The Midlife Feast

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/themidlifefeastcommunity

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 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-devices
• US 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, ND

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

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 Eltahawy
Episode #44: What Women in Perimenopause Need to Know About Iron Deficiency with MaryAnn Jacobsen

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

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 Mentioned

Did 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 Period

Episode 78: Filtering the Fear of Insulin Resistance in Menopause with Val Schonberg, RD

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 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

While you probably know that pelvic floor therapy can help if you struggle with leaking or postpartum challenges, as you'll discover in this conversation, your pelvis has a much bigger impact on your overall well-being, especially in midlife. 

I know because I had the privilege of being treated by my guest today, Erika Burger. She is a highly regarded Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.  I went in seeking help for pain with ovulation when I was in perimenopause and left with an understanding of how complex pelvic pain could be.

There are so many painful and inconvenient conditions that can show up in midlife, but many of them are easily treated with the right therapist. So join me in this conversation and learn why I believe pelvic floor therapists are the unsung heroes of midlife!

To learn more about Erika and her work, check out her website at www.thepelvichealthclinic.ca, or follow her on Instagram at @thepelvichealth.clinic or on Facebook at @thepelvichealthclinicbyerika

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 second 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 can I keep eating healthy during the mood swings that happen in perimenopause and menopause?
2️⃣ What are some ways to stop using food as a numbing or coping mechanism?
3️⃣ How can I discover the freedom to eat freely, without feeling guilty?

Did you miss Part 1? Find it HERE!

Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss these bonus episodes we're preparing for you! 

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

Ever found yourself locked in the diet mentality, labeling food as 'good' or 'bad', and feeling the pressure to achieve perfection with every bite? You're not alone!

In this episode, I've invited a fellow certified intuitive eating counselor, Alana Van Der Sluys to help us unpack the insidious role of perfectionism in our eating habits and diet culture. Together, we share personal anecdotes, discuss the pitfalls of the all-or-nothing mindset, the stress of external validation, and shed light on the damaging impact perfectionism has on our overall well-being.

We also give you a sneak peek into Alana's upcoming book, "Freedom with Food and Fitness," a guide to letting go of perfectionism and embracing authenticity. Listen in for a potent mix of candid experiences, expert advice, and practical tips.

To learn more about Alana and her work, connect with her on her website at www.freedomwithfoodandfitness.com , or follow her on Instagram @freedomwithfoodandfitness.

Grab the FREE book:  3 EASY Ways to Boost Health With Intuitive Eating
Get $250 in bonus gifts if you preorder Freedom with Food and Fitness before November 14- on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

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 episode, weight-inclusive endocrinologist, Dr. Gregory Dodell joins me as we continue the conversation we’ve started on the podcast (with Val Schonberg and Danielle Bubblitz) about managing diabetes in midlife

Dr. Dodell emphasizes that diabetes doesn't discriminate based on body size. He advocates for a personalized, intuitive approach to eating, highlighting the importance of listening to your body. We highlight the fact that diabetes can bring emotional challenges, including stigma around medication and feeling like you've failed if diet and exercise alone don't cut it. 

So, if you or someone you know is dealing with diabetes, regardless of body size, this episode offers a reassuring and hopeful perspective. You're not alone in this journey!

To learn more about Dr. Dodell and his work, visit him at www.centralparkendocrinology.com and follow him on Instagram @everything_endocrine

Links Mentioned:
Episode 33: How to Ask Your Doctor for Healthcare Instead of Weight-Care with Dr. Maggie Landes
Episode 78: Filtering the Fear of Insulin Resistance with Val Schonberg
Episode 79: Finding Food Freedom with Danielle Bublitz

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 first 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 can I make myself only eat as much food as my body actually needs and not one calorie more?
2️⃣ What are easy add-ins to meals to boost nutrition?
3️⃣ How do I get help understanding what needs to change in my diet when my doctor doesn’t take me seriously? 

Make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss these bonus episodes we’re preparing for you!  

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