Dear influencers, please stop telling midlife women what to eat!

When Wellness Advice Becomes Wellness Nonsense

The other morning, as I sipped my tea and scrolled through the usual parade of 'wellness' content on social media, a post stopped me in my tracks. Not because it was helpful — but because it was so confidently wrong.

“Women over 40 should stop eating gluten.”

Said with zero context, zero nuance, and zero actual science.

And honestly? I’ve had enough.

Let’s Set the Record Straight

As a midlife woman who’s not only living it but coaching others through it, I’ve got a pretty low tolerance for recycled wellness rubbish — especially when it’s being peddled by influencers half our age, or trainers who’ve never had a hot flush.

So here’s what I want you to know:

You do not need to give up gluten just because you’re over 40.

Yes, Our Bodies Change in Midlife — But That Doesn’t Mean Gluten is the Enemy

It’s true that our gut health changes during perimenopause and menopause. Oestrogen affects everything from digestion to inflammation to how our microbiome behaves.

But unless you have:

• Celiac disease

• A confirmed gluten sensitivity

• Or a diagnosed gut condition that flares with wheat-based foods…

There’s no evidence that gluten is suddenly toxic for all women over 40.

In fact, cutting it out without medical need can make your diet unnecessarily restrictive, reduce fibre and nutrient intake, and — let’s be honest — add more stress to your already busy plate.

We’ve Been Here Before, Haven’t We?

This kind of fear-based advice isn’t new.

Remember the ‘80s and ‘90s?
We were told to:

• Do more cardio

• Eat less fat

• Count every calorie

• Avoid carbs like the plague

The result? A whole generation of women feeling tired, hungry, and disconnected from their bodies.

Now it’s happening again — just with a TikTok filter.

Cardio is being demonised. Carbs are once again the villain. Protein is being treated like the holy grail. And influencers are yelling at us to “lift heavy and ditch gluten” — as if we all live in protein bar commercials.

So, What Do Midlife Women Actually Need?

Here’s what the science — and years of coaching real women — tells us:

✔ We need muscle-building movement — yes, strength training, but also flexibility, mobility and yes… even cardio.

✔ We need protein, yes — but not at the expense of other food groups.

✔ We need fibre (hello, grains!), healthy fats, colourful plants, and joy in our meals.

✔ We need to stop chasing trends and start listening to our own bodies.

✔ And we need advice rooted in evidence, not Instagram algorithms.

The Bottom Line?

You are allowed to:

• Eat gluten (unless your body says no)

• Enjoy bread, pasta, and birthday cake

• Do cardio and lift heavy

• Ask questions and demand better from the wellness world

Because midlife isn’t a reason to shrink or restrict.

It’s a time to rise, rebuild, and reclaim your health — on your own terms.

XO Jane