Having moved to the UK from Australia in 2007, I’ve slowly morphed into a quasi-Brit. But there are two things I still struggle to get my head around even after nearly 20 years here (and being married to a Briton for 10 of those).
The seasons still throw me, as someone who grew up in a climate that varied simply between warm and hot. And – the food. I’m convinced we Aussies seem to have a better cultural and societal sense of how to eat more healthily. It just seems so much easier.
Admittedly the Australian obesity rate is higher than the UK’s (32 per cent of all adults compared to 28 per cent of Brits) but the structural reasons behind this make it a difficult like-for-like comparison. Urban sprawl and the generally large distances between places mean we rely more on driving than in the UK, and many remote communities can struggle sourcing fresh produce.
But if you look at the bigger health picture, though, we Australians have a lot going for us. We live longer – around 84 years versus around 82 – and are generally less likely to die of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer. I’m sure there are many factors behind this, but the way Australians eat must be a contributing factor.
UK NEWS
Mourners gather for Ann Widdecombe’s funeral
Family, friends and colleagues are gathering in Devon today to say goodbye to former Tory minister and Reform UK politician Ann Widdecombe.
What you need to know
Requiem mass
Widdecombe’s funeral service with a requiem mass is taking place at Buckfast Abbey in Devon.
Public memorial
The former MP, who died at 78, was a worshipper in the Abbey Church. A public memorial will be held later this year.
Death in July
She died in July after she was repeatedly hit over the head with a hammer at her home. Joshua Kerry, 28, has been charged with her murder.
A woman of profound faith which found expression in politics.
The former MP was unafraid to express her “unwavering convictions formed through her Roman Catholic faith”, read a statement from the abbey ahead of the funeral.
She was first elected as a Conservative MP in Kent in 1987. At the time of her death, she was a spokeswoman for Reform UK. She appeared on and .
Police probe arson at Farage home
Police continue to investigate whether the man charged with Widdecombe’s murder could be linked to an alleged firebomb attack at Nigel Farage’s home. Earlier this week, the Reform leader claimed the incident was “directly linked” to her death, and also alleged that counter-terrorism police had “made some mistakes”.
2 min read
Why you should ‘use less electricity’ during the solar eclipse
The UK’s biggest household energy supplier has asked customers to use less electricity during Wednesday’s solar eclipse.
Octopus Energy warned that solar power will “plummet” during the big event.
What you need to know
Solar eclipse on the way
More than 90 per cent of the sun will be obscured by the moon between 6.17pm and 8.06pm on Wednesday.
Protect your eyes
It’s the most the sun has been blocked above UK skies since 1999’s total eclipse.
Use less electricity
“Switch off, head outside and be in nature”, said Octopus Energy, explaining it would take the strain off the grid.
Free hour of power
- Octopus customers who use less electricity than normal for at least 30 minutes during the eclipse will get a free hour of power on Sunday.
- The eclipse falls at a “very busy time” for consumption as people make dinner, boil the kettle and watch TV.
- The UK has to “fire up extra fossil-fuel-run power stations” at busy times, which is expensive, said Octopus.
3 min read
Summer boost for solar
While the moon blocks the sun, solar generation will plummety.
Octopus said solar power generation will fall just as home energy demand spikes during the eclipse. But the renewable source has enjoyed a great summer. Last month, the UK saw the sunniest July on record.
It helped solar power to a new monthly record, providing 14.4 per cent of all electricity over the month – and a peak of 44 per cent of generation for a period on 12 July.
The Office star Lucy Davis reveals ‘incurable’ cancer diagnosis
star Lucy Davis has revealed that she has been diagnosed with “incurable” stage four breast cancer.
The 53-year-old actress is best known for playing Dawn Tinsley in the BBC sitcom.
What you need to know
- Davis said in a post that cancer has “metastasised” to her bones, and it is “too late” for chemotherapy.
- She asked her friends and family to poke fun “as much as possible” and not treat her like a “sick person”.
- Davis said she will continue working for animal rights and keep working as an actress, calling it one of the “biggest joys” of her life.
5 min read
Why Davis’s story will resonate
Commenting on Davis’s post, US star Jenna Fischer said: “Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer!”
Fischer revealed in 2024 that she had been diagnosed with stage one triple-positive breast cancer, but was now “cancer-free”.
