The Midlife Feast

If you're ready to hop off the dieting rollercoaster, you might be starting to wonder what body acceptance really means for you. But here's the thing: a lot of folks mix up body acceptance with giving up, and it’s just not the case!So, in this quick solo episode, I'm going to offer you a crystal clear definition of what body acceptance is, and what it isn't. The big takeaway? You don't have to stay feeling stuck in the “suck”- as I call it. You can have freedom in your relationship with food and your body AND feel like you’re moving your health in the right direction. I'll share how to kickstart that journey with you in this episode!Sign up for the FREE webinar  >>HERE<<Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Building and maintaining new movement habits can feel daunting, especially if you don’t enjoy moving as much as you did in the past, or are learning to navigate changes to your physical abilities in midlife. But as my guest and I both agree, fitness culture has way overcomplicated what counts as success when it comes to fitness goals.In this episode, personal trainer and nutrition coach, Michael Ulloa joins me to share his inclusive (and refreshing) perspective on fitness.  We peel back the layers of industry myths, especially those that relate to us in midlife and menopause, and reveal just how achievable and personal fitness can be. We have a great chat about the overwhelming mess of health and fitness messaging. If you’re ready to normalize making intuitive and informed decisions that prioritize body autonomy, join us! We’ll also discover what Michael type of movement packs the biggest punch for your mind and body, even if you only have eight minutes a day! To learn more about Michael and the work he does, be sure to check out his website at www.michaelulloa.com or follow him on IG @michaelulloapt.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

The body acceptance and un-dieting journey is not for the faint of heart. It’s why so many people tell me they will be ready to work with me after they try this “last diet” one more time. Body image work tends to bring up more questions than answers and it takes a lot of courage to sit in all of the emotions that come with the questions. To help us unpack the many layers of this conversation, I’ve invited nutritionist and body image coach, Steph Dodier to help us understand why our brains naturally associate being thin with being safe, why others feel threatened by people who feel at home in their larger bodies, and how to see your body as a vehicle to experience your life instead of a sign of your worth. Steph will guide us through what it takes to rewire our brains on this topic and why the experience of being rejected can empower us to learn the strength of resilience and trusting ourselves. To learn more about Steph and the work she does, be sure to check out her website and podcast at www.stephaniedodier.com and follow her on IG @stephdodier and Facebook @/StephanieDodiernutrition.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

In my work supporting women in midlife and menopause, there are some regular and recurring themes to the questions I get. Whether it’s a client, someone in the community, or DMs, they  typically go like this:“I don’t understand what’s wrong with me.” or “There must be something I’m missing.” I always reassure them by saying, “I can’t tell you how common that is.” Why is it so common? If you’re over 40, you can thank the 1980s for many of the beliefs you have about food, nutrition, and health. Having grown up in the days before the internet, we didn’t have the luxury of choosing what information we consumed. We were all fed the same messages as the pool of mainstream media was much smaller and less diverse.In this episode, I’m going to share three beliefs that diet culture fed you and why they are likely overcomplicating your relationship with food and your body. Then I’ll give you three questions you can ask yourself if you’re ready to start un-dieting these beliefs and find a more peaceful relationship with food and your body.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

When we begin to heal from all the damage diet culture has had on our growth and development, it can feel very urgent to get it “right” for our kids and learn how to keep diet culture out of our homes. While this deserves to be a top priority, it requires a lot of grace.In this episode, nutritionist and fitness coach, Tracey Harper helps us understand why rewriting the narrative for the next generation demands that we continue healing in our relationships with food and our bodies. She will help us frame up conversations that invite young people to get curious about how they relate to their bodies, as well as how to help kids reflect on the impact that the media has on their mental health. If you worry about the damage that’s already been done, I invite you to join us. This episode will remind you that a growth mindset is key to helping young people embrace body diversity and food neutrality. To learn more about Tracey and the work she does, check out her website at www.harperhealthandwellness.com, and www.carlycrawfordfyvc.com and follow her on IG at @harperhealthandwellness.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

