If I could sit down with my younger self and talk about food, I wouldn't give her another diet.
I'd tell her to stop being afraid of nourishment.
We Were Taught to Eat Less
For years, women have been surrounded by messages telling us to eat less, choose low-fat everything, count calories, and make ourselves smaller.
What I wish I'd understood sooner is that food isn't simply calories. It's information and raw material for the body.
Protein provides the amino acids our bodies need and helps us maintain and repair muscle. Dietary fats provide energy and essential fatty acids, while also helping us absorb fat-soluble vitamins.
Minerals such as iron are particularly important for menstruating women, while nutrients including vitamin B12, zinc, iodine, and choline all play their own essential roles.
A Proper Breakfast Doesn't Need to Be "Light"
I wish I'd known that a proper breakfast could be eggs and leftover steak rather than something designed to contain as few calories as possible.
There is something powerful about starting the day by asking, "What will nourish me?" rather than, "How little can I get away with eating?"
Strength Training Is an Investment
I wish I'd understood the value of strength training earlier, not as punishment for what I'd eaten, but as an investment in the body I want to live in decades from now.
Building and maintaining strength isn't just about how we look. It's about supporting a capable, resilient body for the long term.
I Wish I'd Paid More Attention to My Cycle
Our menstrual cycle can tell us a lot about what's happening in the body.
Energy, appetite, and performance can fluctuate throughout the month. Instead of fighting those changes, there is value in becoming curious about them and learning to work with our bodies rather than against them.
Women's Nutrition Isn't About Perfection
Most of all, I wish I'd understood that women's nutrition isn't about perfection.
It's about building a strong nutritional foundation.
For me, that looks like prioritising quality protein, nutrient-dense animal foods, plenty of whole foods, enough healthy fats, and carbohydrates that suit my activity levels and individual needs.
Then I get on with living my life.
Ten years ago, I thought health was about control.
Today, I think it's much more about nourishment.
