As we enter our 40s; it becomes more important to look at what we are consuming so we stay healthy and fit with an abundance of energy as we get older.
You may find that what worked for you in your 20s and 30s may not work in your 40s and beyond. Some women put on unwanted weight, develop allergies, or get unexplained aches and pains.
We have different nutritional needs at various stages in our lives and as we enter our 40s, we need more protein for our muscles and need to pay attention to our gut health. It’s also a good idea to prepare the body for an easier transition into perimenopause and menopause.
However, these days, with so much conflicting information coming at us, it can be confusing to know what’s right, and continually changing from one way of eating to another can do more harm than good.
It’s true that more of us are becoming more conscious about what we are consuming, but who do you trust when it comes to good nutritional advice that works for you?
In this article post, I’ll guide you through easy ways to Change your Diet for Healthy Living and what to be wary of on social media.
It’s useful to reflect on your diet
It is always a good idea to take time to look at what you are consuming. We can easily thwart good intentions and over time you may find your diet is not quite as healthy as you thought it was.
Ask yourself the following:
- Are you drinking enough water?
- Do you have enough fibre in your diet?
- Are you eating a variety of fruit and vegetables?
- Are you cooking everything from fresh?
- How many takeaways do you order each week?
- Are you consuming too many ready-made meals?
- Are you skipping meals?
- How much alcohol do you consume?
- How many teas and coffees do you drink in a day?
Writing down your answers can help, as it brings a conscious awareness to what you’re consuming. It’s important to be honest and write down everything. It may surprise you. From there, you can make changes, plan your meals and keep a food diary to ensure you stay on track.
Avoid social media’s fad diets
Many women ask me for my thoughts on a diet they have seen a celebrity or influencer promoting. It could be a fast, drinking celery juice, a raw diet, or going gluten or carb-free, and it worries me. If grown women are getting confused, then this could be a real problem for young girls and can create an unhealthy relationship with food. This could lead to many problems, including iron deficiencies. Young girls should NOT DIET! But that’s another subject.
What we have to remember is that some of these celebrities and influencers have a huge following, but not everything they post should be followed.
They are not trained nutritional therapists. And although they may work with one; they are following a diet that is right for them, not necessarily for you.
Also, we are only seeing a snapshot of their day, what they choose to show us. They may get a payback from promoting a certain product or lifestyle, like getting sponsored to talk about the latest supplement. And in worst-case scenarios, there could be no education at all behind their diet claims.
I would advise you to do your own research or see a qualified nutritional therapist. I don’t just work with people who have health issues, I also work with people who want to stay well and are looking for advice in helping change their diet for a healthier lifestyle.
It all starts with looking at your life
Being healthy isn’t just about what we eat and drink. It includes our environment, work, relationships, stress levels, exercise and social lives. All of this contributes to our overall health and are sometimes overlooked.
So when thinking about changing your health, start by making a list of everything you would like to change.
When I work with clients, I begin by giving them a Wheel of Life so they can look at all aspects and consider how happy they are with each area.
This is a great goal-setting tool as it helps to identify where you spend your time and how satisfied you are about the different parts and areas of your life. Its aim is to bring balance into your life.
This can be really useful to show how well your needs are being met. If your wheel is balanced towards work with little time for yourself, then your health could suffer.
Balance and ‘everything in moderation’ is at the core of everything I do.
When we take control of our lives, we are more likely to make better choices with food and exercise.
Cook everything from fresh
This is the starting point of all my nutritional advice and is the only way to control how much sugar and additives you consume.
It’s important to be mindful of added sugar in the food you buy.
Limit processed foods and ready-made meals as these have zero nutritional value.
Add diversity to your diet. Eat the rainbow on your plate. Aim to eat 30 different fruits and vegetables a week for a healthy gut.
Try a recipe box
There are so many choices available, Mindful Chef, Riverford, Hello Fresh are just some. If you are short on time or inspiration, then these boxes are a good idea as a lot of the work is done for you.
You choose the meals and you get the box delivered with the recipes, a step-by-step guide and the exact ingredients ready to cook. If you are not a confident cook, then it’s a great way to start.
All disease begins in the gut
Gut health is so important, and as we age we need extra help.
Eating a fresh variety of vegetables is key, and focus on superfoods that promote gut health. Incorporate fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and kefir. These have live probiotic strains that can replenish beneficial bacteria fast.
You may also benefit from a good probiotic.
It’s important to seek good sources of advice. If you feel your body is out of balance or you are getting allergies and food intolerances then see a nutritional therapist. They can create bespoke nutritional plans based on your needs, as we are all unique.
I hope you have found this blog post helpful. As you can see, with just a few simple changes to your life and diet you can improve your health and wellbeing.
If you need further advice on how to change your diet or would like to book a session with me then get in touch.