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The Family Fork: Nutrition For Moms In Perimenopause

Advertise on podcast: The Family Fork: Nutrition For Moms In Perimenopause

Rating
★★★★★
4.7
from
12 reviews
This podcast has
76 episodes
Language
English
Date created
2024/09/06
Latest episode
2026/02/03
Average duration
28 min.
Release period
8 days

Description

Feel like you’ve tried everything to lose weight in perimenopause, but nothing works? Maybe you want to feed your family healthy meals, but can’t get them on board with food that supports your goals? If this is you, you’re in the right place! A wife and mom of two, Ashley Malik is an expert in anti-inflammatory nutrition, a Certified Mindset Coach, and former therapist (MSW). Ashley brings simplicity to family meals, nutrition, and weight loss. If you’re tired of trying to DIY your way to perimenopause weight loss and better health, The Family Fork gives you solutions you need. Each week you’ll discover approachable techniques for cooking healthy family meals, how to make simple anti-inflammatory swaps, and solutions for eating on-the-go. Plus, with every episode you’ll discover the right mindset to stick with your nutrition, rewiring your brain so you can lose weight and be healthy for life. To learn more, and to work with Ashley directly, visit ashleymalik.com.

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Check latest episodes from The Family Fork: Nutrition For Moms In Perimenopause podcast


75: Perimenopause and Cravings: The Connection and the Solution
2026/02/03
Raise your hand if your cravings have gotten worse in perimenopause? Like finding yourself standing in front of the pantry at 9:00 PM, wondering how you ended up halfway through a bag of Hershey’s Kisses or chips after a perfectly healthy day? If you’ve been beating yourself up for a "lack of discipline," it's not your fault, and I need you to listen to this! In this episode of The Family Fork, we are diving deep into cravings during perimenopause. I’m pulling back the curtain on why those intense, out-of-the-blue cravings hit so hard during this stage of life. We’re moving past the "mean girl" inner dialogue of guilt and shame and getting curious about what’s actually happening under the hood. We’ll explore how fluctuating estrogen and progesterone are taking your blood sugar on a roller coaster ride, making your brain scream for fast-acting fuel like sugar and carbs. I also share my personal journey with gut health—specifically Candida overgrowth—and how those "microbes" in your belly might actually be the ones calling the shots. This episode helps you figure out how to stop restricting and start stabilizing. In This Episode: 📌 Mindset First: How to swap guilt for curiosity, and identify the feelings you’re trying to avoid with food. 📌 Cravings Intensified: Why hormonal shifts make your hunger signals turn up to max volume. 📌 The Cortisol Connection: How your "invisible load" as a busy mom keeps your cravings running high. 📌 Gut Health SOS: Signs and symptoms of bacterial imbalance that drives that insatiable need for sugar 📌 Eat More Food: Why the "eat less, exercise more" mantra is actually triggering your body to panic and crave calorie-dense foods. More Support For You Free Guide: Get Started With Anti-Inflammatory Meals Free Guide: Quick and Easy Anti-Inflammatory Snacks 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social 🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation
74: Alcohol & Perimenopause: The Truth About Midlife Drinking
2026/01/27
Feel like a lightweight when you drink in perimenopause? Does that nightly glass of Cabernet pack more of a punch than it used to (and you find it's harder to recover in the morning?) In this episode, we're digging into the relationship between alcohol and midlife, but it's a different take than you're used to. Because you already know the science. You’re a smart, driven, professional woman. The struggle isn't a lack of knowledge. It's the challenge of doing better when your brain and nervous system are wired for belonging. I'm pulling back the curtain on why your brain views social exclusion as a life-or-death situation and how alcohol often serves as an "off switch" for heavy feelings like inadequacy or frustration. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 📌How to Change Your Identity: Why alcohol becomes an "identity marker" and why your nervous system feels threatened when you change the rules of your social rituals. 📌 Why You're Suddenly a Lightweight: Why your liver prioritizes clearing toxins over processing fluctuating hormones, leading to a "hormonal backup" and worsened hot flashes. 📌 Your Need to Belong: How your primitive brain scans for moments of connection and why saying "no" at a work happy hour feels like a threat to your safety. 📌 Avoiding Tough Emotions: How to identify if you are using alcohol to cover up feelings of apathy, inadequacy, or deprivation on your health journey. 📌 Practical Tools for Change: How to find a "tribe partner," use "anchor habits" with your spouse, and choose your emotions ahead of time so you wake up feeling proud instead of hungover. More Support For You 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social 🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation
