Dr Lisa Daniels, Our people, Department of Human Nutrition

PhD NZRD OLY

Dr Lisa Daniels is a Senior Lecturer and New Zealand Registered Dietitian (NZRD).

Lisa's research experience is in nutrition and public health with a specific interest in paediatrics. Her PhD was in infant nutrition and focused on assessing the impact of modified Baby-Led Weaning on iron and zinc in infants and toddlers. She is currently conducting research investigating breast milk intakes in New Zealand infants, alongside work in assessing the physical growth of tamariki using Whānau Āwhina Plunket data.

Her non-research career highlights include representing New Zealand in Synchronised Swimming at the Commonwealth Games (2006) and Olympics (2008) and co-authoring a cookbook with Nadia Lim (titled: YUM).

Current research Lisa leads or co-leads

Breast milk intakes: using the 'dose-to-mother stable isotope (deuterium oxide)' technique to assess breast milk intakes of New Zealand infants
Breast milk composition: determining nutrient composition of breast milk at 7-10 months postpartum
Plunket 'big data': using Plunket's electronic records to investigate areas of child health (growth, breastfeeding practices, safe sleep environments)
Healthy weight in Māori preschoolers: investigating anthropometrics and structural factors in Māori preschool children, using Ministry of Health 'B4 School Check' data

Current research Lisa supports

Rapid weight gain in infancy - evidence to support best practice care
Understanding parental knowledge of offering common food allergens to infants during the complementary feeding period
The relationship between baby-led weaning and baby food pouch use on nutrient intakes and iron status in New Zealand infants
Freeze dried donor human milk for improving premature infant outcomes

Memberships

New Zealand Registered Dietitian
Paediatric Society of New Zealadnd
The World Olympians Association
Dunedin Breastfeeding Network

Publications

Katiforis, I., Smith, C., Haszard, J. J., Styles, S. E., Leong, C., Taylor, R. W., … Daniels, L., … Rowan, M., … McLean, N. H., Cox, A. M., … Bruckner, B. R., … Heath, A.-L. M. (2025). Household food insecurity and novel complementary feeding methods in New Zealand families. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 21(1), e13715. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13715 Journal - Research Article

Medemblik, J. M., Conlon, C. A., Haszard, J. J., Heath, A.-L. M., Taylor, R. W., von Hurst, P., … Daniels, L. (2024). Parent-reported offering of allergen foods to infants during complementary feeding: An observational study of New Zealand infants. Appetite, 203, 107709. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107709 Journal - Research Article

Casale, M., Beck, K., Conlon, C., Te Morenga, L., Haszard, J., Heath, A.-L., Taylor, R., McLean, N., Daniels, L., & von Hurst, P. (2024). Iron status of Māori, Pacific and other infants in Aotearoa New Zealand. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand (NSNZ) 58th Annual Conference: Kotahitanga. (pp. 32). Retrieved from https://www.nsnzconference.co.nz/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Daniels, L., Heath, A.-L., Taylor, R., Bruckner, B., & Haszard, J. (2024). Assessment and prediction of human milk intake in late infancy [Invited]. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of New Zealand (NSNZ) 58th Annual Conference: Kotahitanga. (pp. 57). Retrieved from https://www.nsnzconference.co.nz/ Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

McLean, N. H., Bruckner, B. R., Heath, A.-L. M., Haszard, J. J., Daniels, L., Conlon, C. A., von Hurst, P. R., Beck, K. L., Te Morenga, L. A., Firestone, R., McArthur, J., Paul, R., Cox, A. M., Jones, E. A., Katiforis, I., Brown, K. J., Casale, M., Jupiterwala, R. M., Rowan, M. M., Wei, A., Fangupo, L. J., … Pulu, V., Neha, T., & Taylor, R. W. (2024). Frequent use of baby food pouches in infants and young children and associations with energy intake and BMI: An observational study. Nutrients, 16, 3165. doi: 10.3390/nu16183165 Journal - Research Article