In this special story session, Christina Testut—a kindergarten teacher and champion of body acceptance—joins us this week on The Midlife Feast to share her inspiring un-dieting journey and the lessons that quarantine taught her about embracing body diversity. She shares why her weight-loss “success story”  became unsustainable, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As a mother and educator, she recognized the urgent need to redefine beauty standards for impressionable young people and took a powerful stand by transforming her epiphany into a children's book celebrating all body shapes and sizes.You can grab the book Embrace Your Features, learn more about Christina and her work on her website, www.christinarunstheworld.com, and follow her on IG @christina_runstheworld or Facebook @christina.testut.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Tight pants. Bloating. IBS. Food sensitivities. If you’re one of the many people who have experienced gastrointestinal discomfort in midlife, you know how complex this issue is. Dr. Kim Bretz ND is joining me to answer some of the most frequently asked gut health questions. She will help us understand that there’s a fair amount of confusion about our gut because we’re navigating both physical symptoms and perceptions all at once. We’ll dive into FODMAPs, why digestive diversity is so important, and why self-directed diets not only add discomfort but actually put us at risk if we don’t know when and how to reintroduce foods. We’ll also touch on why trying to self-diagnose gut health problems can be an unexpected path to disordered eating patterns. To learn more about Kim and the work she does, check out her website at www.drkimbretznd.com and follow her on IG @ drkimbretznd or on Facebook @FundamentalsOfHealth.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Diet and wellness culture do a fantastic job “shoulding” all over us, especially when it comes to the habits we put into place. This pressure does not mix well with our already strained capacity in midlife, making it necessary to ask ourselves if the habits we keep are serving us anymore. That’s why I’ve invited health coach and behavior change expert Heather Sayers Lehman to help us dive into this work. Habits can be powerful tools, but they should be a reflection of how attuned we are to our own needs and preferences-not diet culture rules. We’ll unpack why we need to focus less on willpower and more on self-compassion. You’ll be so refreshed by the way Heather helps us approach habit change in a way that actually feels aligned and makes the ROI easy to recognize! To learn more about Heather and her work, connect with her on her website at  heathersayerslehman.com or follow her on IG @heathersayerslehman. Also, be sure to tune into her podcast The Air We Breathe. Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Celebrate with me as we toast to the 100th episode of the Midlife Feast! As you know, on every episode of the podcast, I ask my guests what they think the missing ingredient in midlife is. After revisiting the answers in 100 episodes, I want to share with you the top five insights that have reshaped our understanding of midlife and menopause. As we clink glasses to this journey, I’m celebrating all the incredible guests who have come to share their wisdom and experience, collectively reminding us this is not our mother’s menopause. No one has to navigate this season alone anymore. What’s more, is that we’ve discovered that with the right information, resources, and a trusted community, we have the chance to thrive in this season, not just survive. But most of all, I am celebrating the fact that you, the listeners have made this such a special community. Thank you for being such loyal listeners, for your regular feedback, and for sharing the show with more of your friends in midlife. Looking forward, I invite you to continue feasting on all that midlife has in store with more episodes full of vulnerable and empowering discussions!🎉🎉🎉 Celebrate and SAVE 10% on an annual membership in the Midlife Feast Community using the code MISSINGINGREDIENT at checkout here ⬇️ https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/themidlifefeastcommunityLooking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

In addition to the emotional and physical changes that can come with midlife, have you ever felt discouraged when you realized that your relationship with your spouse or partner was having its own midlife crisis?If so, you’re not alone, but you don’t have to stay stuck. Since we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this week, I thought it would be the perfect time to invite relationship expert Carrie Cohen on the show to talk about why feeling disconnected in relationships and marriage in midlife can happen without us even noticing. She will let us in on why midlife is another transition for our relationship that will need plenty of communication and negotiation until both partners land in a sweet spot. Best of all, Carrie shares some incredibly practical and powerful tools you can implement in your relationship to get the spark and connection back on the menu again! To learn more about Carrie and her work, check out her website at www.carriecohencoaching.com and follow her on IG @CarrieCohenCoaching. Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