73: (Part 2) Perimenopause Weight Loss: 5-Step Framework for Success
2026/01/20
Juggling perimenopause, family, and weight loss goals can feel overwhelming, especially when it seems like you’ve tried every diet under the sun and nothing sticks.  In the previous episode, we talked about the nuts and bolts of nutrition and fitness strategy—the "what" of losing weight. Today, we are digging into the "how," and it has nothing to do with your gym membership. I’m taking you off the "DIY" treadmill and putting you on my therapist’s couch (metaphorically, of course!). As a certified mindset coach (and a former therapist!), I know that your brain, thoughts, and feelings are the primary drivers of your success or failure. If you feel resentful about cooking separate meals or hopeless because the scale won't budge, those feelings are exactly why you shut down and quit. In this episode, I’m sharing the exact 5-step framework I use with my private coaching clients in The Method. We’ll talk about why your "primal brain" is wired to keep you safe and predictable (which usually means keeping you stuck and overweight) and how to rewire those neural pathways so healthy habits become your new default. Grab a notebook and a pen, friend. This is a high-level coaching session designed to help you stop hiding and start healing. What you’ll learn in this episode: 📌 Why "safe and predictable" thinking is the biggest obstacle to your transformation. 📌 How to identify the specific feelings (like inadequacy and resentment) that are sabotaging your progress. 📌 The 5-step goal-setting framework that puts your mindset at the forefront. 📌 How to redefine failure, and what it looks like Links Mentioned and Ways To Connect 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social 🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation
72: (Part 1) Perimenopause Weight Loss: Your Simple Strategy For Nutrition and Workouts
2026/01/13
When it comes to midlife weight loss, you probably think you need "more discipline" or "more willpower". Not true! What is true is that your strategy isn't built for a busy, midlife mom in perimenopause. Most of us try to DIY our way through nutrition, diets, and workouts. But when it seems like you've tried everything, but nothing is working to help you improve your health, or to lose weight, what are you supposed to do? I’ve lost 65 pounds in my late 40s, and I can say this with 100% certainty: you don't need a fancy gym membership or a lifestyle overhaul that takes hours of weekend meal prep, in order to lose weight.  You need a hormone-informed, realistic strategy that fits into your actual life—the one with the meetings, the kids’ sports schedules, and the "invisible load" you're already carrying. Today is Part 1 of a two-part series. We are digging into the tactical side: the exact fitness and nutrition shifts that support your body when estrogen is on the decline. We’re keeping it simple, straight-forward, and effective. What you’ll learn in this episode: 📌 The Cortisol Conumdrum: Why your favorite HIIT or intense cardio class might actually be increasing inflammation and stalling your weight loss. 📌 The Home Advantage: Why I recommend starting your weightlifting journey in your living room (plus the 5 sets of dumbbells you actually need). 📌 Your Winning Breakfast: Why changing this one meal first provides the "biggest bang for your buck" in regulating blood sugar and killing cravings. 📌 Time Blocking Success: How to schedule your health so it doesn’t get pushed to the back burner by 3 p.m. 💫 Be sure to follow The Family Fork on your favorite podcast player, so you don't miss next week's episode! Part 2: 5-Step Framework for Success. Links Mentioned and Ways To Connect: 💪 Start working out at home TODAY with my favorite library of programs 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social 🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation
71: You Aren't Behind: New Year Pep Talk For Midlife Women
2026/01/06
