Ageless eating

Our 30s, 40s and 50s are often a time we eat due to boredom, stress, ingrained habits or other emotional factors, says Howells. ‘Having the odd bit of cake or chocolate is nothing to worry about. But if you’re regularly eating in a way that makes you feel unhealthy, or snacking when you’re not even hungry, then you need to think about what’s going on,’ she says.

‘Questioning your eating habits is often more helpful than just banning certain foods or trying to diet in the traditional sense. Try to break food associations, like chocolate in the afternoons, snacking when you’re on deadline and so on. Try to be more mindful of what and why you’re eating.’

Another key is to keep in mind your blood-sugar levels, she adds. ‘Blood-sugar balance is a good place to start, because it helps with sugar cravings, tiredness and energy slumps. So avoid sugary foods and drinks and you’ll quickly notice the difference it makes to your body and energy levels.

‘Eat plenty of good fat, too. Hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone are actually steroid hormones that are derived from cholesterol. This means that in order for them to be created, you’ll need to consume fat and cholesterol on a regular basis. Additionally, since having higher levels of these hormones is associated with an increased amount of fat metabolism, it makes sense that you should have a higher intake of fat in your diet. So eat oily fish, nuts, seeds and oil, alongside eggs, lots of vegetables and fruit.’