As we journey through midlife, many of us find that the foods we once enjoyed no longer agree with our body. You might experience digestive discomfort, energy slumps, or even skin issues after eating meals that used to be staples in your diet. It can be frustrating and confusing, leading to questions like, "What should I eat now?" If you're in this boat, you're not alone. Many women in their midlife years face similar challenges, often due to shifting hormonal balances and changing metabolic needs. But don't worry—there are ways to navigate these changes without feeling restricted.
In this post, we'll explore food sensitivities and how to maintain blood sugar stability, offering you gentle, beginner-friendly tips to help you feel better.
Actionable, Beginner-Friendly Tips
Identify Potential Food Sensitivities
Food sensitivities can develop or intensify as we age. Common culprits include dairy, wheat or gluten, and certain additives. Start by keeping a food journal. Note what you eat and any symptoms you experience afterward. Look for patterns over a few weeks. This isn't about restriction but about awareness and understanding how your body reacts to different foods. You can download my Free Wellness Tracker here
Food sensitivities can develop or intensify as we age. Common culprits include dairy, wheat or gluten, and certain additives. Start by keeping a food journal. Note what you eat and any symptoms you experience afterward. Look for patterns over a few weeks. This isn't about restriction but about awareness and understanding how your body reacts to different foods. You can download my Free Wellness Tracker here
Introduce Variety into Your Diet
Sometimes, our body gets tired of the same foods. Introducing a variety of nutrient-rich foods can not only help you identify what works best for you but also ensure you're getting a broad range of nutrients. Try incorporating different vegetables, whole grains, and proteins into your meals. For instance, if you usually eat wheat pasta, try quinoa, lentil or maize pasta.
Sometimes, our body gets tired of the same foods. Introducing a variety of nutrient-rich foods can not only help you identify what works best for you but also ensure you're getting a broad range of nutrients. Try incorporating different vegetables, whole grains, and proteins into your meals. For instance, if you usually eat wheat pasta, try quinoa, lentil or maize pasta.
Focus on Blood Sugar Stability
Fluctuations in blood sugar can exacerbate feelings of fatigue and digestive discomfort. To maintain stable blood sugar levels, try to eat balanced meals that include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. For example, instead of a bowl of cereal for breakfast, opt for oatmeal with nuts and berries, or eggs with avocado and Gluten Free toast.
Fluctuations in blood sugar can exacerbate feelings of fatigue and digestive discomfort. To maintain stable blood sugar levels, try to eat balanced meals that include protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. For example, instead of a bowl of cereal for breakfast, opt for oatmeal with nuts and berries, or eggs with avocado and Gluten Free toast.
Incorporate Gentle Digestive Aids
Some foods and herbs can aid digestion without causing restriction. Ginger, for instance, has long been used to soothe the stomach. Try adding fresh ginger to your meals or sipping on ginger tea. Probiotics, found in fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, can also support a healthy gut. However, if these are not tolerated you may need a further look into how to improve the efficiency of your digestion.
Some foods and herbs can aid digestion without causing restriction. Ginger, for instance, has long been used to soothe the stomach. Try adding fresh ginger to your meals or sipping on ginger tea. Probiotics, found in fermented foods like yogurt and kimchi, can also support a healthy gut. However, if these are not tolerated you may need a further look into how to improve the efficiency of your digestion.
Mindful Eating
Eating mindfully can make a big difference. Take time to chew your food thoroughly and enjoy each bite. This not only enhances digestion but can also help you recognise fullness cues, reducing the likelihood of overeating, which can strain your digestive system. Also, research shows there are links between oral health and a range of illnesses from dementia and cognitive issues to digestive and metabolic diseases.
Eating mindfully can make a big difference. Take time to chew your food thoroughly and enjoy each bite. This not only enhances digestion but can also help you recognise fullness cues, reducing the likelihood of overeating, which can strain your digestive system. Also, research shows there are links between oral health and a range of illnesses from dementia and cognitive issues to digestive and metabolic diseases.
Hydration is Key
Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and can help with digestion. Aim for at least 2 litres of water a day. If plain water is boring, try infusing it with slices of lemon, cucumber, or mint for a refreshing twist.
Staying hydrated is essential for overall health and can help with digestion. Aim for at least 2 litres of water a day. If plain water is boring, try infusing it with slices of lemon, cucumber, or mint for a refreshing twist.
Consider a Gradual Approach
If you're thinking about eliminating certain foods, do it gradually. Suddenly cutting out a major food group can be stressful and may lead to nutrient deficiencies. Instead, slowly reduce the intake of the food in question while monitoring how you feel. This approach is less about restriction and more about finding what works best for you.
If you're thinking about eliminating certain foods, do it gradually. Suddenly cutting out a major food group can be stressful and may lead to nutrient deficiencies. Instead, slowly reduce the intake of the food in question while monitoring how you feel. This approach is less about restriction and more about finding what works best for you.
Seek Professional Guidance
If you're unsure about what might be causing your symptoms, consider consulting a kinesiologist with nutrition experience or a healthcare provider. They can offer personalised advice and can suggest tests to pinpoint any food sensitivities you might have.
If you're unsure about what might be causing your symptoms, consider consulting a kinesiologist with nutrition experience or a healthcare provider. They can offer personalised advice and can suggest tests to pinpoint any food sensitivities you might have.
Conclusion:
Navigating food sensitivities and maintaining blood sugar stability doesn't have to be daunting. With these gentle, beginner-friendly tips, you can start making changes that support your wellbeing without feeling restricted. Remember, the goal is to feel better, not to limit yourself. Every body is different, and what works for one person might not work for another. So, take your time, listen to your body, and celebrate the small victories along the way.
If you're still feeling overwhelmed or unsure about where to start, why not take the next step? I offer a free wellness consult call where we can discuss your unique challenges and tailor a plan that's just right for you.
By approaching food sensitivities and blood sugar stability with curiosity and kindness, you can transform your relationship with food and feel more vibrant during this beautiful stage of life. Here's to your health and happiness.
āØ Ready to Tune In to What Your Body’s Really Telling You? āØ
There’s a way to feel better—and it starts with clarity.
There’s a way to feel better—and it starts with clarity.
š» Track What Matters – Grab your free Wellness Tracker to start uncovering patterns.
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š» Ready to Go Deeper? – My wellness programmes guide you through hormone, energy, and gut support—without the overwhelm. You can Find Your Balance here.
š» Get a Personalised Review – Book your Serenity Health Review—a deep dive into your health story with tailored recommendations.
š» Ready to Go Deeper? – My wellness programmes guide you through hormone, energy, and gut support—without the overwhelm. You can Find Your Balance here.
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