3 Tips to Improve Your Diet in Midlife

Good nutrition is important no matter your age. But as you get older, proper nutrition becomes even more important to maintain your health and well-being. Here are three tips for those looking to improve their diet in midlife and beyond.

Little Changes Make a Big Difference

Taking on any new task can seem daunting, especially when your schedule is already full. And in midlife, our calendars and to-do lists are often overflowing. Because of this, making home-cooked meals, going to the gym or taking an honest look at our health can get put on the back burner.

Thankfully, you don’t have to make one huge lifestyle change to make a difference. Jennifer Gilliland, registered dietitian and professional clinical counselor with ProMedica, explains that incorporating small changes and sticking to them can help set you up for success.

Get started by identifying what it is you want to be able to do, and then begin making small changes to reach that goal. For example, if you want to be able to remain active, start with something like 10 minutes of daily stretching or yoga and build from there.

“The smaller you can start, the more long-term change you will see because you won’t burn out on what you’re trying to do,” Gilliland shares.

Pay Attention to Your Emotions

With midlife comes many changes. From differences in how your body looks or feels, to children moving out or taking on additional caregiving responsibilities for older parents – the changes can leave you feeling overwhelmed. 

Stress and anxiety can be huge contributors to not only your mental health but also your physical health – partly because of the foods you may choose to eat while stressed. “It’s important to pay attention to how your emotions are playing into your diet,” Gilliland explains.

Think about the foods that you gravitate towards when you feel stressed or anxious. Are they impacting your health for the worse or the better?

Find a Support System

Being surrounded by people who will cheer you on and help you up when you stumble is so important when you’re trying to take steps to improve your health and well-being.

“It’s important to have a team of people you can call on when you’re struggling. Whether you feel like you want to eat all the sugar in the kitchen, or you’re struggling with setting aside time for yourself, having someone to talk through the struggle with can help,” Gilliland shares.

Find a buddy or two that you can call or meet when you’re struggling to stick to your goals.

“I guarantee that there are other people around you that are feeling a lack of motivation, too,” Gilliland shares. “The good thing is that likely, they’re motivated on days you’re not and you’re motivated on days they’re not.” By partnering together, you can provide community and encouragement for each other on your journey to reach your health goals.