The Nutritionist & Other Things that Did NOT Help my Mid-life Diet

I knew I was in trouble when she looked me in the eye and said, “You need to eat more bread”.

Sitting in the nutritionist’s office recently was yet another part of my mid-life health journey. Two years ago, I had a hysterectomy and I’ve since been working on trying to eliminate the (very common) menopause belly. (You can read my story and hysterectomy recovery tips here.)

I feel like I’m a whole new school of life as I try to track down answers. I’ve decided to view it like a “before & after” room makeover. But, instead of colorful paint colors, functional furniture, and stylish decor, I want to find the puzzle pieces that fit together to help me feel the best I can during mid-life.

I know that a proper, healthy diet and regular exercise are a very big part of it. So, I’ve been trying to work on learning what that looks like on a day to day basis.

What hasn’t helped me figure out my menopause diet

I put “diet” in quotes here, because I’m not looking for a quick fix diet. I’m actually looking for education in learning how to best provide my body with the nutrients it needs to function its best in this new stage of life.

I’ve studied enough to know it needs to be an anti-inflammation diet (whatever that really means…) and is also calibrated to help balance the new hormone situation menopause brings.

So, if you, too are searching, I thought it might be helpful to share with you the things that I’ve tried that have NOT worked, and give you the 1 week progress report of what I’m trying right now.

1. The Galveston Diet

This first point comes with a huge disclaimer, as I actually really, really love the education of Dr. Mary Claire and the Galveston Diet. In fact, I purchased the program, watched all the videos, and learned so much from it! I am going to buy the brand new Galveston Diet book (affiliate link) and use it as a very helpful resource.

• What is the Galveston Diet? – Developed by an actual gynecologist doctor, the Galveston Diet was born out of research Dr. Mary Claire did as she began her own journey in menopause. It’s based on scientific research and includes the practices of intermittent fasting, counting macros to balance our diet, and regular body movement (exercise).
• What I love about the Galveston Diet – I LOVED the teaching and training that Dr. Mary (an actual educated doctor!) does on all menopause related topics. In fact, I still follow her on Instagram and Facebook and get her newsletters. I’m learning so much from her and highly recommend it.
• What didn’t work for me with the Galveston Diet – As I mentioned earlier, I signed up for the paid version of the Galveston Diet. There were many things I liked about it. It came with meal plans & recipes, a facebook group, and apps that support the specific guidelines of macro counting. I wanted this to work for me! However, the intermittent fasting window was very, very large and I just couldn’t make it work for me and my particular stomach issues. I’m sure it could be chalked up to “user error”, but I feel I failed at the Galveston Diet test!

2. Metabolic Renewal by Dr. Jade Teta

I confess, a facebook ad got me at a weak moment with this one. I paid full price for this program in desperation one gray, rainy morning without much thought.

If you are interested in knowing more about it, here is a recent & thorough review of the metabolic renewal program.

I’m sure it has a lot of great and helpful information, but honestly, I was turned off big time when I got a follow up call by my “personal coach” the morning after I purchased it only to discover it was a hard sell to convince me to buy their protein powder, suppliments and vitamins. He also signed me up for a paid facebook group that was very complicated to cancel. That call set me off to a grumpy start with this program.

Metabolic Renewal is an actual book (and DVD!- We don’t even have a DVD player anymore…) that comes in the mail. By the time it arrived to my Canadian home nearly 2 1/2 weeks later, I didn’t really even know where to start.

Although I did learn some very helpful things, and enjoy some of the recipes, I found the whole program complicated to figure out – and clearly, I didn’t stick with it as a result…

3. A Nutritionist

Please hear me out. I am not saying all nutritionists are incapable of helping us with our dietary needs. I actually was very excited about working with a nutritionist. I think some of them could provide the answers we are desperately seeking.

The one I saw, however, informed me of 2 things:

• She didn’t know anything about how to eat differently when you are in menopause.
• Also, she said, “I had my training so long ago that I guess you can have eggs now even if your cholesterol is high. They used to say it was not recommended.” (hmmm…red flag?)

I thoroughly enjoyed the hour and a half visit with the nice nutritionist and spent an entire day going over her handouts and directive of “follow the Mediterranean diet” and of course, “eat more bread”.

I tried. I really did. I enjoyed the bread. I tried to follow the diet as laid out in the handouts she gave.

I was starving constantly and didn’t feel one iota better. I was desperate for some other help.

Which brings me to today.

This week’s progress report

On Monday, I serendipitously stumbled on to a program I’ve heard many friends rave about. It was starting a new 6 week program that day, so I (again) impulsively signed up.

I won’t name drop it yet until I try it a little longer, but so far, I’m enjoying it better than anything else I’ve tried so far. All week, I’ve been doing all. the. things.

I’ve taken the “before” pictures showing my menopause belly in all its glory, with great hope that in 6 weeks the “after” will show a stronger, healthier person!

I’ve tracked and cooked and pictured and reported to my coach.

It has been time consuming to figure out how to use the app, track macros, and cook new recipes. But, I LOVE that everything needed to help is included in the app that comes with it.

It has a sweet coach that I can text (and she answers my questions!), a facebook group with simple daily focuses, and teaching that helps you focus on only one thing at a time.

This week, I’ve been learning about how to eat only whole foods (the definition is – what has a mother or what comes from the ground?), balancing macros, drinking enough water (I’m really good at that part!), fasting from 7 pm to 7 am (I can do that!), and exercising regularly using modifications for my fibromyalgia.

Now that I’m on the 6th day, I’m very encouraged at the results I already see and feel.

Here’s my 1 week report:

• My skin feels amazing.
• My fridge is full of more veggies & fruit than it has ever seen.
• I have way more energy and less aches (except yesterday was “leg day”, so I’m a bit sore from that!)
• I’ve been sleeping well.
• I’ve lost 1 inch from my waist and 2 pounds. However, I know that weight and waist measurements alone aren’t a total measure of good health…It’s very motivating to see progress, though.
• I’ve got some new “go to” recipes that are so quick & yummy. (Of course I will share them with you as soon as I can get them photographed and written.)

**Update! The program I had just started was the Faster Way to Fat Loss program. Click on that link if you want to read my Faster Way to Fat Loss Review if you’re interested in checking it out.

Are you on your own mid-life “diet” & healthy lifestyle journey?

Clearly, I’m no medical professional and I don’t have all the answers. But, I’m searching.

Are you?

If so, comment in the section below if you are struggling with some of the same issues I am, and what you’re doing to work on a healthy diet and lifestyle.

I’d love to learn tips & tricks from you! And, maybe we can help each other as we both go to this school of mid-life together!