Heidi’s wholefood influence

If you’re on Instagram looking for wholefood cooking inspiration, you likely already follow Heidi Sze. A mother, cook, dietitian and writer, Heidi’s love of food and cooking comes from growing up in Red Hill surrounded by beautiful produce and having a mother “who loved to cook and was good at it”. In 2011, Heidi started her blog called Apples Under My Bed. Two children and one book later, this blogger turned author is still happiest cooking, writing, reflecting, and sharing her wholefood family life. Nikki Fisher caught up with her.

Why did you become a dietitian?

I loved food and cooking and thought it would be an excellent idea to be paid to talk about food all day.

What’s your food philosophy?

Feel-good food. By that I mean paying attention to your needs – tuning in, being mindful – and eating in a way that makes you feel good and nourished. What that looks like can change day to day, season to season. It also extends to eating in a way that is good for the planet.

What would your advice be to parents who have ‘fussy eaters’?

Try to take the pressure off them to eat – if they sense pressure, they generally won’t want to try things – and off yourself to have them eat ‘perfectly’. It can take a long time for kids to come around to new foods and it’s natural for them to be cautious. Model eating a variety of food yourself without pressure, and give it time.

How did you find time to write your book Nurturing New Life with a small child? What was your writing process?

My eldest was two and a half when I started writing my book, and at the time I was pregnant with my second. I got the book deal and a positive pregnancy test in the same week. The first trimester was rough; all I wanted to do was lie on the couch and watch Law & Order while eating potato chips. But eventually I got into a good flow. I would write on the weekends when my husband was home, and whenever my mother and mother-in-law could be with my child.

Social media gets a bad rap a lot of the time. What do you think is good about it?

I love that I can follow home cooks from around the world and get a peek at their cosy kitchens. There are people I have never met in real life but with whom I feel a deep connection. I also love that we can come together and raise money for certain causes – #CookForUkraine being a recent example.

Any news or upcoming projects readers should know about?

Not at the moment. After a challenging couple of years for a variety of reasons, I’m simply enjoying feeling good and content.

You can see Heidi’s take on wholefood and family life on her Instagram page @heidiapples or on her website www.applesundermybed.com. Heidi also contributes recipes to ABC Everyday.