The Healthy Food Guide

Taking a closer look at sugar, fat, diabetes, brain food, work-life balance and more - plus lots of great recipes.

Claire and Sam cook up healthy recipes every week. Source: The Healthy Food Guide

Here's what's coming up on The Healthy Food Guide. 

Ep 1 Sugar

Aired 7.30pm Monday 2 July

Is it smart to go sugar free? Carly Flynn get the answers from the experts and food producers. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull starts the challenge of converting the Parkinson family to better health in just five months, but are they really ready for it? Top executive chef Sam Campbell creates a healthy Coconut chicken peanut curry and a super adaptable dessert/breakfast - Coffee, banana and almond milk chia pots.

Source: The Healthy Food Guide

Ep 2 Diet

Aired 8pm Monday 2 July

Dieting advice seems to be constantly reinventing so this week Carly Flynn looks at which diet is the healthiest. Chef Sam Campbell makes sushi balls and beetroot and quinoa salad, and Healthy Food Guide nutritionist Claire Turnbull tackles the Parkinson family’s diet to try and persuade them to eat less processed food.

Source: The Healthy Food Guide

Ep 3 - Brain food

Aired 7.30pm Monday 9 July

All you need to know about boosting your brain with food. Carly Flynn gets the latest from the experts. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull gives the Parkinson family some exercise shock therapy and investigates the puzzle of Jonny’s diabetes diagnosis. Executive chef Sam Campbell joins Claire in the kitchen to make Mexican black bean tortillas with spicy avocado and chicken, tomato and olive casserole.

Ep 4 Gut Health

Aired 8pm Monday 9 Jul

This week on episode 4, we find out why our gut is becoming known as our second brain. Carly Flynn’s finding out the latest from the experts about this sensitive nerve network. Carly also takes to the fields to ask what foods optimise our gut health. Nicki Parkinson’s weight loss journey begins with the help of nutritionist Claire Turnbull. Then Claire joins executive chef Sam Campbell as he creates easy, tasty and healthy meals you’ll want to try: Lasagne egg cups and tangy chicken drumsticks.

Throughout the series, nutritionist Claire Turnbull helps the Parkinson family improve their health. Source: The Healthy Food Guide

Ep 5 Hormones

Aired 7.30pm Monday 16 July

Are your hormones making you fat? Carly Flynn investigates the role of hunger and sex hormones in how and where we gain weight. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull begins tackling teenage Tamati’s health issues. Executive Chef Sam Campbell spices up spaghetti with a recipe for vegetable chilli with black bean spaghetti and makes a health busting smoothie with Claire. 

Ep 6 Fat

Aired 8pm Monday 16 Jul

Is full fat really back? Carly Flynn finds out is it about quantity, quality, or both, and what is fat doing for our bodies? Nutritionist Claire Turnbull gets the Parkinson kids on board with healthy eating by revamping their lunches. Executive chef Sam Campbell is with Claire in the kitchen for chickpea and egg burgers and a fruity snack you won’t want to miss: Fruity avocado bliss balls

Source: The Healthy Food Guide

Ep 7 Gluten

Airs 7.30pm Monday 23 July 

Is going gluten free really necessary? Is it healthy? And should we all be doing it? Carly Flynn asks the experts and talks to a restaurant about the issues of cross contamination. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull tracks the highs and lows of the Parkinson family and their goals for better health. Executive Chef Sam Campbell is cooking tasty dishes with Claire, including sushi and avocado salad and a lemon chicken and pumpkin bake.

Ep 8 Fatigue

Airs 8pm Monday 23 Jul

On this week's episode - how can you fight fatigue? How does it impact our health and our weight? And can food help fix it? Carly Flynn talks to the experts and academics studying our relationship with caffeine. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull tracks progress with the Parkinson family on their journey to better health. Executive Chef Sam Campbell makes a roast with a difference and a carrot cake smoothie bowl with Claire.

Ep 9 Diabetes

Airs 7.30pm Monday 30 July

This week on episode 9, New Zealand’s fastest growing health crisis is Carly Flynn’s focus. What is the link between type 2 diabetes and food? Can it be reversed? Carly visits a group battling to make a difference. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull checks in, as the Parkinson family near the end of their journey to better health. Executive Chef Sam Campbell and Claire reveal healthy, tasty recipes that are easy to make at home., including zucchini and tomato frittatas.

Source: Food Network / The Healthy Food Guide

Ep 10 Work Life Balance

Airs 8pm Monday 30 July

In our final episode - how do you get the balance of work and life right? Carly Flynn wants to know is it possible and what role does food play? Carly meets a pilot who has all the tricks for balancing her family, work and jet lag. Nutritionist Claire Turnbull catches up with the Parkinsons to see how far they’ve really come in the last five months. Executive chef Sam Campbell and Claire wrap up the series with tricks for easy, healthy lunches for shift workers and people on the run.