166: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 166166: The Relaxback UK Show with Mike Dilke - Episode 166
UK Health Radio Podcast
Health experts and a successful slimmer talk about why people wait for problems before changing habits, focusing on sleep, simple food choices and movement. The conversation contrasts convenience food with home cooking and shows how small, realistic shifts and support can lead to major health improvements.
44:50•5 May 2026
Sleep, Supplements and Fakeaways: Rethinking Everyday Health Habits
Episode Overview
- Many adults say they want control of their health, yet survey data suggests most act only when problems become serious and three-quarters see a doctor only when absolutely necessary.
- Sleep difficulties, particularly among women, may drive low energy and motivation, making healthy eating and exercise much harder to maintain.
- Most people know the basic guidelines on diet but struggle with conflicting messages, practicalities, and lost cooking skills, leading to overuse of ready meals and takeaways.
- Supplements are presented as a "belt and braces" backup for common nutrient gaps, alongside—rather than instead of—a balanced diet.
- Home cooking, batch prep and "fakeaways" can cut costs dramatically, improve nutrition, and, as Raymond’s 12-stone loss shows, support substantial long-term weight change when combined with group support.
“If we could get sleep sorted, I think a lot of other things would fall into place.”
What can we learn from those who have battled everyday health habits and won? This Relaxback UK Show episode with host Mike Dilk looks at how small choices on sleep, food and movement might add up long before anyone reaches a GP’s waiting room. First up, dietitian Dr Carrie Ruxton explains why "prevention is better than cure" isn’t really happening, even though most people say they want control of their health.
Drawing on survey data, she notes that three-quarters only see a doctor when it’s absolutely necessary and that many overestimate how healthy their eating actually is. She breaks down the difference between dietitians and nutritionists, talks about using "food as medicine", and stresses three basics: better sleep, regular activity, and simple home cooking. Her line, "If we could get sleep sorted, I think a lot of other things would fall into place," sums up her approach neatly.
The conversation then shifts to nutritionist Alex Clark and Raymond Brown, who has lost over 12 stone. Together they look at convenience food versus home cooking, cost, and confidence in the kitchen. Raymond describes takeaways as his past "downfall" and explains how batch cooking and "fakeaways" now let him eat the foods he loves for far less money and with far better health results.
Alex backs this up with survey findings on how much people spend on takeaways each week and why many feel overwhelmed by cooking from scratch, even though a simple pasta sauce is within most people’s reach. The tone stays friendly and practical, with honest questions about laziness, time pressure and those too-cheap frozen pizzas. Anyone interested in prevention, weight management or just eating a bit better without feeling judged will find plenty to think about.
Which small change could you try first: earlier screen cut-off, one extra home-cooked meal, or a Sunday batch cook?
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