Health blogger - Stacey Roberts

Why did you decide to start a health blog?

Veggie Mama was born out of my desire to break into the online freelance writing game. I was a newspaper editor, but wanted something more flexible as I knew I was about to start my family. I thought about writing in the food niche, and how a blog would be a wonderful portfolio to showcase my work.

How do you decide what health topics to cover in your blog?

That was easy! I am a keen cook, and have been vegetarian for almost 8 years. I wanted to blog my journey into eating fresh, vibrant, healthy, plant-based dishes and to show others (who were always asking for my recipes!) that cutting meat back, or out entirely, could still be delicious.

Are there particular health topics that get consistently high engagement with your readers?

Oh yes, apart from the occasional story from the parenting trenches, I find the posts that get the most attention are the ones where I make veggie food fun for kids.

In your opinion, what are the biggest future health issues facing Australia?

I worry about heart disease, as it is one of the biggest killers, yet easily avoided with a thoughtful diet and regular exercise. People are very protective of their comfort foods, though! Which is why obesity and Type 2 diabetes are a problem.

How has digital publishing and the internet influenced the way we access health information?

It is much easier to access in the present day, and while that is a boon, it's also overwhelming. Sometimes it can be tough for people to sort out which is quality advice backed up by consistent research and statistically-significant results, and which is simply a passionate (and convincing) person on a bandwagon. We reach for what gives us comfort, or what motivates us though, so people often make decisions based on that.

What are your top three tips for people to live for better health?

Well, I'm the parent of two under two, so the first thing I'm going to say is get lots of sleep! I don't get much at the moment, and am feeling the effects in every area of my life.

The second thing is to get your body moving every day. You don't have to jump straight for the gym, but a brisk walk in the fresh air never fails to make you feel good. And then you feel motivated to make better diet choices because you don't want to undo the good you just did.

Third is to do what makes you happy. Stress is the worst for your body, and the domino effect it can have on your choices are wide-reaching. Cut back where you can, do more of what you love, and recharge often.

Read Stacey's blog at theveggiemama.com