healthiest ways to eat.

He looks at the foods and dishes of this rustic culinary tradition, while giving his own personal insight, having grown up with an Italian father. Of course, the episode features his favourite royalty-free Italian music!

BOO! 👻 It’s the Halloween special episode of the Planet Health podcast! In this episode, Chris explores the topic of being scared and whether or not it’s good for you.

We also welcome culture and ghost journalist Mark Rees back to the podcast – where he offers some insight into the traditions of Halloween – and briefly discuss some of the best calorie-burning horror films!

Heard about the five Blue Zones? These incredible areas of health are exactly what Chris explores in this episode! It’s inspired by the release of a new Netflix series called ‘Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones’ with Dan Buettner.

In this episode, Chris looks at Okinawa (Japan), Sardinia (Italy), Ikaria (Greece), Nicoya Peninsula (Costa Rica), and Loma Linda (USA). He then explores some of the common traits shared by the healthiest places on Earth.

In this brief update, Chris explains his plans for Season 2 and the future of Planet Health podcast!

In my most dramatic episode to date, I offer you all you need to know about losing weight… in just one minute! That’s right, I set myself a ridiculous one-minute target in which to give you all the information about habit-based weight loss. Expect lots of fast talking and epic music. Do I succeed? Tune in to find out!

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In this special 25th episode, Chris answers some of your questions! Topics include how to keep weight off after you have already lost it; the world’s healthiest dish; and fitness and eating disorders (so if you are triggered by this kind of thing, you may want to avoid the episode from minute 8.20!). There are also a few extra questions that discuss the future of Planet Health. Enjoy!

From plantains to supergrains, Nigeria is a country with many culinary delights – and many healthy ingredients. In this episode, Chris chats with respected Nigerian chef and cookbook author Tomi Makanjuola, originally from Lagos, known as The Vegan Nigerian. The pair discuss some of Western Africa’s most famous dishes, how to cook with plantains, as well as some delicious health-boosting ingredients like fonio (acha) and their benefits.

In this episode, Chris tells his own weight loss story – and how it wasn't particularly planned! He didn’t set out to get in shape, but it happened. Learn why he gained weight in the first place (it involved pasta...), how he started losing fat naturally, and what he does now to continue the process. Chris also offers some actionable tips on how to lose weight without being on a diet as well as how to seek out exercise you enjoy.

Winter is almost over and, on March 20, spring will begin! Winter can leave us feeling tired and unhealthy. So, in this episode Chris offers three of his favourite things to do to boost your health and happiness, and improve your wellness this springtime. He also offers a few actionable tips on how to do these things.

Japan is one of healthiest countries on the planet, with so many wholesome habits. Japanese people are some of the slimmest and healthiest people in the world, and that can be attributed to traditions such as hara hachi bu and ichiju-sansai, which are two of the concepts Chris chats about today with his special guest, Kaki Okumura.

Kaki is a top Japanese writer in food, health, travel and culture, and the author of new book Wa – The Art of Balance. Together, Chris and Kaki discuss how to lose weight, how to stay fit, crazy American portion sizes, and a few 'Chris vs. food' experiences!

In this episode, Chris takes a look at the global habit of salting fruits like watermelon, mango and strawberries, which is practiced in countries such as the USA, Mexico, Dominican Republic and the Philippines. After discussing this tradition, he then looks at the negatives of too much sodium and ways to reduce your salt intake for better health.

Guten tag! In this delicious episode, Chris heads to Western Europe to talk about the delicious foods of Germany, including bratwurst sausages, pickles and breads. Chris talks about the negatives of processed meat, the benefits of fermented foods, and whether German food is any good for you.

Read this podcast as an article on the new Planet Health website: https://planethealth.online/2023/04/09/is-german-food-healthy/

Whether you are very busy or stressed out, pressing the pause button on your health and fitness goals can seem like the most sensible option. But in today’s episode, Chris offers an alternative way of thinking about your life and wellbeing, that may help keep you on track when the going gets tough!

It’s time for part two of our episode on silly and strange fad diets from around the world! In this episode, Chris discusses the Baby Food Diet (USA), the Ear Stapling Diet (China), and Japan’s Vision Diet. It’s another fun look at the world of weight loss and the extent that some people will go to as they try to lose fat.

Whatever your age, lifting weights is one of the best things you can do for your body. So, in this episode, Chris chats with Swedish strength coach Tobias Sjösten from Athlegan (based in Stockholm, Sweden). The guys talk about the benefits of resistance training and some tips on how you can get into a weightlifting routine of your own to build muscle, strength and confidence. They also discuss the Swedish tradition of letting babies sleeping outside in freezing temperatures!