If you have recently been told that you have high blood pressure, (perhaps for the first time ever) there are a couple of things you should know. First, this is not your fault! Second, don’t panic - because Dr. Alex Verge ND is back to help us understand why you’re not alone when it comes to understanding why blood pressure (among so many other things) changes in midlife.Your blood pressure might even improve as you listen to this episode and hear all of the great suggestions Dr. Alex shares with us to help you feel prepared for your next checkup. We talk about why Dr. Alex advocates for measuring your BP at home, how estrogen contributes to the equation, and what secondary factors to consider if you feel like you’re already doing all the right things.If you learned something new on this episode, be sure to share it with another friend in this season as a way to celebrate heart health this month! To learn more about Dr. Alex and her work, check out her website at www.kuraclinic.ca and follow her on Instagram at alexvergend.Links Mentioned: Hypertension Canada’s List of Recommended Devices - https://hypertension.ca/public/recommended-devicesUS Blood Pressure Validated Device Listing - https://www.validatebp.org/Stride BP (Joint Initiative with European Society of Hypertension) Validated Blood Pressure Monitors - https://www.stridebp.org/bp-monitors/Episode 39: What Every Woman Needs to Know About Heart Health, Cholesterol, and Menopause with Dr. Alex Verge, NDLooking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Today we’re tackling a topic we haven’t yet devoted an entire episode to but certainly deserves one!  I’ve invited Nutrition & Body Relationship Coach, Deb Benfield to help us explore the subtle but profound impact of ageism on body image in midlife. We cover so much in this one conversation including aging body liberation, what it means to carry internalized ageism, and how that intersects with disordered eating during midlife. The episode emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, acknowledging losses, and practicing body acceptance. Deb and I get to express our excitement about this life stage, challenge societal norms, and promote a positive and fresh perspective on aging.  To learn more about Deb and her work, be sure to check out her website at www.debrabenfield.com and follow her on IG @agingbodyliberation.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

One of the biggest challenges of midlife is the fact that so many of us feel flat-out exhausted, even after 8 hours of sleep!  That’s why I invited the Fatigue Fixer, Dr. Sarah Vadeboncoeur, ND to help us understand why this chronic exhaustion is so common but also more complex than just having low iron levels. Sarah will share the four areas you need to explore to discover what's zapping your energy these days. We’ll also dive into why ”meno-rage” could actually be a gift and why we need to allocate more time each day to meet our own needs for nutrition, movement, rest, and pleasure. To learn more about Sarah and her work, connect with her on her website at www.drsarahv.ca, follow her on Instagram @sarahvadeboncoeur and listen to her podcast The Fatigue Fixer.Links Mentioned: Episode #26 Understanding Cultural Menorage with Mona EltahawyEpisode #44: What Women in Perimenopause Need to Know About Iron Deficiency with MaryAnn JacobsenLooking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Everyone comes from somewhere. It’s a simple, perhaps obvious statement, but one that is more relevant than we might realize. In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist, speaker, and author, Dr. Jody Carrington. Jody believes that finding the courage and the safe places to tell our stories is what we need most as we navigate a distracted and disconnected world.While I haven’t known Jody for long, we quickly connected over the bathing suit story she shared on her podcast (what she calls the connector of all stories). I hope that by sharing some of these relatable battles with body image, you’ll realize you’re not alone. Jody will also talk about two of the biggest tools for recovery in moments like these: gratitude and agency. You have a story too, and it needs to be told. Join us if you are craving friendships where we can trade in comparison for the confidence to finally take up space.To learn more about Jody and her work, connect with her on her website at www. drjodycarrington.com, or follow her on Instagram @drjodycarrington. Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

If the pressure from wellness culture leaves you feeling fearful and anxious because of its unattainable standards, it's probably safe to say that it's not truly promoting well-being. And if you've invested time, money, or energy in the myths and promises of wellness culture, you probably haven't seen much ROI on those either. In this episode, I’m kicking off 2024 with a guest who needs little introduction-Registered Dietitian and author of The Wellness Trap, Christy Harrison. We are taking a deep dive into why clean eating became so trendy (and dangerous), why we are drawn to the fear-based messaging of wellness culture, as well as why it’s so irrelevant to such a large population of the world. If you’ve been craving an approach to food and body image that is more gentle, nuanced and includes priorities like mental health, community, and the understanding of socioeconomic influences on health disparities, you won’t want to miss this episode!To learn more about Christy, check out her website at https://christyharrison.com/ or follow her on Instagram @chr1styharrison or join her free membership: https://rethinkingwellness.substack.com/Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