Feel like you're already "behind" in the New Year before it’s even gotten off the ground? This episode is for you! Happy New Year, my friend! If you’re listening and feeling less "reinvigorated and refreshed" and more like "exhausted midlife mom just trying to survive," I want you to take a deep breath. You are exactly where you need to be. In this episode, I’m scrapping the "how-to" to give us both what we actually need: a real-talk pep talk. I’m sharing how the messages you hear in January can lead you to feeling like a failure, when it comes to your midlife health and wellness. I'm breaking down the toxic myths that tell you you're "behind" if you didn't start on January 1st. I’ll explain why your body doesn't have an expiration date for health. and how your brain’s "freeze response" is actually what’s stopping you (hint: it's not your lack of willpower!) We’re moving away from the "all or nothing" mentality and leaning into the "bare minimum" so you can actually start living a vibrant, anti-inflammatory life in the middle of your messy, beautiful, chaotic reality. Inside this episode: 📌 Why January 1st is arbitrary, and how you can focus on your health anytime 📌 Borrowing from your professional side, let's stop firing yourself from your own wellness goals. 📌 How to identify the "when" stories that give you permission to procrastinate. 📌 The biological reason your nervous system sees big goals as a threat (and how to lower the stakes). Links Mentioned and Ways To Connect: 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social 🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation
70: THE Mindset Shift for Successful Health Resolutions
2025/12/30
At the beginning of a new year, you probably feel that familiar nudge. You know the one: the "New Year, New Me" excitement where you buy the fancy apps, the matching yoga pants, and print out a meal plan so organized it belongs in a museum.  But let’s be real—by Valentine’s Day, those yoga pants are being dressed up for "casual office wear", and your motivation has completely evaporated. I see you, and I get it. You are a smart, driven, high-achieving woman managing a career and a massive "invisible load" at home. But let's get honest about why your health resolutions have failed in the past. (Spoiler alert: It’s not because you lack willpower or discipline.) The problem is a flawed strategy that doesn't account for the reality of who you are as a professional and busy mom in perimenopause or menopause. In this episode I break down the six traps that keep midlife moms stuck in a cycle of frustration and self-blame. We’re moving past the "all-or-nothing" mentality, and taking advantage of my secret weapon: the Bare Minimum Plan. We talk about how to stop punishing yourself for holiday cookies and cocktails, and how to start rewiring your brain so healthy habits actually feel effortless. In this episode: ✅ The Tool Trap: Why downloading fitness and nutrition apps won’t balance your hormones. ✅ The Planning Lie: How to tell if your color-coded Google Calendar is acutally your way of procrastinating. ✅ The Bare Minimum Plan: How to stay on track even when life goes off the rails. ✅ Rewiring Your Brain: Why a mindset framework is the missing link in every diet you’ve ever tried. ✅ Data vs. Drama: How to look at post-holiday weight gain without the guilt, shame, or punishment. Links Mentioned and Ways To Connect: The Perimenopause Weight Loss Method 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social 🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation
69: The Truth About My "Healthiest Year Ever"
2025/12/23
Want to know the truth about my "healthiest year ever"? It didn't look anything like I had planned. Maybe your health and wellness goals went off the rails this year, too?  You are definitely not alone. I started this year with a physique coach, ready to get into the best shape of my life for my 50th year. But life decided to hand me a cancer diagnosis, multiple surgeries, and the loss of my dad instead. In this episode of The Family Fork, I’m giving you a raw, unfiltered look at what my year really looked like. I’m not going to tell you I nailed my nutrition every day (spoiler: I definitely didn't). Instead, we’re digging into the reality of survival mode. I’m sharing the three areas where I actually surprised myself with success, and the three shortcomings that taught me the hardest lessons. In this episode, you’ll learn: 📌 Slow Down vs Stop: Why taking a "pit stop" isn't quitting, and how cancer diagnosis forced me to understand what rest actually means. 📌 Movement for Mental Health: How walking to the mailbox became my biggest physical win of the year. 📌 Clean Eating with a Side of Sabatoge: A candid look at this year's struggle with sugar (hello, Hershey's Kisses 🙄) and how it impacts gut health and inflammation. 📌 Aaaahh, Stress Management: Why I bought myself a watercolor set and how 45-minutes of creating can lower your cortisol. Whether you’re navigating a health issues, perimenopause, or just the overwhelming invisible load of midlife, this episode is your permission slip to stop trying to be perfect, and to start finding grace. Links Mentioned and Ways to Connect: 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social 🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation
68: Ditch the Diet: 5 Secrets for Sustainable Weight Loss
2025/12/16