Breast Cancer Now said Davis’s story will “resonate with thousands”. The charity said it was a “powerful reminder” that more needs to be done to tackle metastatic breast cancer.
Davis played receptionist Dawn in . Her character’s slow-burn romance with Tim, played by Martin Freeman, was one of the most notable storylines in the series. Davis is also known for playing Hayley Jordan on BBC Radio 4’s and appeared in the 2004 comedy with Simon Pegg.
6 min read
Putin has a sinister new plan. We should all be worried
The last month has seen the fiercest exchange of missile attacks between Russia and Ukraine in more than four years of war.
But the fighting is in dynamic impasse, with a huge amount of killing and damage on either side with little to show for it. Russia now looks to be trying to shake that up.
What has changed?
In the past week, Vladimir Putin has urged new field commanders to get the job done to seize the whole of Donetsk by the end of the year.
Lithuania warned a few days ago intelligence services thought Russia could try to provoke allies in the region in the next few weeks. This points to a dangerous new phase of the war.
The sinister new plan
Russia is using three lines of attack to break the will of Ukraine: to bring misery, a lack of power and utilities with the onset of winter and to grind down the forces on the front line.
The new military appointments and exhortations suggest Putin intends to intensify ground attacks in Ukraine.
4 min read
What does this mean for Ukraine?
- The numbers look bleak for Ukraine going into the winter.
- The trashing of its cities, including the targeting of filling stations, aims at depriving Ukrainians of heat and comfort, and even adequate food.
- Ukraine is fighting back hard, but the next phase of the war could stretch it to breaking point.
Why you shouldn’t use your 1999 solar eclipse glasses
With a rare partial solar eclipse later today, many are casting their minds back to the last major eclipse over the UK before the turn of the century.
But experts have warned people not to re-use glasses bought for the astronomical event 27 years ago.
What you need to know
Many parts of the country will experience more than 90 per cent coverage of the Sun.
Depending on your location, it will occur between 6.15pm and 8pm. People in the south-west of England are likely to get the most coverage. For the best view, it is a good idea to head to high ground.
2 min read
When will this happen again?
There has been a last-minute rush for eclipse glasses, as many high street shops and online retailers have sold out.
The next total solar eclipse over the UK will not happen until 2090.
3 min read
5 min read
Put the old glasses away
- Only specialist glasses that are ISO 12312-1 certified should be used, experts said.
- People should only use glasses that are undamaged and no more than a decade old.
5 min read
How solo working is driving rising hours spent alone
Working from home and other solitary working habits are a bigger driver of loneliness than screen time, research suggests.
What you need to know
- The Resolution Foundation made the findings by analysing UK Time Use Survey.
- It found the average number of people doing paid work alone has nearly tripled in under a decade.
- Working from home accounted for roughly two-thirds of the rise in work done alone.
- The research found that “paid work is the biggest driver of rising time alone among working-age people”.
- Parth Pandya, researcher at the Resolution Foundation, said: “If policy makers are serious about improving young people’s wellbeing, then work needs to be part of the debate as much as screen time.”
The story in numbers
15%
Among 18 to 69-year-olds, the average proportion of people who were doing paid work alone in the standard working day increased from five per cent in 2014 up to 15 per cent in 2023.
90 minutes
The biggest change was among men aged 18-29, who spent an additional 90 minutes working alone each day.
This means they spend more than two-fifths of the hours they are awake alone.
What does this mean?
The research said: “It is more solo working, rather than screen time, that has driven the rise in reported time alone.
“Despite likely under-reporting of screen time, time alone for young people is still up. So, something else must be driving it – and the diary data points to a sharp rise in solo working.”
5 min read
Do some foods leave
you feeling hungry rather than satiated? Experts say there are…
Foods that leave you hungrier
A bowl of cereal and glass of orange juice
More refined cereals are digested quickly, and fruit juice, whilst one of your five-a-day, contains less fibre than whole fruit. This might mean you find yourself hungry again within 1-2 hours of eating this breakfast.
Swap the orange juice for a whole orange, the cereal for oats and milk or serve it with Greek yoghurt or a boiled egg. This would increase the fibre and protein content; two nutrients strongly linked with fullness.
Foods that leave you hungrier
These pastries are made primarily from refined flour and butter, and are relatively low in protein and fibre.
Toast and jam
Shop-bought packs can contain a lot of white rice, which is digested quickly, and the protein content is often modest.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Vegetable soup
On its own, it is often very low in protein and calories, so hunger can return quickly.
