What most people over 40 don’t know about plant-based diets

If the title caught your attention, I’m going to assume you’re at least pushing 40, are completely over perky, annoying, 22-year-old influencers, and your threshold for BS is dangerously low.

So, I’m going to skip the pleasantries and tell you exactly what a plant-based diet is NOT.

It is NOT:

❌ a magic pill or a quick fix.

❌ a fad diet or a viral TikTok trend.

❌ a miracle cure for all that ails you.

❌ a way of eating that requires no thought or effort.

If that’s what you’re looking for, thanks for stopping by and checking out the blog. 🌞 Have a lovely day. 

Ok, so what is it then?

It IS:

✅ a sustainable lifestyle that is backed by science.

✅ a way of eating that has proven short- and long-term health benefits.

✅ a shift that encompasses so much more than what’s at the end of your fork. 

And I’ve been in the plant-based space long enough to know that it’s not just hype.

Many of the common health concerns people start to struggle with as they hit their 40s (and beyond) are the very things a plant-based diet can help improve. 

So, if you’ve ever found yourself saying (or thinking) any of the following, there’s a damn good chance a plant-based diet could help you, too. 👇

🥱 I’m f’ing exhausted all the time. I need a nap.

It’s mid-afternoon, the energy’s gone and it feels like even coffee has given up on you. You’re counting the minutes until you can slam your computer closed and veg on the couch.

I used to wake up at 5:00 AM and teach 90+ teenagers every day. Believe me, I get it. 

But you know what one of the first things people notice when they start eating more plants is? 

Better sleep and more energy. 🥳🎉

All the good stuff that just exists in plants (like fiber and complex carbs) helps prevent those crashes that most of us think are just a part of modern life. Plants keep you fuller longer and give you longer-lasting energy. It’s amazing what a difference it makes when your body isn’t working overtime to digest all of that processed food.

And speaking of digestion…

🚽 I’m so bloated/constipated/fill-in-your-digestive-complaint-here.

That was absolutely me about 95% of the time before switching to a plant-based diet. I was always bloated and uncomfortable, chronically constipated, and I never wanted to be too far from a bathroom because I just never knew when the urge would strike. I had no memory of NOT feeling that way, so I just thought it was normal. 

Now, it happens so rarely I forget it’s even a thing, and on the rare occasion it does happen, I can’t believe I used to feel like that every single day.

Yes, all the fiber from all those plants keeps things moving smoothly 💩, but it also promotes a healthy gut microbiome, and gut health is linked to everything from mental health to your immune system.

If I’m going to be feeding the trillions of gut bugs 🦠 that live in my GI tract whether I like it or not, I’d much rather be feeding the ones that help me feel better, not worse! 

🥗 I really want to lose some weight.

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who hasn’t felt all kinds of ways about their weight. Everyone I know has, at some point, counted calories, counted macros, restricted how much they were eating, and/or avoided entire categories of food. 

And I think we all know… THAT DOESN’T WORK. 

Do you know anyone who tried this one time only, lost the weight, and maintained that weight loss forever? 🙄 I certainly don’t. 

Because it’s not sustainable.

It requires an incredible amount of willpower, and willpower is like a muscle. Eventually, it will get tired and wear out and then we feel like we’re starting over. Again. 

A plant-based diet can help you manage your weight in a way that allows you to actually eat until you’re satisfied. Plants are naturally loaded with nutrients and are lower in calories compared to processed and animal-based options, so you can eat more while actually consuming fewer calories. 

(I love this image from the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine that shows what 500 calories of different foods looks like. It’s a great visual for why you can eat more when you’re eating plants.)

👵 Getting old sucks. Nothing works right and everything hurts.

I have definitely said this. More than once. 

🛒 When I was in my mid-40s, I somehow managed to throw my back out pushing a cart at school. (I don’t typically have back issues, but this was bad enough that I actually had to miss work. My younger friends still bring it up and make fun of me for it to this day.)

⛈️ I can still tell when a storm’s coming in the toe I broke about 20 years ago.

🛌 If I sleep funny, it may take a full week before I can turn my head normally again.

👵 I get hyper focused on something (like, I don’t know, writing a blog post 😝), sit in the same position for too long, and when I get up to pee, I hobble around like a 90-year-old woman for a minute or two while all my muscles re-engage.

Sometimes this stuff is just going to happen. To all of us, no matter what we eat. 

I will always and forever be a clutz with no spatial awareness who runs into inanimate objects and always has a random bruise somewhere on my body. 🤦‍♀️

But I don’t have any kind of chronic lifestyle- or arthritis-related pain that interferes with my day-to-day life.

In fact, I feel pretty damn good most days, and I chalk it up to all the different plants I eat every day. I could even argue that overall I feel better now than I did that day I threw my back out, despite now being in my early 50s and in the throes of perimenopause. 🌪️

The antioxidants naturally found in plant-based foods help reduce the inflammation that can lead to those aches and pains that seem to start creeping up in our 40s, and that we just assume are a given as we get older.

When you’re eating mostly plants, you’re fueling your body with whole foods. 🌱 Whole foods that are chock full of vitamins and nutrients that help you look and feel your best now, and stay healthy and active as you get older. 

🏥 I’m probably going to end up with cancer/diabetes/high blood pressure/high cholesterol/heart disease no matter what. It just runs in my family. 

Maybe. But maybe not. 

No one can predict the future, but research consistently shows that a plant-based diet can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and some kinds of cancer. 🤯

There is no denying there are certain gene mutations that can increase the risk of certain diseases, but just because something “runs in your family” doesn’t mean you are definitely going to get it.

So, yes, you have genetics in common with your family members who have developed these diseases. But you know what else families tend to have in common? 

What they eat.

📣 “Your genes load the gun, but your lifestyle pulls the trigger.”

I’ve seen this quote attributed to many different people so I’m not sure who said it originally, but it’s definitely food for thought. My family tree includes literally ALL of those conditions and diseases I just mentioned, so if I can improve my chances of avoiding them by eating more plants, sign me up!

Ready to give middle age the middle finger?

A plant-based diet is all about giving your body what it needs to thrive, even as you get older. You don't have to feel like it's the beginning of the end, just because you hit 40. With the right tools and mindset, you can feel empowered, energized, and confident every step of the way. 🌱✨

Whether you’re looking to sleep better, boost your energy, tame digestion issues, manage your weight, or reduce your risk of chronic diseases, adding more plants to your plate can make a huge difference.

Curious about how to get started? 

Check out my free guide, 5 Simple Swaps for Adding More Plants to Your Plate, and take the first step toward giving middle age the middle finger with the power of plants.