In the episode, Chris refers to a previous episode on sleep, which is Episode #5, called ‘Sleep Tips from Around the World!’

Weight loss can be quite funny, as this episode proves! In this episode, Chris takes a look at three strange fad diets from around the world. We look at the Air Diet (France), the Sandwich Diet (Spain), and the popular Morning Banana Diet from Japan. We look at these bizarre diets and how they may or may not work for you (most probably the latter…), and talk some common sense about how to lose fat. Subscribe and stay tuned for part two!

Happy new year – and happy Veganuary! Israel is often called the ‘Vegan Capital of the World’ with more vegans per capita than any other nation. In this episode, Chris chats with Hanita Yudovsky from Tel Aviv, who is a part of Israel’s vegan produce labelling organization, Vegan Friendly. Discussion includes the rise of veganism in Israel and the best Israeli dishes to try when travelling to the global vegan capital, including falafel, hummus, and other dishes famous in the Middle East. Chris then offers the benefits (and potential pitfalls) of a plant based diet and some tips on how to go vegan – from protein to supplements.

"When you feel like quitting, remember why you started"

In this inspiring episode, Chris takes a step away from exploring the world to look at how to set and stick to new year’s resolutions, using three effective tips he gives to his own nutrition clients to set goals. Whether you want to lose weight, build muscle or start a new hobby, these tips will help you to keep your resolutions this year and manifest your goals, no matter what time of the year.

In this Christmas special episode, we take an unusual turn and discuss the healthy cultures of Wales! Chris chats to Swansea-based journalist and Welsh author Mark Rees to try to determine some healthy foods and habits. The guys discuss laverbread, leeks, cawl, and walking in Yr Wyddfa (i.e., Snowdon). Mark also offers insight into the history and folklore of Wales, such as the Mari Lwyd, King Arthur, miners, druids and beard-obsessed giants!

Whether you need some morning recovery, or you are wondering how to avoid a hangover when you’re already drunk, then this is the podcast for you! In this episode, Chris takes us through the international recovery drinks that can help prevent and cure a hangover. These include the Russian hangover drink called kvassI and a very strange cure from Hungary. We also ask if hair of the dog works and a Canadian hair of the dog recipe!

“Ho ho holy crap... this hangover headache hurts!” If you are planning to overindulge this Christmas, then you may be wondering how to cure a hangover fast! In this episode, Chris explores the hangover cure foods that may be able to help ease your pain. We also dive into whether greasy hangover foods are worthwhile! We look at foods from Italy, Japan, Germany, South Korea and more, then unearth what the best course of action is for you to prevent a hangover.

Walking is not exercise but a way of life! It is the best thing you can do to kickstart your health all year round. From burning calories to relieving joint pain, the benefits of walking cannot be overstated! But how do you walk in cold weather? Chris takes a virtual trip to Oslo in Norway to learn about a lovely walking tradition known as sondagstur and then share some winter walking tips to help inspire and motivate you to go walking when it is icy, windy and rainy outside. Brrrr-illiant! ❄️

In this episode, Chris heads to Japan to learn why kitchen design matters if you want to start eating better, losing weight, and improving your relationship with food. You will also get two actions to do today to get you started! (Don't worry - you don't have to paint your kitchen!). 

Want to sleep better at night naturally? In this episode, we head to three countries: Guatemala, Sweden, and South Korea, to discuss some strange sleeping habits and unearth a few sleeping tips that will help you get to sleep faster and stay asleep! Zzzzzz.

“Avoid white shorts!” … Want to walk into the gym and not care what people think? Beginners to fitness may not know what to do in the gym for the first time. Don't worry - in this episode, Chris takes inspiration from the ever-confident Americans and gives us 7 actionable tips on how to develop your own gym confidence. Whether you want to lose weight, feel healthier or build muscle at the gym, this should be the first podcast on your list!

In this episode, Planet Health travels to Stockholm, Sweden! Chris chats with Tobias Sjösten, a respected health and strength coach from vegan fitness community Athlegan, to discuss two Swedish traditions that can lead to better health, wellbeing, and weight loss. This includes the habit of lördagsgodis (i.e., Saturday candy) and Sweden’s love of saunas! What are the benefits of saunas? Tune in to find out.

Ever wonder how the French stay so slim? It's a combination of many different eating habits, although one jumps out in particular - the habit of eating slowly. In this podcast, Chris visits Paris in France to learn why the French eat slowly, the benefits of slow eating, and how to make it a habit in your own life. You don't need an eat slower app - you need this episode!

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In this short first episode, Chris runs us through who he is, why he is searching the globe for health tips, and what he aims to achieve with Planet Health.

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