Q: Carla, how has your strategy to consuming advanced as you’ve navigated totally different life phases?
Carla Corridor: As I’ve grown older, I’ve grow to be extra intentional about how I eat. I’ve at all times beloved meals, however now I take a look at it by means of the lens of longevity, stamina, and mind well being. After I was youthful, indulgent meals have been simply that, enjoyable and filling. However now, I ask myself how the meals serves me and my well being.
I nonetheless take pleasure in consolation meals, however I’ve realized to provide them a practical twist. As an alternative of a beef burger, I’ll go for turkey or a veggie burger on a whole-grain bun with a number of veggies. And as a substitute of sugary milkshakes, I’ll make a smoothie with Greek yogurt, berries, spinach, and protein powder. It’s all about discovering pleasure in nourishment and making good swaps that also really feel satisfying.
Q: What does a typical day of consuming seem like for you now?
Carla Corridor: My days are busy, so I eat to gas up. I often go for six smaller meals all through the day to maintain my vitality up, particularly once I’m in manufacturing mode. I would begin with savory oats made with chia seeds, sunflower milk, and nuts––I completely love oats! Lunch might be a whole-grain bowl with quinoa, roasted veggies, and turkey breast. I snack on hummus and carrots, particularly between dessert tastings. Dinner is likely to be one thing fast from the air fryer or grill, paired with entire grains. At night time, particularly if I’m coaching, I’ll have a protein shake to assist with restoration.
Q: How do you strategy meal planning and preparation?
Carla Corridor: I give attention to simplicity and taste. Utilizing entire components permits me to regulate the salt, sugar, and fats content material in my meals. I improve dishes with recent herbs and citrus to scale back sodium with out sacrificing style. This strategy makes meal preparation each healthful and satisfying—and MyFitnessPal’s new Meal Planner actually helps. It’s been a implausible complement to my cooking philosophy. Meal Planner helps me manage my meals for the week, making certain I’m getting an excellent steadiness of vitamins whereas nonetheless protecting issues thrilling within the kitchen.
Q: Have you ever made any particular dietary changes to assist your well being as you’ve aged?
Carla Corridor: Completely. I’ve grow to be extra centered on getting sufficient protein and fiber, and I’ve began paying nearer consideration to how meals impacts my vitality, temper, and digestion. Studying I carry a gene linked to dementia actually shifted my perspective. It made me extra aware about my general well-being, together with considering extra deliberately about meals that may assist assist basic mind well being. I’m additionally aware about parts and timing. It’s about supporting my physique for the lengthy haul—I plan to reside to 104!
Q: What recommendation would you give to others trying to adapt their consuming habits for higher well being?
Carla Corridor: Begin by listening to your physique. Don’t be afraid to evolve your habits as your wants change. Meals is gas and pleasure—it’s not both/or. Use spices, herbs, and citrus to maintain meals thrilling with out counting on sugar or salt. And don’t neglect to provide your self grace. Monitoring my meals with MyFitnessPal has actually opened my eyes to what my physique wants.
Q: How has menopause influenced your dietary selections and general vitamin?
Carla Corridor: Menopause caused important adjustments in my physique, together with digestive points and shifts in vitality ranges. To handle these, I centered on incorporating nutrient-dense meals like leafy greens, entire grains, and lean proteins. I additionally paid consideration to hydration and included meals wealthy in calcium and magnesium to assist bone well being.
Q: How do you guarantee selection and pleasure in your meals whereas specializing in well being?
Carla Corridor: Spices, herbs, and seasonal components are my go-tos. I really like taking part in with taste to maintain issues attention-grabbing with out counting on added sugars or fat. And I usually mix the aware of the surprising—it’s an effective way to ease individuals into making an attempt new issues.
I’ve been utilizing MyFitnessPal since earlier than the pandemic—again once I didn’t even know what a macronutrient was—and it helped me keep centered on what my physique wants. That’s why I’m excited to accomplice with MyFitnessPal on a recipe assortment for his or her Meal Planner.
In my expertise as a chef, this is likely one of the most sensible instruments on the market. With Meal Planner now you can plan your meals for the week based mostly in your dietary objectives and dietary preferences, and it even generates a grocery listing, making purchasing straightforward. Whether or not you’re a seasoned prepare dinner or simply beginning out, it’s an effective way to take pleasure in assorted, wholesome meals with out spending hours figuring all of it out.
For me, it’s about balancing creativity with vitamin—and this device helps make that steadiness really feel achievable for everybody.
Q: What function does mindfulness play in your consuming habits?
Carla Corridor: Mindfulness is vital. I pay shut consideration to how meals makes me really feel—each bodily and emotionally. This consciousness helps me make selections that align with my well being objectives whereas protecting the enjoyment in consuming.
At 61, I’ve realized that it’s not nearly counting energy; it’s about specializing in the vitamins our our bodies really want as we age. Calcium for robust bones, protein to take care of muscle mass, fiber for digestive well being, and potassium for coronary heart well being. That’s why monitoring my meals consumption with MyFitnessPal has been so impactful.
For me, mindfulness is about honesty—being your personal advocate and really understanding what your physique wants. Monitoring my consumption helps me keep intentional.
It’s all about steadiness and tuning in. To me, monitoring has been a useful device—not for obsession, however for consciousness. Meals is supposed to be loved, and with somewhat mindfulness, we may give our our bodies the love and vitamin they deserve.
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