The Midlife Feast

What if the loudest voice at your meals isn’t hunger, but an overactive alarm telling you you’re doing it “wrong”? In this episode, I dig into the link between food guilt and relentless food noise, and show how midlife shifts, hormones, sleep, mood, and capacity can crank that alarm even higher. Instead of doubling down on rules, I'll walk you through the 3-step process that replaces food morality with neutrality.Grab The Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoderEpisodes mentiond:Episode 172: https://themidlifefeast.buzzsprout.com/1851576/episodes/18238090Episode 151:https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851576/episodes/17038620What did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

Sometimes the routines that feel the hardest to change are the ones that once helped us cope. In this episode, therapist and eating-disorder specialist Signe Darpinian breaks down how those patterns get wired into the brain, why diet culture reinforces them, and how midlife is actually an ideal time to reshape habits with clarity and compassion.We dig into what it really takes to unwind the patterns that feel automatic, especially the ones that show up at the end of a long day or week. You’ll hear how small, well-timed shifts can loosen the grip of old routines and create space for choices that actually feel good.We also explore simple tools for calming the mental swirl that fuels cravings and second-guessing, along with a gentler approach to movement and nourishment that supports energy, mood, and a steadier sense of self. It’s all about building habits that fit your real life, not forcing yourself into rigid rules.If you’re stepping away from dieting and looking for routines that feel kinder, more sustainable, and more you, this conversation offers encouragement, clarity, and a practical path forward.Connect with Signe DarpinianGrab the Book:  A Woman's Guide to Menopause, Body Image, and Emotional Well-being at MidlifeInstagram: @therapyrockspodcastWebsite: www.signedarpinian.comLike what you learned? Check out these other episodes!Finding Your Movement Rhythm with ADHD & Perimenopause with Christine ChessmanHow to Cancel Your Clean Plate Club Membership with Emily Sucher, RDHow to Stop the Cycle of “Starting Over” Every Monday3 Reasons Why Intuitive Eating Might Feel Hard with Abbie AttwoodWhat did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!Ditch the food guilt for a more peaceful (and nourishing!) relationship with food.  Grab my free Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoder📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

What if the fear of “looking older” isn’t really about wrinkles at all, but about relevance, visibility, and power? I welcome registered dietitian and author Deb Benfield to dig into internalized ageism and the subtle ways culture teaches us to distrust our future selves. We walk about how it gets tangled up with diet culture, wellness trends, and perfectionism. Together we unpack why compliments like “you haven’t aged a bit” keep youth on a pedestal, how patriarchy and ableism shape appearance pressure, and what it takes to build a truly age-affirming life. We talk about:Defining internalized ageism and why it starts earlySeparating facts of aging from fear-based storiesNaming patriarchy, sexism and ableism in appearance pressureHow wellness trends can trigger relapse and obsessionAutonomy vs pressure in skincare, movement and foodHer book's framework for untangling systems and mending body trustPractical steps to notice, name and unlearn ageist thoughtsChoosing freedom and values over perfectionLearn more about Deb's work:https://www.debrabenfield.comOrder Unapologetic Aging: https://www.debrabenfield.com/bookIf you've loved today's conversation and found it helpful, please share it with a friend who needs to hear this and leave a review wherever you listen to podcastsIf you're ready to take the next step towards thriving in midlife, head to menopause nutritionist.ca to learn more about my one-to-one and group coaching programs, free resources, and where to get your copy of Eat to Thrive during menopauseWhat did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!Ditch the food guilt for a more peaceful (and nourishing!) relationship with food.  Grab my free Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoder📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

I'm answering three questions this week: how to get soy’s benefits if it bothers your gut, what really shifts in metabolism during menopause, and how to quiet food noise. We'll cover:• Non-soy protein swaps from beans, lentils and pulses• Flax lignans as a phytoestrogen alternative• Metabolism as a system of gears, not a dial• Hormones’ indirect impact through symptoms and routines• Defining food noise and why it returns after GLP-1s• Permission-based eating to rebuild trust and satisfactionEpisodes mentioned:#151 - Is it Hunger, Hormones or Food Noise?#155 - Q&A: Food Tracking, Plant Proteins & Collagen Supplements#127 - The Truth About Soy in Midlife#84 - On The Menu - Part 1 Your Menopause Nutrition Questions #87- On The Menu - Part 2 Your Menopause Nutrition Questions #90 - On The Menu - Part 3 Your Menopause Nutrition QuestionsJoin the live book club Q&A: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/bookclubWhat did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

Join Dr. Shelby Harris, a behavioral sleep medicine psychologist and expert in women's sleep, as she unpacks the complexities of sleep during midlife. She shares why changing hormones create a 'perfect storm' for insomnia and discusses the common pitfalls of sleep hygiene. Debunking myths around needing eight hours, she offers practical strategies including CBT-I techniques for better sleep. Learn the role of hormone therapy and discover when to seek further help for sleep challenges.

