healthy eating

Fatigue, fog, and stress—if you’re over 35 and trying to balance career, caregiving, and self-care, you’re likely no stranger to burnout. But exhaustion doesn’t have to be your default. In a recent episode of Work it, Live it, Own it!, I sat down with naturopath and holistic nutritionist Alana Bonnemann to explore how food can be both your greatest tool and your gentlest reset.

Press play to listen to entire conversation.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation

1. Energy Is a Plate Away

Alana challenged the idea that nutrition is about restriction or clean eating. Instead, she focused on mindful nourishment—using food as feedback rather than punishment. When you listen to how your body reacts, you begin to restore your natural vitality.

2. Healing Starts with Trust—and Flavor

A common myth is that healthy food has to taste bland. Alana dismisses it. She emphasizes the joy of eating and the importance of flavors that nourish not just your body but your spirit.

3. The Power of the 80/20 Reset

Instead of eliminating indulgent foods, Alana recommends an add-first approach: start with nourishing foods that naturally crowd out the less nourishing ones. The 80/20 rule—nutrient-rich foods 80% of the time and the rest flexibly—creates sustainable dietary harmony.

4. Break the Food Fear Loop

Alana and I discussed how restrictive rules or moralizing language around food breed stress and guilt. By shifting from “good vs. bad” thinking to “What feels energizing vs. draining?”, you build confidence and resilience, not shame.

5. Make Food a Partner, Not a Punishment

In our chat, we agreed: your plate shouldn’t be a battleground. Food can support your cognitive performance, emotional balance, and even spirituality. Alana beautifully tied nutrition to a holistic sense of self, fueling not just your body but your purpose.

Why This Conversation Matters

For many women 35+ balancing multiple roles, eating better can feel overwhelming. But Alana’s approach reframes that pressure into possibility. Rather than another diet, this is a reset through real food and self-trust—a reset powerful enough to recharge your energy and rebuild your inner spark, sustainably and joyfully.

Your Next Step: Start Your Nutrition Reset Today

Instead of trying to overhaul your entire life, begin with one meal this week:

• Choose nourishment over perfection: Add a serving of protein, healthy fat, or veggies first.
• Tune into how you feel after eating: Notice if you feel energized, clear-headed, or balanced.
• Let go of food fear: Remind yourself that treating yourself once in a while doesn’t derail progress—it’s permission to live fully.

Because luxury isn’t about what you eliminate—it’s about rediscovering how good you can feel.

Watch or Listen to the Full Conversation

For practical insights and gentle guidance on how to reset your energy and master burnout through food, be sure to check out the full episode of Work it, Live it, Own it!