In this episode of the Lifestyle Design Secrets podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Laura from Low Carb Haven about her journey into low carb living. Laura opened up about her struggles with autoimmune conditions and shared how shifting her diet dramatically improved her health.

We delved into how she manages her family's nutrition and the essential role meal prep plays in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Throughout our conversation, Laura and I explored the impact of diet on overall well-being, emphasising the importance of real food and the dangers of processed alternatives. We discuss the rise of protein products, the decline of vegan options, and the critical role whole foods play in our diets.

Laura highlights the significance of mindset and the gut-brain connection, explaining how our food choices affect not just our physical health but also our mental state. We touch on various topics, including the carnivore diet, preventative health strategies, and the importance of setting a positive example for future generations.

Takeaways

• Laura's journey into low carb eating began after struggling with autoimmune conditions.
• She experienced significant health improvements after adopting a low carb lifestyle.
• Meal prep is essential for managing a busy family life while eating healthy.
• Laura emphasises the importance of real food over processed alternatives.
• She encourages a balanced approach to feeding children without strict restrictions.
• Exercise is integrated into her daily routine, focusing on steps and home workouts.
• Mindset plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
• Laura shares the challenges of balancing family nutrition with personal health goals.
• The gut-brain connection is vital in understanding dietary impacts on mood and energy.
• Laura's experience highlights the need for better education on nutrition in mainstream media. You can ruin any diet with processed foods.
• Whole foods are more recognizable to our bodies.
• The market is flooded with misleading health claims.
• Protein products are becoming ubiquitous in Australia.
• Vegan options are declining in popularity.
• Clean eating is challenging in a processed food market.
• Carnivore diets can be beneficial for some individuals.
• Modeling healthy habits is crucial for future generations.
• Preventative health approaches are important as we age.
• Reducing sugar is a key takeaway for autoimmune health.

Sound Bites

• "I don't mind eating leftovers."
• "I can get it done in two hours."
• "The problem was me."
• "We can ruin any diet we want to."
• "Chemical shitstorm."
• "Marketing is a great tool."
• "You might lose three kilos in a week."
• "Reduce your sugar is my main tip."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Low Carb Living

04:10 Transitioning to Low Carb Post-Pregnancy

10:07 Daily Eating Habits and Meal Prep

14:54 Exercise Routines and Staying Active

19:10 Mindset and the Impact of Diet on Health

25:40 The Importance of Real Food vs. Processed Alternatives

30:44 The Impact of Processed Diets on Health

33:38 Marketing and Misleading Health Claims

34:49 The Intersection of Food Marketing and Health

35:37 Navigating the Supermarket for Whole Foods

36:36 The Rise of Protein Products

37:34 The Decline of Vegan Options

38:30 The Importance of Whole Foods

39:34 Creating Clean Meal Staples

40:59 Convenience vs. Clean Eating

42:28 Understanding Low Carb Alternatives

44:15 Considering Carnivore Diets

46:05 Preventative Health Approaches

49:12 Modeling Healthy Habits for Future Generations

53:07 Key Takeaways for Autoimmune Conditions

Explore Laura’s World and business:

@lowcarbhaven

@laurascornerofchaos

www.lowcarbhaven.co.nz

My favourite snack on Laura’s website:

https://lowcarbhaven.co.nz/products/grandmas-no-1-pork-crackling-100g

Get 10% off Store Wide with Code AMY10 until 31st March 2025.

Free Tools & Resources: ⁠www.amysfitnessandnutrition.co.nz⁠📩