The Five Pillars of Wellbeing: Food as the Foundation

Welcome to the first installment of our five-part series on the pillars of wellbeing. These pillars—Food, Exercise, Sleep, Stress, and Mindset—are essential for a vibrant and balanced life, especially as we move into our forties and beyond. Today, we dive into the first and most fundamental pillar: Food.

Riding on Estrogen: Why Food Becomes Even More Important After 40

Before hitting our forties, many of us unknowingly "ride on our estrogen." This powerhouse hormone, along with progesterone, provides us with bone density, muscle mass, emotional stability, and the resilience to manage stress and multitasking. However, as we transition into perimenopause and menopause, these hormone levels shift, making it essential to support our bodies in new ways—especially through the foods we eat.

Estrogen has been helping us manage stress, energy levels, and metabolism, but as its levels decline, we must take a more intentional approach to our nutrition. Without this hormonal buffer, our dietary choices have a more direct impact on our overall health, energy, and emotional wellbeing.

The Ayurvedic Perspective: Food as Medicine

In Ayurveda, food isn’t just about sustenance—it’s about balance and healing. Every bite we take becomes part of us, literally forming our cells, skin, hair, and organs. The quality, timing, and type of food we consume determine how well our bodies function and how effectively we eliminate waste.

Yet, many of us in the Western world struggle with digestive imbalances due to a diet heavy in processed foods, artificial additives, and chemically altered fats. These choices dampen our digestive fire, making it harder for our bodies to absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins.

Signs Your System Is Out of Balance

Your body constantly communicates with you, signaling whether it's in balance or struggling. Common indicators of imbalance include:

• PMS symptoms such as irritability, bloating, or painful periods (which Ayurveda sees as a sign of an underlying issue, not a normal occurrence)
• Sugar cravings and late-night snacking
• Irregular digestion, including constipation, bloating, or sluggish metabolism
• Feeling overwhelmed or unable to multitask as effectively as before

Ignoring these signals can lead to greater imbalances, making the transition through perimenopause and menopause more challenging. The key is to address the root causes rather than simply masking the symptoms.

The SOL Approach to Eating

A powerful way to reset your relationship with food is to embrace the Ayurvedic principle of S.O.L. eating:

• Seasonal – Eating foods that are naturally available in each season supports the body’s needs during different times of the year.
• Organic – Choosing organic foods reduces the intake of harmful pesticides and chemicals that can interfere with hormone balance.
• Local – Local foods are fresher, more nutrient-dense, and aligned with your body’s natural environment.

By focusing on whole, unprocessed foods, we provide our bodies with the nourishment they need to thrive. Simple swaps, like replacing white sugar with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, can also make a profound difference.

Timing Matters: When You Eat is as Important as What You Eat

Ayurveda recommends eating between 7 AM and 7 PM, aligning our meals with our body’s natural rhythms. This approach allows for proper digestion and overnight detoxification, giving the liver time to cleanse the body effectively.

Late-night eating, excessive snacking, and inconsistent meal times disrupt digestion and can lead to energy imbalances, weight gain, and sluggish metabolism. Instead, aim for three nourishing meals a day, with lunch being the largest and most substantial meal.

The Power of Cleansing and Resetting

An Ayurvedic cleanse is a gentle way to reset the digestive system without extreme fasting or juice-only regimens. Unlike traditional detoxes, an Ayurvedic cleanse focuses on nourishment rather than deprivation. By reducing the variety of foods we consume and emphasizing simple, easily digestible meals, we give our digestive system a much-needed break.

This approach helps restore balance, support metabolism, and enhance the body's natural detoxification processes. It’s a practice that can be particularly beneficial as we move through hormonal transitions.

The Role of Healthy Fats in Hormonal Balance

Contrary to outdated diet trends that demonize fats, Ayurveda and modern science agree that healthy fats are essential—especially for women approaching menopause. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are crucial for brain function, skin health, and hormone production. Incorporating sources like flaxseeds, walnuts, ghee, and extra virgin olive oil can help maintain balance and vitality.

Conclusion: Food as Your First Pillar of Wellbeing

By choosing high-quality, nutrient-dense foods and aligning our eating habits with Ayurvedic wisdom, we can support our bodies through the changes of midlife and beyond. Food is more than just fuel—it’s medicine, transformation, and balance.

In our next blog post, we’ll explore the second pillar of wellbeing: Exercise—how movement can be a powerful ally in maintaining strength, energy, and vitality as we age. Stay tuned!