33. Lois Daish on food, age, and listening to your gut

September 23, 2025

Learning How To Be Old

00:00 / 25 min 51 sec

In this beautifully reflective episode, Rachel McAlpine chats with her distinguished guest Lois Daish on food, aging, and how our relationship with food changes as we grow older. Lois Daish is a legendary New Zealand food writer, cook, and culinary guide. From the humble breakfasts of the 1940s to today’s one-pot pasta hacks, this conversation blends memory, practicality, and a deep respect for the rhythms of the body in later life.

Together, Rachel and Lois explore:

what it means to cook for yourself as an older person
how digestion, dental health, and gut instincts shape food choices in later years
the quiet pleasure of preparing a simple meal from scratch
the evolution of food culture in Aotearoa—from the Edmonds Cook Book to radishes with butter
why Lois never calls herself a chef
the power of listening to your body, one meal at a time

Plus slimy porridge, an ode to lettuce, a philosophical giggle about farting, and “Jack Sprat” reinterpreted for modern food trends. That’s just a taste of Lois Daish on food!