Unless it’s loaded with veggies, it’s probably pretty low in fibre.
Liquids are generally less filling as they require little chewing which may not trigger satiety signals.
Foods that leave you hungrier
Snack bars
They are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, but if reducing hunger is what you’re after, it’d be better to swap it out.
Low-fat yoghurt
A full-fat plain Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds tends to be much more filling due to the protein, fat and fibre.
On an empty stomach, it can actually increase your appetite.
What to eat instead
Instead of thinking about avoiding foods, think about what you can add to them.
- Add beans, lentils or shredded chicken to your vegetable soup and pasta.
- Thicken your smoothies with Greek yoghurt, chia seeds and oats.
- Apple slices with peanut butter, yogurt with berries and hummus with oat biscuits are better snack options than a pre-made snack bar.
- Have alcohol alongside a balanced meal containing protein and fibre.
How to age well
without pain
Will Harlow, a physiotherapist
for the over-50s and author of Independence for Life, shares
the key signs you’re ageing
badly – and what to do about it.
How to know
Ageing well is maintaining the ability to do what you want you want for as long as you want without needing help. Everyone is talking about longevity but what’s the point in living longer if the last decade is painful and you’re [totally] reliant on people?”
The signs to look out for
- The most obvious early warning sign of bad ageing is pain says Harlow.
- Another is losing confidence in doing daily tasks, which can quickly lead to a lack of independence.
- One call Harlow often receives is people calling after having a fall and struggling to get up.
4 min read
How to age without pain
Not just stopping
When people retire, they often put their feet up and stop. Your body really is use it or lose it.
Throughout our entire lives, Harlow says we need between seven and nine hours of sleep.
Social isolation
The lack of connection can increase the risk of premature death by
as much as 29 per cent.
Strength training
It really is the proxy for
overall independence.
The more muscle mass you have, the less chance of heart disease, diabetes, falls and even anxiety, depression and dementia.
The brain can be linked to muscle mass too, Harlow says. It’s not just about being able to lift things. It gives you more energy, better sleep and you’ll look and feel better.
How to age without pain
Daily habits
Do short bursts of exercise, between 30 and 60 seconds, in otherwise dead time during the day.
Stretch in bed
Take joints through a full range of motion for five minutes to loosen it before getting up.
Don’t crash diet
How to age without pain
Harlow advises 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight to stop muscle loss alongside resistance training.
Don’t wait
Harlow finds that many patients put off making a change to their lifestyle until their lives are consumed by pain.
For most people, it’s about reducing the number of times per week you’re exercising, not reducing intensity.
The three ageing tests to do
- Lie completely flat on the floor and get back up to a standing position using any technique. This should take less than 10 seconds.
See how many times you can sit on the chair and stand back up again in 30 seconds. Men should be aiming for more than 14 times and women 12.
The single-leg stand, which involves standing on one leg and balancing for 10 seconds. Everyone should be able to do that and for those under 65, Harlow asks them to do it with their eyes closed.
During my time in both countries, I’ve noticed a number of micro-habits that are second nature in Australia but not in Britain. I theorised that these things must be helping to paint an overall healthier food picture. And I’ve compared notes with two experts: Emma Wight-Boycott, a qualified nutritionist and fitness instructor at Nutricol, and Abigail Ireland, a performance coach and nutrition expert, who’s British, but lived in Australia for six years.
Here are our conclusions.
We are snobs about b
In Australia, people have a high baseline when it comes to bread, wine and coffee. The demand for fresh bread over processed loaves means we have several national bakery chains.
They’re more upmarket than Greggs but not as posh as Gail’s. It’s part of most families’ daily routine to pick up a loaf of bread from Brumby’s, and some cheesymite scrolls for the kids’ afternoon snack (known as ‘smoko’ where I’m from).
Proud of our world famous wine regions, Australians also have little tolerance for bad wine – anyone caught drinking from a “goon bag” (cask wine) past their university student days will immediately be judged.
As for coffee, local brands rule over places like Starbuck’s. You’ll see more unbranded cups in people’s hands than branded, as most people have their favourite independent hole in the wall.
“There’s a real cultural pride in quality ingredients. Better bread usually means fewer additives and more whole grains. Better coffee means less reliance on sugary drinks,” says Wight-Boycott.
