menu_open Columnists
Rachel Woods

Rachel Woods

Belfast News Letter

We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

The weight‑loss drug divide: private prescribing is lowest where need is greatest

The weight‑loss drug divide: private prescribing is lowest where need is greatest

GLP-1 drugs can produce major weight loss, but their wider impact will depend on affordable treatment and appropriate support.

09.09.2026 10

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Does timing matter when you take supplements? Here’s what the evidence says

Taking a supplement at the right time may improve absorption, although need, dose and possible medicine interactions come first.

20.08.2026 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Why children often eat less in hot weather – and when parents should worry

Digestion produces heat, drinks can affect hunger and children’s intake naturally varies. Here’s what parents need to know.

13.08.2026 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Five foods that can help keep children hydrated during a heatwave

Struggling to get children to drink enough in hot weather? Water-rich foods can help top up their fluid intake alongside regular drinks.

12.08.2026 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Could a gut microbe help reduce weight regain after dieting? New study suggests it might

The researchers looked at Akkermansia muciniphila, one of the most abundant gut microbes.

02.06.2026 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Five reasons to add peas into your diet

Peas can be a good source of protein, fibre and micronutrients.

08.05.2026 30

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Could a gut microbe influence muscle strength?

Muscle strength is crucial for good health.

19.03.2026 40

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

What are postbiotic supplements – and do you really need them?

Postbiotic supplements may sound appealing, but science has not yet caught up with marketing.

23.01.2026 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

What detox really means, and why most detox diets miss the point

The wellness industry has redefined detox in ways that medicine does not recognise. Here is why most detox claims do not stand up to evidence.

21.01.2026 30

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Weight loss drugs make it harder to get the nutrients you need – here’s what to do about it

Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy reduce hunger and help with weight loss – but long-term use can make nutrient deficiencies more likely.

09.01.2026 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Five ways to improve your health this year that don’t rely on losing weight

Diet searches surge every January, but most quick fixes do not last. Here are five evidence-based habits that improve health without focusing on...

01.01.2026 30

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Kimchi may boost immune function, recent study shows

As little as 30 grams of kimchi per day may lead to beneficial immune system changes.

03.12.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Can colostrum supplements improve your skin, gut and immune system? A nutritionist explains

Colostrum protects newborns in their most vulnerable hours. Now it is being sold to adults in supplement form.

10.11.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Five scary myths about sugar this Halloween – by a nutritionist

One night of sweets won’t harm your child. But daily sugar overload can affect sleep, health and even mood.

23.10.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

The exercise paradox: why workouts aren’t great for weight loss but useful for maintaining a healthy body weight

Exercise has many health benefits beyond weight loss.

20.10.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

What the gut microbiome of the world’s oldest person can tell us about ageing

Yoghurts, microbes and a 117-year lifespan: the story of María Branyas Morera’s extraordinary gut.

01.10.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

‘Fat but fit’: what the latest study reveals

New research finds lowest risk of early death may not sit in the traditional healthy BMI range.

17.09.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

From resort buffets to long flights: simple tips for eating well on holiday

Here’s how to keep your gut happy and your energy up while on holiday – so you can make the most of every moment.

18.08.2025 30

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Five things I wish everyone knew about weight loss – by an expert in nutrition

Losing weight is hard – and it’s not just about willpower. Biology, environment and inequality all play a role.

06.08.2025 60

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Five things I wish people knew about supplements – by a nutritionist

From gummies promising to eradicate cellulite to brain-boosting powders, supplements are big business. But the science is often shaky.

04.08.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods

Why you can’t judge health by weight alone

Weight is a visible, cheap and easy metric – but it doesn’t reflect what matters most: diet quality, physical activity, blood pressure, stress or...

25.07.2025 20

The Conversation

Rachel Woods