If you're ready to finally ditch the diets, for something more sustainable (and that gives better results!), listen up! When I tell women I lost 65 pounds in my late 40s, their first question is always "How?" And while I could list the diet swaps and workouts, that's not the full story, is it? We both know that when life hits the fan—solo parenting for six weeks, caring for a sick parent, recovering from surgery—the "basics" are the first thing to go. If weight loss were just a simple nutrition plan, you’d have already reached your goal! The truth is, my lasting success came from going far beyond the basics. It wasn't just about the food and movement. It was about the profound identity shift and the tools I developed to stay on track when things got hard. It’s what allowed me to stick with my health journey through a hysterectomy, breast cancer, and all the day-to-day chaos that comes with midlife motherhood. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain to share the five most impactful things I did to not only lose 65 pounds, but to keep it off for good. These are the non-negotiable strategies that will help you pull through when life inevitably goes off the rails. In This Episode: ✅ The ONLY Thing You Need for Long-Term Success: It isn't your meal plan, but learning to be brutally consistent (and hear how I finally taught myself to do it). ✅ The Sneaky Thing Sabatoging Your Efforts: The "bites, licks, and tastes" (BLTs) you're conveniently forgetting to track, and how this simple act of self-honesty can change your results. ✅ Why Your Feelings Are Derailing Your Weight Loss: You MUST recognize your feelings—like resentment or frustration—because they directly drive your results. I’ll explain how this works and how I used a simple framework to stop that cycle. ✅ Stop Looking for the “Quick Fix”: Why those fat burners, peptides, or latest fad diets are actually keeping you stuck, and why consistency over time is the only sustainable path. Let's ditch the frustration and embrace a new way of approaching your health. I promise, weight loss is possible for you in midlife, but you're going to have to make a few mindset shifts! Links Mentioned and Ways to Connect: 🥑 Component Cooking for Busy Moms: Check out The Supper Club meal plan membership to see how I cook just 3 nights a week! 📌 Ready to apply the consistency framework to your life? Learn how to do that here! 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me ⭐️ Connect on Social
67: Traveling on an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
2025/12/09
You likely know by now that anti-inflammatory nutrition in midlife is a non-negotiable. But let's be honest, we all get tripped up when it comes to traveling! Whether you're heading off for a family vacation, a holiday visit, or a packed work trip, it can feel impossible to stick to your healthy eating habits when you’re away from your own kitchen. And I hear you thinking, "Ashley, why bother? I'm supposed to be having fun!" But when you're off your regular schedule, moving less, and forgetting to drink water (you know you do!), your body gets seriously inflamed and puffy. This leads to exhaustion, headaches, and just plain feeling lousy. That is no way to enjoy a vacation, and it’s certainly no way to be on your A-game for a work trip! In this episode, I'm walking you through the simple, actionable steps you can take to stick with your anti-inflammatory nutrition, even while traveling. This system works whether you're staying at a five-star hotel, an Airbnb, or crashing at your sister's house. A little bit of pre-planning will save you so much time and energy, allowing you to be your most vibrant, present self for your family and friends. And spoiler alert: you're going to have to make a mindset shift and advocate for what you need! What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The 3 Items I Never Travel Without: I’ll share my absolute favorite travel essentials, including a lightweight water bottle and the one food that instantly boosts energy and kicks cravings. ✅ My Anti-Inflammatory Snack List: Discover how to make your own healthy trail mix for the airport, other snacks that travel well, plus the single-serve dark chocolate that cures your late-night cravings (bye, Milky Ways!) ✅ Your Destination Grocery List: The exact list of packable, anti-inflammatory items you need to order to your hotel or Airbnb to fuel your body with zero stress. ✅ The Mindset Shift to Unlock Success: Why your fear of being a "bother" to your family is holding you back, and how to advocate for your health so you can be your most energetic, best self. (Hint: Nobody is thinking about your food as much as you are!) Links Mentioned and ways to connect: 📌 Get the extra anti-inflammatory travel guides inside the Supper Club 📌 Tap here to work with me 📌 Mindset Frameworks to stop relying on motivation 📌 Connect on social
66: Pop Quiz: Why You Can't Lose Weight In Perimenopause
2025/12/02
