Eating what you feel like, vs what you need
As we move through midlife, one of the biggest mindset shifts we can make is recognising that our bodies have changed, and so must the way we care for them.
Its a fact that we absorb fewer nutrients from food as we age.
Yet, ironically, we need more to:
Protect against muscle loss
Support gut health
Offset inflammation
Recover from exercise
Keep our energy and hormones in balance
That’s not something we can ignore if we want to stay strong and well for the years ahead.
But here’s the challenge:
We live in a world that constantly encourages eating what we feel like rather than what we actually need.
Food is social. It’s comfort. It’s reward.
We justify it because we’re busy, stressed, and menopausal, and honestly, it feels good in the moment.
Add in the subtle pressure to fit in (“I don’t want to be awkward” … “I don’t want to spoil the fun”)
The fear of missing out.
The worry of extra work.
And suddenly, nourishing ourselves properly feels like a lot of hard work, not a basic act of self-care.
The Mindset Shift
This month my clients and I are focusing on mental strength, and that includes having the courage to acknowledge what our bodies truly need.
This isn’t about restriction or perfection.
It’s about curiosity.
It’s about asking, “What would happen if I nudged my nutrition just 10% better?”
If right now, 70% of your calories come from nutritious foods and 30% from the “extras” (white carbs, sugar, wine, processed foods)…
What would 80:20 look like for you?
Could you make one meal a little more colourful?
Could you swap a snack for something with more protein or fibre?
It’s not about all or nothing.
It’s about slow, steady shifts, the kind that last.
The Coaching Difference
When you’re doing this on your own, it’s easy to fall into guilt, confusion or that “why bother?” mindset.
But with coaching, something powerful happens.
You get guidance, education, and gentle accountability, the kind that keeps you grounded, curious, and supported.
You’re surrounded by other women doing the same work, learning to tune into what their bodies need, and experimenting rather than criticising themselves.
That’s how real, lasting change happens.
Not through extremes, but through steady, supported progress.
My Own Reminder
Just last night, I spent nearly two hours cooking a pie my daughter texted me she wanted.
By the time it was done, I had no time left for me, so I grabbed some left-over smoked mackerel, squashed it between the last slice of bread, and called it dinner.
It made me think:
If I’d given myself that same two hours, what could I have done for my own body?
That’s the mindset I’m working on too, choosing to value my own nutrition and recovery as much as I value everyone else’s comfort.
Because the truth is, I feel like I need it.
I turned 54 a couple of weeks ago. I’m noticing more aches and pains, it takes me longer to recover from exercise, I’m getting more brain fog in the afternoons, and often need a nap to get through all my work.
I care about how I feel and I know there is scope for me to increase my nutrition too - but I want to do it in a low stress way, and that’s means doing it in a playful, experimental way.
Being open to trying new things, enjoying the creativity and letting myself just see if it makes a difference.
So this week, I invite you to play with the idea of nourishment.
Be curious. Try one small change.
Ask what might happen if you gave your body just a little more of what it truly needs.
That’s where thriving begins, not with restriction, but with awareness, kindness, and the support to keep going.
The support and accountability to make powerful shifts
If you’d love more support, structure, and accountability to make these shifts stick, that’s exactly what I’ll help you with if if we work together. You don’t have to do this alone.
Book a free 30 minute coaching call to go through your diet and get personalised recommendations from me for how you can nudge your nutrition in the right direction, while keeping things as easy and stress free as possible.