What to Eat When Everything Changes: A Story of Nutrition, Menopause, and the Power of Small Steps

October 17, 2025

Jemma Billings

💬 Let Me Tell You a Story

It’s not about politics. It’s not about policy. It’s about something far more personal - and far more universal.

It’s about change.

Now, change is never easy. Especially when it’s about something as fundamental as the way we eat, the way we feel, and the way we live.

I remember a time, going through menopause, when my body started sending signals I couldn’t ignore. Gluten and dairy? No longer my friends. Refined sugar? Made me hotter than an active volcano. I felt bloated, groggy, and just plain off.

So I made a decision!! I am going to remove those foods that upset my digestion and make me feel rubbish from my diet!!.

And then I sat down with my menu planner and thought:

\ 🤷What the hell am I going to eat now? 🤷

🧭 Facing the Mountain

Changing how you’ve eaten for decades is like standing at the base of a mountain with no training, no map, and no guide.

I started with the basics. Meat, two veg, potatoes, porridge. It was the most boring 4 weeks of meals in my entire life.

But here’s the thing: that boring phase gave me clarity. I reviewed every product in my kitchen. I identified what no longer worked. I removed it. And in doing so, I created the space for something better.

🌟 Rebuilding with Joy and Purpose

Once the clutter was gone, I went online and found thousands of recipes that fitted my new way of eating. Suddenly, food felt exciting again. I wasn’t just surviving, I was thriving.

But eating well can cost more. So I did what I’ve always done when faced with a challenge: I got organised. I comp-shopped, I compared prices, quality, and value. I built a system that worked for my body and my budget.

💬 Feeling overwhelmed by where to start? You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Book your free 15-minute consultation and let’s build your plan together.

💡 The Truth About Radical Change

Now, I’ll be honest. My change was too drastic and I wouldnt recommend this to you. I jumped off the cliff because I had to. The hot flushes, the indigestion, the bloating!! they were too disruptive to ignore.

But most people don’t need to leap. They need to step gently and make gradual changes like reducing gluten, dairy, or sugar slowly over months or even years. This way is much more sustainable, manageable and more realistic/ human.

🧠 Change Is Possible: At any pace

Here’s what I’ve learned: change doesn’t have to be dramatic to be effective.

Whether you’re making small swaps or big shifts, the key is to:

Be kind to yourself
Celebrate what you have done/ doing or acheived can do
Build systems that support you
Syrround yourself with people who support you
What you eat you should enjoy
Continue to have some treats

Remember: even if you swap for one day a month crisps to nuts or sugary cereal for porridge this is an excellent progression and success.

🗣️ A Message for Anyone Feeling Stuck

You don’t need to run marathons or cook gourmet meals every night. You need a plan that fits your reality, your schedule, your budget, and your energy.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

🔁 Change doesn’t have to be perfect! It just has to begin. If you’re ready to take that first step, book your free15-minute consultation. Let’s talk about how to make change feel possible for you.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.”

— Barack Obama