Raise your hand if you've tried everything in perimenopause to lose weight, but nothing works? You’re tracking your steps, eating salads, maybe even choking down dry chicken and broccoli for dinner. Believe me, I get it! I've been there, and I hear this same frustration from busy, midlife moms every single day. As we creep into perimenopause and beyond, losing weight becomes a whole new ballgame...it is harder, but not impossible! While you think you’ve tried every single thing, the truth is that your brain can be sneaky! It can actually blind you to simple, available solutions you haven't even given a fair shot. In this episode, I’m giving you a much-needed kick-in-the-pants with a Pop Quiz! I’ve identified 10 major reasons that are likely stopping your weight loss, even when you think you’re doing everything perfectly. We’re turning that frustration into data, my friend, because once you know the why, you can finally figure out the HOW. We're diving into the nutrition, the workouts, and the most crucial part: the mindset shifts you need to make healthy habits effortless. Grab a pen and paper, keep score as you listen, and don't forget to grab the printable quiz (link below!) so you can truly own your results. What You'll Learn: ⭐️ Wrong Plan, Wrong Results: Why your go-to meal plans and recipes from the internet are actually promoting inflammation and making the scale creep up, not down . ⭐️ Planning Is Procrastination: How collecting endless recipes and meal plans is just your brain's sneaky way of avoiding the real work (and what to do instead!) . ⭐️ The Hard-to-Swallow Pill: Why "following your meal plan" Monday through Friday is derailing your efforts the rest of the week. ⭐️ The Biggest Miss: Why having the "right" meal plan isn't enough, and why understanding your mindset is the true secret weapon to lifelong weight loss . Links mentioned and ways to connect: 📌 FREE Quiz: Why You Can't Lose Weight in Perimenopause 📌 Free 21-Day Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan 📌 Work with Me 📌 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 📌 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Motivation 📌 Connect on Social
65: Holidays with Perimenopause: Smart Strategies for Food and Alcohol
2025/11/25
The holiday season is here! Yay for the twinkle lights, cozy feelings, cherished traditions...but there's plenty of food and alcohol that can absolutely derail your health goals. As a busy, midlife mom managing perimenopause symptoms and working to lose weight, you know that sugar and inflammatory foods can instantly lead to a miserable sugar hangover and that dreaded need to unbutton your pants after a big meal. But you deserve to feel amazing this holiday season!! You need that energy for parties, shopping, family events like the ballet or tubing, and definitely for keeping up with the kids. The goal here is simple: be proactive, so you can glide through the holidays feeling energetic, clear-minded, and totally in control. This episode is your roadmap to enjoying the holidays without deprivation. We're ditching the self-sabotage and giving you the smart, anti-inflammatory swaps and mindset shifts that work for your body right now. In this episode, we tackle: ⭐️ The Savory Secret: Why starting your day with a savory breakfast bowl (yes, even a dinner-for-breakfast moment!) is your best defense against cravings and blood sugar crashes all day long. ⭐️ The Power of Protein: How drinking a delicious, protein-filled smoothie before a party keeps you satisfied and less tempted by the buffet table. ⭐️ Family Expectations vs. Your Health: How to manage (and reset) family expectations around classic holiday foods, without feeling guilty or causing a nervous system freak-out. ⭐️ The Three-Bite Rule: My clever, guilt-free strategy for enjoying the best sweets and treats at any holiday gathering ⭐️ Alcohol Anxiety: How to reframe your mindset around alcohol so you can feel comfortable not drinking at parties and events Let's make this the most energetic and confident holiday season yet! Links Mentioned and Ways to Connect: 📌 Get your Savor the Season anti-inflammatory cook book here 📌 My favorite protein powder for pre-party smoothies 📌 My favorite festive tumblers for mocktails 📌 Work with Me 📌 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 📌 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Motivation 📌 Connect on Social
64: Ask Me Anything: Perimenopause, Weight Loss, and Family Meals
2025/11/18
