Evolving Toward Wholeness: How My Eating Habits Changed for Longevity

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!