2025

Journal - Research Article

2024

Journal - Research Article

Haszard, J. J., Heath, A.-L. M., Taylor, R. W., Bruckner, B., Katiforis, I., McLean, N. H., Cox, A. M., Brown, K. J., Casale, M., Jupiterwala, R., Diana, A., Beck, K. L., Conlon, C. A., von Hurst, P. R., & Daniels, L. (2024). Equations to estimate human milk intake in infants aged 7 to 10 months: Prediction models from a cross-sectional study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 120(1), 102-110. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.04.009

McLean, N. H., Haszard, J. J., Daniels, L., Taylor, R. W., Wheeler, B. J., Conlon, C. A., … Katiforis, I., … Cox, A. M., … Bruckner, B., … Heath, A.-L. M. (2024). Baby food pouches, baby-led weaning, and iron status in New Zealand infants: An observational study. Nutrients, 16, 1494. doi: 10.3390/nu16101494

Cox, A. M., Taylor, R. W., Haszard, J. J., Beck, K. L., von Hurst, P. R., Conlon, C. A., Te Morenga, L. A., Daniels, L., McArthur, J., Paul, R., McLean, N. H., Jones, E. A., Katiforis, I., Brown, K. J., Gash, M., Rowan, M., Fleming, E. A., Jupiterwala, R., Bruckner, B. R., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2024). Baby food pouches and Baby-Led Weaning: Associations with energy intake, eating behaviour and infant weight status. Appetite, 192, 107121. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107121

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

2023

Journal - Research Article

Daniels, L., Haszard, J. J., Taylor, R. W., & Taylor, B. J. (2023). Prevalence of low and high BMI during the first 3 years of life: Using New Zealand national electronic health data. Pediatric Obesity, 18(5), e13013. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.13013

Daniels, L., Haszard, J. J., Gibson, R. S., Taylor, R. W., Fleming, E. A., Miller, J. C., Thomson, C. D., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2023). Selenium intakes and plasma selenium of New Zealand toddlers: Secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Nutrition, 129, 1193-1201. doi: 10.1017/s0007114522002379

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Brown, K. J., Beck, K. L., von Hurst, P., Heath, A.-L., Taylor, R., Haszard, J., Daniels, L., … Katiforis, I., Rowan, M., McLean, N., Cox, A., Fleming, E., … Conlon, C. (2023). Adherence to infant feeding guidelines in the First Foods New Zealand study. Nutrients, 15, 4650. doi: 10.3390/nu15214650

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Medemblik, J., Conlon, C., Haszard, J., Heath, A.-L., Taylor, R., von Hurst, P., … Daniels, L. (2023). Parent-reported offering of allergen foods to infants during complementary feeding: An observational study. Proceedings of the Annual Scientific Meeting of the New Zealand and Australian Nutrition Societies: Nutrition and Wellbeing in Oceania. (pp. 197). Retrieved from https://nsnzconference.org.nz/

Brown, K., Beck, K., von Hurst, P., Heath, A.-L., Taylor, R., Haszard, J., Daniels, L., Te Morenga, L., & Conlon, C. (2023). Adherence to breastfeeding and complementary feeding guidelines within the First Foods New Zealand study. Medical Sciences Forum, 18(1), 16. doi: 10.3390/msf2023018016

2022

Authored Book - Other

Lim, N., Inglis, A., Douglas, J., & Daniels, L. (2022). Yum! Recipes and nutrition for the whole family. Auckland, New Zealand: Nude Food Inc, 356p.

Journal - Research Article

Daniels, L., Taylor, B. J., Taylor, R. W., Milne, B. J., Camp, J., Richards, R., & Shackleton, N. (2022). Further reductions in the prevalence of obesity in 4-year-old New Zealand children from 2017 to 2019. International Journal of Obesity, 46, 1176-1187. doi: 10.1038/s41366-022-01095-2

Journal - Research Other

Fangupo, L., Daniels, L., Taylor, R., Glover, M., Taungapeau, F., Sa'u, S., … Taylor, B. (2022). The care of infants with rapid weight gain: Should we be doing more? Journal of Paediatrics & Child Health, 58, 2143-2149. doi: 10.1111/jpc.16247