As we bid farewell to 2023, I’d like to help you redirect the panic and pressure of New Year’s resolutions that may feel like they are waiting around the corner for you. I’m popping in to offer you some super practical tips for a healthier and more peaceful connection with food and your body, especially this time of year. I challenge you to give me sixteen minutes to help you see how the peace you crave is absolutely within reach. I’ll share five tips that can help you make confident food decisions, that leave room for the freedom and flexibility you need to thrive in this season. Wishing you a joyous holiday season, and here's to embracing a more empowered midlife in 2024! Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

You know the overwhelming and even sometimes paralyzing feelings you battle when you catch a glimpse of yourself in the mirror or a photo? It’s when the image we see in front of us doesn’t match the image in our brain. That’s body grief. In this episode, I’ve invited Registered Dietitian, Amanda Mittman to tackle this subject with me. We’re calling out why body grief has so many layers you might not be aware of, and why it becomes even more complex when the curve balls of perimenopause and aging are added to the mix. While there is a lot to process, you’ll be encouraged to know that you don’t have to stay stuck here either. Amanda shares some incredibly practical strategies for how to move through the pain and into body acceptance, reminding us why it’s just the opposite of just “giving up”. To learn more about Amanda and the work she does, check out her website at www.happyvalleynutrition.com or follow her on Instagram at @BitchinbodyimageRD. Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Do you ever have days where you start out eating fat-free for breakfast, go vegan for lunch, and end up eating keto for dinner? Food rules are so appealing and yet so confusing. The problem is that there’s no “best” diet and they all have the same predictable result.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Sylvi Martin who will help us expose why so many elements of wellness culture are getting in the way of your ability to thrive and have a normal relationship with food. We’ll also talk about why where you get your information matters as well as why you need to focus on adding foods to your plate instead of trying to keep them off the menu. To learn more about Dr. Sylvi and her work, check out her website at www.drsylvimartin.com or follow her on Instagram at @dr.sylvimartin.nd or on Facebook at @drsylvimartin.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

Welcome to the third of a series of bonus episodes of The Midlife Feast, where we're flipping the script! Today, I’m in the hot seat and my podcast manager, Dee-Anna (who just turned 40) will be asking some of the questions asked by those of you in this community!I had an overwhelming response of fabulous questions, so we are serving the answers to you in a series of bite-sized episodes designed to satisfy your curiosity about diving into gentle nutrition and un-dieting in midlife!Today we’re tackling:1️⃣ How do we combat the damage of low-carb and carb-phobia nonsense that's been done by diet and wellness culture? 2️⃣ With all the "experts" out there, how do I know that your advice is the right one? Who has the right advice?3️⃣ HRT is being pushed at every angle! Can you get through perimenopause and menopause without it or is it really the only way to prevent all the worst case health conditions? Links MentionedDid you miss Part 1 and 2 ? Find it HERE and HERE!Episode 56:  8 Things I Wish I'd Known About Perimenopause Before My Last PeriodEpisode 78: Filtering the Fear of Insulin Resistance in Menopause with Val Schonberg, RDLooking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links

In this episode, I  invite you to listen as I sit down with Midlife Feast Community member, Laura, a veteran dieter who's now embracing life as an intuitive eater. Laura generously shares her 40-year dieting journey, beginning at age 11, and why it’s so easy to buy into the lie that if you’re not seeing results on a diet, well, you simply aren’t trying hard enough. We debunk common myths like equating intuitive eating with “giving up” and explaining how it can truly nourish your soul and heart. Laura opens up about her previous restrictive eating habits, and how she now seeks balanced meals that satisfy more than just the palate. We discuss the liberating feeling of giving yourself permission to enjoy food, and how even dining out and treats can fit into a healthy relationship with food.Looking for a place to learn more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free resources and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/links