Beetroot and pumpkin everywhere
When my UK pilates teacher recently recommended we all eat more beetroot, I had to smile smugly, because I’ll bet you a Vegemite sandwich that every Australian will have a tin of sliced beetroot in the cupboard.
Order a burger, wrap or sandwich from your local takeaway (not a Pret – we don’t have those) and I guarantee you, it will come with beetroot in it. Beetroot is a salad staple too.
“Aussies treat beetroot like a standard everyday veg, rather than a niche one. From a nutrition perspective it’s brilliant – rich in nitrates that support blood flow, exercise performance and heart health. I wish the UK embraced it more,” says Wight-Boycott.
You’ll also often find pumpkin as a delicious roast dinner side – something Wight-Boycott says is nutrient-dense, high in fibre, and naturally sweet without added sugar. “It’s such an easy way to make a roast more colourful and balanced,” she adds.
More seafood, less meat
It’s true, Australians do love to “put a shrimp on the barbie” – but they’re prawns. Nobody calls them shrimps. Ok yes, we’re more likely to have the weather for lighting up the BBQ for a seafood feast, but grilled seafood generally is something we also just have as a standard meal.
For example, grilled fish is a common option in your local chippy, whereas in the UK, it seems that only the fancy ones offer this. Even then, it’s a gamble as to whether it will taste any good. Fish, chips, and salad is also a standard “combo” meal in Australia. When I’ve ordered fish and chip takeaways with Brits, they always look at me like I’m mad if I dare to order salad.
And at Christmas time, we love to put on a seafood spread. Again, I get that it’s a more appealing meal than a roast turkey when it’s 35 degrees, but tucking into seafood means we’ve still got enough energy to move afterwards.
“Lighter, seafood-based meals with salad naturally means more Omega‑3s, less saturated fat, and more fresh produce. The weather helps, but the habit sticks year-round,” confirms Wight-Boycott. “Offering grilled fish at takeaways is also a small shift that makes a big nutritional difference – lower fat, higher protein, and better portion balance.”
Super sushi
Sushi is a food court favourite in Aus. It’s cheap – about the same price in Aussie dollars as British pounds for the same amount – making it the perfect quick, healthy lunch.
You’ll find sushi most commonly available as a long hand roll so there’s no messing around with tiny pre-cut pieces, either. Perhaps we’ve taken inspiration from sausage rolls.
You’ll also often find it filled with canned tuna rather than fresh, which is likely what helps keep the price down, but it’s still delicious.
“When sushi is accessible, it becomes a default grab-and-go option instead of pastries or sandwiches. It’s typically lower in saturated fat and higher in omega‑3s and vegetables,” says Wight-Boycott.
Smashing avocado
The stereotype is true – when Aussies head out for breakfast or brunch, we’d much rather smashed avo on sourdough than a big, greasy fry up. It’s a common easy lunch or dinner too when you’re pushed for time.
I’m always surprised at the British appetite for a full English breakfast, and just how many calories they can pack away in one sitting.
“Avo on toast gives fibre, healthy fats and micronutrients, whereas a fry-up leans heavily on processed meats,” agrees Wight-Boycott.
“Aussies have a much stronger ‘healthy breakfast’ norm. Even in supermarkets, the yoghurt aisle tells the story – full-fat, high-protein, minimally sweetened yoghurts are standard. In the UK, low-fat and sweetened options still dominate. That alone shifts morning nutrition quite a lot.”
Abigail Ireland also brought home many of the eating habits she picked up in Australia – items like quinoa, chia seeds, cacao and matcha, which she says the UK has now caught up on.
Drink less – do more
While officially, it seems the UK and Australia are neck and neck on alcohol consumption, anecdotally, it feels like Australian socialising tends to revolve more around activities rather than drinking.
For example, Ireland recalls spending much of her time in Sydney hanging out with friends over a game of barefoot bowls, or going for a walk followed by brunch – rather than simply hitting the pub all the time.
“Then when I came back to England, I’d say to my friends, ‘Do you want to go for a workout then brunch?’ The response would be, ‘I’ll just meet you for the brunch part’,” says Ireland.
“They’d also assume I was talking about a boozy ‘bottomless’ brunch, but I was thinking more of the avocado on toast kind.”
She’s also been happy to see Aussie style cafes offering healthier options becoming more prominent, like Daisy Green and Australian-inspired venues across London. “We often go to get our Australian fix,” she says.