Women’s Health Unwrapped
Episode 129:
Shift work and hormonal health: Smart eating strategies for women
Does your work hours and pattern hold you back from eating healthier?
“Small tweaks, like cutting sugar in your tea or swapping crisps for nuts, can make a huge difference over time.”
— Nicola Farndell
“Your digestive system goes to sleep when it gets dark, so eating late at night means you're fighting against your body's natural rhythms.”
— Anna Earl
In this episode of Women’s Health Unwrapped:
Are irregular work hours affecting your health and energy levels? Maybe you’re one of the 4 million people in the UK who work shifts and struggle with the disruption this causes? If you're a shift worker or simply navigating an unpredictable schedule, this episode is a must-listen.
I’m joined by nutritionist and lifestyle medicine expert Anna Earl to discuss the impact of shift work on metabolism, digestion, and long-term health. We explore the concept of chrono-nutrition, which emphasises the importance of aligning eating patterns with the body's natural rhythms.
Our conversation also delves into workplace culture, the science behind nutrition and body clocks, and practical tips for making healthier choices while working irregular hours. Anna shares the importance of viewing nutrition as a lifestyle change rather than a short-term diet and we chat about the challenges faced by midlife women, particularly during hormonal changes like perimenopause and menopause, and how nutrition plays a crucial role in managing symptoms. Anna shares practical, easy-to-implement tips to help you maintain energy, regulate your body clock, and feel your best, even when your schedule is all over the place.
The key highlights from our conversation are:
How shift work disrupts digestion and increases chronic disease risk.
The science behind chrono-nutrition and why timing your meals matters.
Why workplace culture can make or break healthy eating habits.
Simple food swaps and meal prep strategies to fuel your body effectively.
The importance of community support in building healthier habits and enhancing motivation for healthy eating.
Why nutrition should be viewed as a lifestyle change, not a diet.
How hormonal changes affect metabolism and insulin production.
How midlife women can adjust their diet to support hormonal balance.
That stress management is crucial for effective weight management.
The ripple effect of making positive changes to your diet in your wider wellbeing.
About Anna Earl:
I’m Anna Earl, a former police officer, now a nutritional therapist specialising in nutrition and lifestyle medicine to support shift workers. Shift work puts you at an increased risk of a range of chronic health conditions. But there are ways to mitigate this. My area of expertise is Chrono-nutrition; the relationship between our 24-hour body clocks, food intake and timing, digestion and health. I deliver solution-based programmes to promote health and energy whilst navigating shift work.
Connect with Anna:
Want to improve your diet?
But struggling to make better choices?
Eating healthier can feel like it’s a lot of effort, especially when you’re navigating work, family life, and menopause symptoms.
In my FREE menopause guide I share 10 powerful tips to help you build healthier habits, including ones to start improving your diet.
Download my free guide to get started below:
‘10 Ways to Feel Good Again: Your Perimenopausal Revival Guide’
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