Defining Health

04/03/2026

Myth 2: Cholesterol-rich foods are bad for you

Eggs. Shellfish. Full-fat dairy. Organ meats. These foods are often labelled “high cholesterol” but they are also incredibly nutrient dense. Egg yolks provide choline (critical for brain health), B12, selenium, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, & K. Full-fat yoghurt contains protein, calcium, and beneficial fats. Liver is one of the most nutrient-rich foods available.

For most people, dietary cholesterol has minimal impact on blood cholesterol levels. Your liver tightly regulates cholesterol production, it’s not a simple “eat cholesterol, raise cholesterol” equation.

Food is more than a single nutrient.

03/03/2026

Myth 1: Eating fat makes you gain weight

Weight gain doesn’t happen because you eat fat. It happens when you overeat nutritionally empty foods.

In fact, including healthy fats in meals can actually support weight management. Fat slows digestion, stabilises blood sugar, and helps you feel satisfied for longer. When you remove fat completely, you often end up hungrier and more likely to overeat the wrong foods.

Quality matters, of course. Deep-fried takeaway is not the same as avocado, nuts, eggs, olive oil, or full-fat yoghurt.

Fat isn’t the problem. Unhealthy food choices are.

03/03/2026

9 Myths About Dietary Fat and Cholesterol - (And why we need to stop fearing food)
For decades, we were told that fat was the enemy.

Butter was swapped for margarine. Egg yolks were tossed out. Full-fat dairy was replaced with “light” versions. Supermarket shelves filled with fat-free everything, and we were assured it was better for our hearts, our weight, and our health.

But here’s the truth: nutrition science has evolved. And much of what we were told about fat and cholesterol simply doesn’t hold up.

As a clinical nutritionist, one of the most common conversations I have with patients is around fear of fat, especially in women navigating midlife, metabolic changes, and hormonal shifts.
So over the next 2 weeks I am going to gently unpack some of the biggest myths.

11/02/2026

I want to share an important update that could shape the future of menopause care in Australia.

In January, Australian pharmaceutical company Lawley Pharmaceuticals launched legal action after the PBAC declined to recommend PBS listing for AndroFeme 1, a female-specific testosterone treatment for post-menopausal women with distressing low libido (HSDD).

Here’s why this matters:
• Men have access to at least 8 PBS-subsidised testosterone products
• Women have access to none
• Women currently pay 14–16 times more for equivalent treatment

AndroFeme 1 has been TGA-registered since 2020 and is approved in Australia, the UK, NZ and South Africa, but remains privately funded here.

This isn’t just about one product. It’s about equity. It’s about whether women’s sexual health and quality of life are taken seriously.

I see the impact of this gap in care every day in my practice.

If this matters to you, please consider signing the Healthy Hormones petition calling for fair PBS access to testosterone for women.

Change in women’s health doesn’t happen quietly — it happens when we speak up together.

https://c.org/DgjvFXbM62

07/02/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1Ds59H5ViC/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/02/2026

Read my blog to understand - Why you should prioritise your health with a body composition scan

https://www.defininghealth.com.au/blog/rm5s06363tod2bi8de4ott2wuqskky

04/02/2026

Do yu have the right numbers? Don't be fooled by the number on the scale, you need to know your body composition, not your weight!

22/01/2026

13/01/2026

12/01/2026

With the explosion of unqualified menopause “coaches”, it’s never been more important to ask: who are you trusting with your health? In my latest blog I share why qualified, evidence-based menopause support matters and how to choose safely.

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With the explosion of unqualified health and menopause “coaches”, it’s never been more important to ask: who are you trusting with your health? Renee Bailey, Certified Practicing Nutritionist, shares why qualified, evidence-based menopause support matters and how to choose safely.

08/01/2026

Don’t fear saturated fat.
Don’t fear red meat.
Don’t fear real food.

The newly released US Dietary Guidelines have officially flipped the food pyramid on its head and it’s a long-overdue shift in the right direction.

What does deserve our concern are industrially manufactured substances: refined sugars and carbohydrates, seed oils, and ultra-processed “foods” that bear little resemblance to what humans have eaten for generations.

This is about coming back to real, nutrient-dense food and moving away from fear-based nutrition messaging that have not served our health.

It’s time for a reset. Let’s hope Australian policy makers are paying attention.

See more at: www.realfood.gov

Thanks to Belinda Fettke Research, Dr James Muecke, and Nina Teicholz for always being supportive and sharing this information!