My eating has shifted dramatically over the years. When we know better, we do better, and that’s exactly what happened to me. Over the years, I’ve slowly evolved into a more whole foods way of eating to create healthy eating habits for longevity. It was quite the shift away from all the sugar-free foods and diet sodas I consumed in my 20s and 30s and even in my 40s!
When I was younger, I didn’t think too much about how the food I was eating would impact my overall quality of life; I was in a mentality of the here and now. Losing my parents to cancer and hitting perimenopause was the jolt I needed to change how I was eating. I knew I wanted to live a long, healthy life and participate in my granddaughter’s life, so I needed to create healthy eating habits that would be sustainable for the long term. Instead of just eating to consume food that tasted good, I started paying attention to how I felt after I ate the food. Did it make me bloated? Did I have the energy, or did I feel like I needed a nap? It was so eye-opening. Even foods that are “healthy” can sometimes not be the best for us. We are all so different.
What does a balanced diet look like for me today?
I once believed that a balanced diet was everything in moderation, but as we get older, things change tremendously. Following the 80-20 rule isn’t sufficient anymore – eating 80 percent whole foods and 20 percent anything else. I have since adjusted that to the 90-10 ratio.
As we hit midlife, eating really well during the week and then going all out over the weekend with indulgences doesn’t work anymore! Today I am primarily alcohol-free thanks to everything I learned from my friend, Jen (sober sis). I also incorporate intermittent fasting into my daily routine and choose three nutrient-dense meals instead of snacking in the 8-hour eating window. I focus on eating whole foods and getting in all the macros (proteins, carbs, and fat) so I have the energy to keep up with my granddaughter!
For far too long, we’ve been told we should eliminate a particular food group to have a healthy diet, but that is the last thing we should be doing! This could hurt our hormones more than help us. It’s about taking in the right foods – whole foods, real foods. If you’re unsure if something is a whole food ask yourself, does it come from the ground or have a mother? If yes, it’s whole food!