Ever feel like your thoughts are actively working against your midlife health goals? Like, the moment you decide to try something new, your brain slams the brakes on with excuses like, "That's too hard," "I don't have time," or the classic, "My family will never eat that"? You are absolutely not alone!  In my first-ever Ask Me Anything episode of The Family Fork, I tackle the questions that are truly keeping busy, midlife moms stuck.  These are the real, raw struggles that pop up when you're navigating perimenopause, weight loss, and the daily chaos of family life. We're diving deep into the mindset traps that lead to overwhelm and overthinking, and I'm handing you the exact framework I teach my clients to break free. Spoiler Alert: It's not about being more disciplined or motivated. It's about training your brain to stop letting difficult feelings (like frustration and defeat) give you permission to do nothing at all. We're talking about everything from the dinner dilemma—how to eat anti-inflammatory when your family demands predictable meals—to overcoming major setbacks like injuries or health complications. I promise you, there are simple, effective ways to move forward, even when you feel totally overwhelmed, your family is pushing back, or life has thrown you an unexpected curveball (like a shoulder injury or, yep, even breast cancer).  You deserve to feel strong, healthy, and confident, and it all starts with noticing the stories your brain is telling you and choosing to push forward anyway. Let's figure this out together! What we cover in this episode: 🥑 The Dinner Dilemma Solved: How to eat the anti-inflammatory meals you need for perimenopause health while keeping your family (and your partner!) happy, without cooking separate dinners. (It's not your job to make everyone happy, but you can definitely compromise!) 🥑 The Power of Your Thoughts: Why letting yourself feel frustrated or defeated leads to giving up on your goals, and how that resentment builds toward your family. 🥑 The Overwhelm Trap: Why overwhelm and overthinking are simply the avoidance of feelings (like guilt, embarrassment, or disappointment), and how your brain uses this trap to give you permission to do nothing. 🥑 The Curiosity Cure: The simple, powerful two-step framework for getting unstuck: first, Notice the thoughts that stop you, and second, Get Curious to start collecting data and moving forward (risk-free!). 🥑 Bouncing Back from Setbacks: My personal story of navigating breast cancer and a double mastectomy and the exact mental shift you need to make to stop getting stuck in "survival mode" when life throws you an injury or major complication. More Support For You 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me 🍳 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 THINK Your Way To Weight Loss 📌 Connect on Instagram
63: Does Perimenopause Impact Gut Health?
2025/11/11
You hear the phrase everywhere: gut health. It's on product labels, social media, and talked about by every wellness guru. But what does that even mean? More importantly, how does your gut health get impacted in perimenopause? And how are you supposed to fix it when you're already juggling a full life? Trust me, I get it. For years, I struggled with mystery symptoms that felt completely disconnected, from bizarre skin rashes and sore joints to an inability to lose weight and chronic anxiety. It wasn't until I dug in and tested that I discovered the root cause: my gut was out of balance. In this episode, I’m digging into the science of your gut microbiome, how fluctuating perimenopause hormones slow everything down (hello constipation!), and why your typical weight loss strategies feel impossible now. I’m also going to get a little vulnerable with you and share my own personal story, including my decade-long battle with SIBO and candida overgrowth. If you're struggling with constant gas, bloating (especially an hour after eating!), and feeling "backed up", this is an episode you can't miss! In this episode, we're talking about: ✅ The Gut Microbiome, Simplified: A clear breakdown of what your "gut" actually is and the one thing it hates more than anything (hint: it's in your pantry right now). ✅ Hormones vs. Your Digestion: Why the drop in estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause is slowing your digestive tract down and causing a chaotic backup. ✅ Symptom Checker: The weird, surprising symptoms—like skin rashes, sore joints, and mental health issues—that can actually be clues to poor gut health. ✅ Easy Fixes That Actually Work: Simple, concrete steps you can take today, like a quick post-meal walk (without your phone!) and the non-negotiable diet change you need to make now. ✅ Your Family's Gut Health Matters: My slightly weird (but effective) ways to monitor my family’s gut health to keep the whole household healthier and happier. You have the power to take control, even during perimenopause! Let's get to the root cause of your symptoms and start feeling vibrant again. Resources Mentioned: FREE 21-Day Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan More Support For You 🙋‍♀️ Work with Me 🍳 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week 🧠 THINK Your Way To Weight Loss 📌 Connect on Instagram
62: Perimenopause Nutrition on a Budget
2025/11/04