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Taylor, R., Haszard, J., Heath, A.-L., Galland, B., Gray, A., Meredith-Jones, K., Fangupo, L., Daniels, L., & Taylor, B. (2022). Rapid infant weight gain and later obesity: Should we use weight, weight for length, or body mass index? Obesity Reviews, 23(Suppl. 2), (pp. 82). doi: 10.1111/obr.13503

2021

Journal - Research Article

Green, T. J., Whitfield, K. C., Daniels, L., Brown, R. C., & Houghton, L. A. (2021). Modeling thiamine fortification: A case study from Kuria atoll, Republic of Kiribati. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1498, 108-115. doi: 10.1111/nyas.14561

Journal - Research Other

Taylor, R. W., Conlon, C. A., Beck, K. L., von Hurst, P. R., Te Morenga, L. A., Daniels, L., Haszard, J. J., Meldrum, A. M., McLean, N. H., Cox, A. M., Tukuafu, L., Casale, M., Brown, K. J., Jones, E. A., Katiforis, I., Rowan, M., McArthur, J., Fleming, E. A., Wheeler, B. J., Houghton, L. A., Diana, A., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2021). Nutritional implications of baby-led weaning and baby food pouches as novel methods of infant feeding: Protocol for an observational study. JMIR Research Protocols, 10(4), e29048. doi: 10.2196/29048

2020

Journal - Research Other

Daniels, L., Cutfield, W. S., Taylor, R. W., & Taylor, B. J. (2020). Why BMI should still be on the table. New Zealand Medical Journal, 133(1513), 97-100. Retrieved from https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal

Bacchus, S., Taylor, R. W., Fleming, E. A., Haszard, J. J., Fangupo, L., Daniels, L., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2020). The cost of baby-led vs. parent-led approaches to introducing complementary foods in New Zealand [Brief communication]. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 74, 1474-1477. doi: 10.1038/s41430-020-0606-7

2019

Journal - Research Article

Daniels, L., Gibson, R. S., Diana, A., Haszard, J. J., Rahmannia, S., Luftimas, D. E., … Reid, M., … Houghton, L. A. (2019). Micronutrient intakes of lactating mothers and their association with breast milk concentrations and micronutrient adequacy of exclusively breastfed Indonesian infants. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 110, 391-400. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqz047

Haszard, J. J., Diana, A., Daniels, L., Houghton, L. A., & Gibson, R. S. (2019). Development of a nutrient quality score for the complementary diets of Indonesian infants and relationships with linear growth and stunting: A longitudinal analysis. British Journal of Nutrition, 122, 71-77. doi: 10.1017/S0007114519000813

Houghton, L. A., Brown, R. C., Beaumont, S., Jennings, S., Bailey, K. B., Haszard, J. J., … Daniels, L., & Gibson, R. S. (2019). Micronutrient status differs among Maasai and Kamba preschoolers participating in a supplementary feeding program in Kenya. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 15, e12805. doi: 10.1111/mcn.12805

Commissioned Report for External Body

Daniels, L., Taylor, B. J., & Cutfield, W. S. (2019). Excessive weight gain and poor growth. In W. S. Cutfield, J. G. B. Derraik, C. Waetford, G. T. Gillon & B. J. Taylor (Eds.), A better start E tipu e rea National Science Challenge: Brief evidence reviews for the Well Child Tamariki Ora Programme. (pp. 141-167). Commissioned by Ministry of Health Manatū Hauora. Auckland, New Zealand: A Better Start National Science Challenge. Retrieved from https://www.health.govt.nz/publications

2018

Journal - Research Article

Morison, B. J., Heath, A.-L. M., Haszard, J. J., Hein, K., Fleming, E. A., Daniels, L., Erickson, E. W., Fangupo, L. J., Wheeler, B. J., Taylor, B. J., & Taylor, R. W. (2018). Impact of a modified version of baby-led weaning on dietary variety and food preferences in infants. Nutrients, 10, 1092. doi: 10.3390/nu10081092

