Body Image + Nutrition in Midlife+-Deb Benfield, MEd, RDN

We have the word HANGRY in our vocabulary for a reason.

You know what it feels like to wait too long to eat and become irritable, distracted, edgy, or suddenly much less patient with everyone around you.

Our bodies have been showing us all along that nourishment affects our mood, our ability to think clearly, and simply our capacity to handle life.

And yet, I’m struck by this contradiction:

We’re talking more than ever about regulating our nervous systems, managing cortisol, reducing stress, and improving sleep.

At the same time, women—especially in midlife and beyond—are being encouraged to fast longer, snack less, suppress our appetites, watch our carbs, prevent weight gain, and eat less.

We’re trying to calm bodies we’re simultaneously being encouraged to underfeed.

My new essay explores what eating enough has to do with our nervous systems—and with cultivating a felt sense of safety in our bodies.

how diet culture f*cks with your nervous system:
what eating enough has to do with your felt sense of safety

It’s up now on Substack. Link in bio.

And I’d love to know: Have you ever thought about adequate nourishment as part of how you regulate your nervous system?