Why I Don’t Snack After 59 - And Why You Might Not Need to Either
What Happened When I Ditched Snacks After 59
Have you ever been told that the secret to staying healthy is to eat six times a day, three meals and three snacks? Maybe you’ve carried a protein bar in your purse, grabbed a handful of nuts in the afternoon, or poured just one more coffee with cream because your energy was slipping.
I lived that way too. I thought I was doing it “right.” But the truth? It left me tired, bloated, and always hungry for something else.
My Old “Healthy Snacker” Life
I used to be what I called a healthy snacker. An apple here, a banana there some cheese. And if I didn’t? I was convinced I might pass out. I can’t even count how many times I felt that wave of lightheadedness, the kind where you think, If I don’t eat something right now, I’ll faint on the spot.
Have you ever felt that way?
Funny thing is, I wasn’t living on chips or candy, I thought I was doing better than that. But even my “healthy snacks” kept me stuck on a blood sugar rollercoaster.
Coffee wasn’t part of my life until last year, mostly because I didn’t like the taste. Then, when I finally got my taste and smell back, I thought I’d give it a try. But those creamers? Don’t even get me started. Why does one little splash of flavor need an ingredient list that reads like a science project?
The Challenge That Shook Me
Five years ago, my son, Brian, challenged me to eat better. This is the same son who had been a vegan for years and then shocked me by switching to carnivore. I did not see that one coming. But I couldn’t deny what I saw with my own eyes: he looked healthier, stronger, more alive.
And have you ever noticed how someone else’s transformation can quietly poke at you? You watch them change and start to wonder, if it’s working for them… what if it could work for me too?
So no, I didn’t go carnivore. But I did take his challenge seriously. I began to shift more protein, less grazing, no mindless snacking.
Brian was about four months ahead of me, which turned out to be such a gift. We compared notes, swapped struggles, and celebrated little victories together. Having someone to walk alongside and to cheer me on made all the difference.
The Grouchy First Week
Let’s be real: the first week was rough. I was grouchy. My body complained loud and clear: Where are my snacks?!
Maybe you’ve felt that too, you make a change, and suddenly you’re not just hungry, you’re hangry. (Trust me, my family noticed.)
But here’s the good news: it didn’t last. In just a few days, something surprising happened. The dizzy spells stopped. The lightheadedness that used to scare me gone. For the first time in years, I wasn’t chasing my blood sugar anymore.
What Really Happens When You Snack All Day
Have you ever noticed that the more you snack, the hungrier you feel? You tell yourself it’s just a little something.
That’s because every time you take a bite, your body has to start the digestion process all over again. Your stomach never really rests. Your blood sugar spikes, then drops, leaving you searching for the next pick-me-up. And your insulin, that little switch that tells your body whether to store fat or burn it, stays stuck in the “on” position.
It’s a lot like running your dishwasher. Imagine starting a load, and then every 20 minutes opening it up to throw in one more dirty fork. The poor machine would never finish the cycle. The dishes would stay half-washed, and the dishwasher itself would get overworked.
That’s what constant snacking does to your body. You never give your digestive system the chance to finish its job. No wonder you feel tired, bloated, and unsatisfied.
Life Without Snacks
As I leaned into fewer meals, I started with three balanced, protein-anchored ones each day. That gave me stability. Over time, I realized I didn’t even need three. Now I eat two simple meals a day. Dinner is my anchor steak, meatballs, maybe my favorite cabbage dish. The next day, I’ll reheat the leftovers for lunch, and sometimes I’ll add in a couple of eggs. Easy, filling, and so much calmer than grazing all day.
And guess what? No fainting. No dizzy spells. No crashing at 3 p.m.
Honestly, sometimes I laugh at myself I was so afraid to stop snacking. I thought I’d collapse without a granola bar in my purse. Turns out, the only thing collapsing was my energy because of all that snacking.
What Changed for Me
Here’s what I noticed after I ditched snacks:
My cravings dropped dramatically.
My energy felt steady all day.
My mind was clearer.
I wasn’t thinking about food constantly.
Can you imagine going through your afternoon without the crash, without that desperate search for “something” to keep you going? That’s what it feels like now.
What This Could Mean for You
Friend, I don’t share this to hand you a new rulebook. I share it because I want you to know there’s another way.
If you’ve been told to snack your way to health but you’re still tired, still bloated, still craving maybe it’s not you that’s broken. Maybe it’s the advice.
What if your body doesn’t need constant grazing?
What if two or three real, protein-rich meals could actually set you free?
What if letting your body rest between meals gave you the steady energy you’ve been chasing?
It’s a lot like your dishwasher. You wouldn’t keep opening the door every 20 minutes to toss in one more dirty fork the poor machine would never finish the cycle. That’s what constant snacking does to your body. But when you give it space, your body has time to fully process, reset, and run the way it was designed to.
It happened for me. And I believe it could happen for you too.
Reflection Question for You
Have you been snacking all day but still feeling unsatisfied?
What would it look like for you to trade those little bites for a couple of nourishing meals instead?
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