Leong, C., Haszard, J. J., Lawley, B., Otal, A., Taylor, R. W., Szymlek-Gay, E. A., Fleming, E. A., Daniels, L., Fangupo, L. J., Tannock, G. W., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2018). Mediation analysis as a means of identifying dietary components that differentially affect the fecal microbiota of infants weaned by modified baby-led and traditional approaches. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 84(18), e00914-18. doi: 10.1128/aem.00914-18

Daniels, L., Taylor, R. W., Williams, S. M., Gibson, R. S., Fleming, E. A., Wheeler, B. J., Taylor, B. J., Haszard, J. J., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2018). Impact of a modified version of baby-led weaning of iron intake and status: A randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 8(6), e019036. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019036

Williams Erickson, L., Taylor, R. W., Haszard, J. J., Fleming, E. A., Daniels, L., Morison, B. J., Leong, C., Fangupo, L. J., Wheeler, B. J., Taylor, B. J., Te Morenga, L., McLean, R. M., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2018). Impact of a modified version of baby-led weaning on infant food and nutrient intakes: The BLISS randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 10(6), 740. doi: 10.3390/nu10060740

Daniels, L., Taylor, R. W., Williams, S. M., Gibson, R. S., Samman, S., Wheeler, B. J., Taylor, B. J., Fleming, E. A., … Heath, A.-L. M. (2018). Modified version of baby-led weaning does not result in lower zinc intake or status in infants: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics, 118(6), 1006-1016.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2018.02.005

Daniels, L., Williams, S. M., Gibson, R. S., Taylor, R. W., Samman, S., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2018). Modifiable "predictors" of zinc status in toddlers. Nutrients, 10(3), 306. doi: 10.3390/nu10030306

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Daniels, L., Gibson, R. S., Diana, A., Haszard, J. J., Rahmannia, S., Luftimas, D. E., … Reid, M., … Houghton, L. A. (2018). Breast milk volume and micronutrient composition, the association of maternal diet and adequacy of micronutrient intake of exclusively breastfed Indonesian infants. Proceedings of the Otago Global Health Institute (OGHI) 11th Annual Conference. (pp. 13-14). Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/global-health/annual-conference

2017

Journal - Research Article

Taylor, R. W., Williams, S. M., Fangupo, L. J., Wheeler, B. J., Taylor, B. J., Daniels, L., Fleming, E. A., McArthur, J., Morison, B., Williams Erickson, L., Davies, R. S., Bacchus, S., Cameron, S. L., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2017). Effect of a baby-led approach to complementary feeding on infant growth and overweight: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Pediatrics, 171(9), 838-846. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2017.1284

2015

Journal - Research Other

Daniels, L., Heath, A.-L. M., Williams, S. M., Cameron, S. L., Fleming, E. A., Taylor, B. J., Wheeler, B. J., Gibson, R. S., & Taylor, R. W. (2015). Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) study: A randomised controlled trial of a baby-led approach to complementary feeding. BMC Pediatrics, 15, 179. doi: 10.1186/s12887-015-0491-8

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Daniels, L., Taylor, R. W., Gibson, R. S., Samman, S., Haszard, J. J., Williams, S. M., Wheeler, B. J., Taylor, B. J., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2015). Impact of a baby-led approach to complementary feeding on iron status at 12 months of age: A randomised controlled trial. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society of Australia, 39, (pp. 42). Sydney, Australia: Nutrition Society of Australia. [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Daniels, L., Taylor, R. W., Gibson, R. S., Samman, S., Haszard, J. J., Williams, S. M., Wheeler, B. J., Taylor, B. J., & Heath, A.-L. M. (2015, December). Impact of a baby-led approach to complementary feeding on iron status at 12 months of age: A randomised controlled trial. Verbal presentation at the Postgraduate & Early Career Nutrition Conference, Wellington, New Zealand.

2014

Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs

Daniels, L., Perry, T. L., Haszard, J. J., Skeaff, C. M., Ceelen, I. J. M., & Fairbairn, K. A. (2014, August). Vitamin D status and performance in semi-professional male rugby union players: A cross-sectional analysis. Verbal presentation at the Postgraduate & Early Career Nutrition Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.