We all want to simplify nutrition (and life!) but are we going down the wrong path when it comes to finding "one thing" for nutrition in menopause? Laura Clark RD and I  talk about how real progress in midlife comes from flexibility, self-trust, and simple, satisfying meals. We break down the hype around protein, fiber, and even the microbiome so food feels calmer, kinder, and more doable. In this episode you'll hear:• why chasing a single fix creates stress not change• how Laura’s practice shifted from weight-centric targets to nuance• protein without perfection and what steadies your morning• fiber and microbiome benefits without counting or 30-plant pressure• simple plate-building: protein, carbs you enjoy, and some crunch• escaping on-it off-it thinking and perfectionism loops• social comparison traps and giving yourself permission• redefining progress as small choices that stack• adding fun back into food and midlifeIf you're ready to take the next step towards thriving in midlife, head to www.menopausenutritionist.ca to learn more about my one-to-one and group coaching programs, free resources, and where to get your copy of Eat to Thrive during menopause.If you've loved today's conversation and found it helpful, please share it with a friend who needs to hear this and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts!You can learn more about Laura at https://www.lecnutrition.co.uk/ and on Instagram at @menopause.dietitian.What did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!Ditch the food guilt for a more peaceful (and nourishing!) relationship with food.  Grab my free Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoder📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

If your closet feels like a battlefield and getting dressed has turned into a daily reminder that your body isn’t the same as it used to be, you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m joined by personal stylist Jacquelyn Prattipati, who helps women in midlife rediscover confidence and comfort through clothes that fit the body (and the life) they have now.We’re talking about what “feeling put together” really means, why style has nothing to do with size, and how to stop waiting for a smaller body to wear what you love. You’ll walk away with practical tips for finding clothes that fit today’s body, letting go of the “someday jeans,” and remembering that your body isn’t the problem, your clothes just need to catch up.Want to learn more about body image in midlife?🎙Episode 109 - The Body Acceptance Mistake That's Keeping you Stuck in The SuckLearn more about Jacquelyn at www.jgpstyledme.com and on Instagram at @jgpstyledmeWhat did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!Ditch the food guilt for a more peaceful (and nourishing!) relationship with food.  Grab my free Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoder📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

Menopause can scramble your mood, planning, memory, and appetite cues, especially if you’re living with ADHD.  My guest this week is Diana Reid, RD and we dive into how shifting estrogen affects dopamine in the brain and why that can make meal planning feel impossible, grocery stores overwhelming, and evenings vulnerable to emotional hunger and snacking. Together, we map the hidden steps that turn “what’s for dinner?” into a 30-step project and show how to lower the cognitive load and decision fatigue. Think forecasts instead of rigid schedules, two to three-day meal windows, and a “nutrition capsule wardrobe” you can refresh monthly for novelty. We also get real about dopamine seeking, emotional hunger, and the link between ADHD and binge patterns. The antidote isn’t restriction, it’s regulation and pleasure. Learn how to prevent primal hunger with predictable protein and fiber, add texture and heat for sensory satisfaction, and plan pleasure on purpose! If this conversation helps you feel seen, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more midlife listeners can find food freedom and confidence. Learn more about Diana at www.theglobaldietitian.com and on Instagram at theglobalrd.Like what you learned? Check out these other episodes!Story Session: Navigating ADHD in Midlife & MenopauseFinding Your Movement Rhythm with ADHD & Perimenopause with Christine ChessmanListen to Episode 167 - Part 1 of ADHD and Midlife with Dr Jen Wolkin.What did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!Ditch the food guilt for a more peaceful (and nourishing!) relationship with food.  Grab my free Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoder📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

Midlife brain fog and overwhelm aren’t signs of falling apart. It’s really just your biology getting louder. Dr. Jen Wolkin, a Harvard-trained neuropsychologist, explains how perimenopause can reveal ADHD that’s been there all along and why compassion, not willpower, brings clarity.We unpack how estrogen shifts dopamine and norepinephrine, why hormone swings magnify time blindness and emotional reactivity, and how perfectionism and people-pleasing crumble under midlife’s mental load.You’ll walk away with simple tools for clearer focus and steadier mood, including protein-forward meals, grazing stations to beat decision fatigue, and scripts for asking for help. This episode is science, validation, and relief all in one.Connect with Dr. JenInstagram: @adhd_with_drjen, @drjenwolkinLike what you learned? Check out these other episodes!Story Session: Navigating ADHD in Midlife & MenopauseFinding Your Movement Rhythm with ADHD & Perimenopause with Christine ChessmanWhat did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!Ditch the food guilt for a more peaceful (and nourishing!) relationship with food.  Grab my free Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoder📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist

The words “diet and exercise” often feel like a trap door into diet culture and the diet mentality. Given that the theme for this year's World Menopause Day is lifestyle medicine, I wanted to explore lifestyle medicine through a behavior-first lens and share compassionate, doable choices that actually fit your life. Starting with real stories—a cholesterol scare that triggered a Google spiral and a breast cancer survivor who felt she “failed” exercise—we'll explore why language carries weight and how reframing goals can lift the pressure without losing the science. I reframe lifestyle medicine as behavior change medicine and share practical ways to support menopause with flexible food patterns, mindful eating for satisfaction, and low-capacity day forecasting. We'll cover:• Why words matter• Behavior change  vs chasing an outcome• Redefining healthy eating • A plant-forward and fiber focused approach• Persistence vs consistency as a food strategy• Mindful eating to boost satisfaction and awareness• Forecasting meals to reduce decision fatigue• Capsule menus and targeting tough meal times• Personalization over perfection in menopause care• Community resources and ongoing supportHead to menopause nutritionist.ca to learn more about my one-to-one and group coaching programs, free resources, and where to get your copy of Eat to Thrive during menopause.Please share this episode with a friend who needs to hear this and a review wherever you listen to podcasts is always appreciated!What did you think of this episode? Click here and let me know!Ditch the food guilt for a more peaceful (and nourishing!) relationship with food.  Grab my free Food Guilt Decoder here: https://www.menopausenutritionist.ca/FoodGuiltDecoder📚 I wrote a book! Eat To Thrive During Menopause is out now! Order your copy today and start thriving in midlife. Looking for more about midlife, menopause nutrition, and intuitive eating? Click here to grab one of my free guides and learn what I've got "on the menu" including my 1:1 and group programs. https://www.easy.link/menopause.nutritionist