Today, we're diving into one of my favorite topics: food! But we're not just talking about what to eat; we're talking about how to do it without spending a fortune. I know what you might be thinking—eating healthy, especially with an anti-inflammatory focus, is expensive. Maybe you have a big family to feed, or maybe you’re cooking for just a couple of people now that the kids are grown. Maybe your budget is tight. Whatever the reason, I want you to hear this loud and clear: eating healthy is accessible to everyone. While some "healthy" foods can be pricey, I often find that my clients are spending a ton of money on pre-packaged things labeled as healthy, when the secret to saving money (and feeling great!) is sticking to whole foods in their most basic form. In this episode, I'm sharing my top seven ways to eat healthy, anti-inflammatory foods on a budget. Get ready to take some notes because these are my go-to strategies for making every dollar count. Here's a taste of what we’ll cover: Why a warehouse store membership might be the best investment for your health (and your wallet!) 💸The secret to saving money when buying animal proteinUsing frozen and canned produce to save money and get high qualityWhy you don’t need to buy organic to see real results in your health and weight lossWhy a grocery list is your secret weapon against food waste (and budget-busting impulse buys)How to get your mindset right so you can make healthy food a priority, no matter what your budget is I hope this episode helps you feel more confident about shopping for healthy food without breaking the bank. Healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive, and when it’s paired with delicious, family-friendly recipes, you’ll feel better, lose weight, and have a much better chance at reaching your health goals! More Support For You - Healthy, anti-inflammatory store bought snacks: FREE shopping guide -How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week -Work with Me -Connect on Instagram 
61: How To Lose 1 Lb/Week In Perimenopause
2025/10/28
Feel like you'll never get anywhere with perimenopause weight loss? You're not alone! It can feel like your body is working against you, making it impossible to see consistent results. You might be exhausted, feeling a little fluffy around the middle, and wondering if this is just your new normal. I see you, and I get it. But what if you didn’t have to give up? What if there was a different way? This week, I’m sharing five simple, powerful steps to help you lose one pound a week consistently, so you can stop yo-yo dieting forever. It's not about doing more; it's about doing things differently, in a way that actually works with your body in perimenopause. This approach should feel different from anything you've tried before, but that’s the whole point. In this episode, we’ll uncover: 📌 The REAL reason you’ve struggled with consistency in the past, and how to fix it from the inside out. (Hint: it’s not willpower!) 📌 The one simple habit you need to ditch right now if you want to lose weight and stop cravings in their tracks. 📌 A game-changing breakfast swap that will stabilize your blood sugar, boost your energy, and keep you full all day long. 📌 How to move differently, to reduce inflammation and finally build a strong, lean, and energetic body. 📌 The secret to lasting weight loss that will help you break free from the frustrating cycle of dieting and give you a sense of peace and control. If you’re ready to stop feeling defeated and start feeling strong and in control again, this episode is for you. Let's make this the beginning of your most consistent and confident health journey yet! Mentioned in this episode: FREE GUIDE: 5 Steps To Lose 1 Lb/Week in Perimenopause More Support For You -Work with Me -How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week -Connect on Instagram

Podcast reviews

Read The Family Fork: Nutrition For Moms In Perimenopause podcast reviews


4.7 out of 5
12 reviews
★★★★★
madelynfur 2025/01/08
Start the new year in the best way!
Every single episode Ashley shares is full of practical tips! I love how she shows that nutrition and planning out meals can be simple and delicious. ...
★★★★★
Amanda_6 2024/12/26
Healthy Eating Made Simple and Doable!
Ashley and her guests are a breath of fresh air for busy families striving for better health. With practical tips and mindset gems, she makes healthy ...
★★★★★
HollyHaynes 2024/09/18
So motivating!
Ashley gives so much amazing advice about holistic ways to lose weight and be healthy in a way that works for busy families and working moms. I look f...
★★★★★
MollDollGort 2024/09/13
Practical! Encouraging! Thyroid AND Menopause Addressed!
Finally, something so enjoyable and simple to listen to! SO many great, practical tips to take the “next right step” in your health. Thyroid, Menopa...
★★★★★
Filluptospillout 2024/09/10
So helpful!
Ashley is a wealth of knowledge and I know this podcast is going to be so hopeful for midseason women like myself! Can’t wait to keep listening!
★★★★★
cla0715 2024/09/10
Exciting!
So excited about this podcast! I look forward to learning more about healthy eating and listening to this podcast gives me hope that yes, we can eat h...
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