Protein gets plenty of attention and for good reason. It helps us maintain muscle, strength, and independence as we age. But while we're counting grams of protein, another important question may be getting overlooked: Where are the vegetables? In this episode of The Talking Apron, Anne Bernardin looks at why a protein-rich plate isn't necessarily a balanced plate. She explores the important role vegetables play in providing fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protective plant compounds and why most Americans aren't eating enough of them. You'll also hear how fiber feeds beneficial gut bacteria, supports the production of short-chain fatty acids, and influences natural GLP-1 signaling in the intestine. This isn't about eating less protein. It's about making room on the plate for the foods that protein cannot replace.

Episode #137: Healthy Habits After 60: Why Small Changes Work Better Than Willpower After a little time away, The Talking Apron is back—with a fresh perspective on nutrition, habits, and healthy aging. And we're starting with a question that matters more as we get older: Why is it so hard to make healthy changes, even when we know exactly what we should be doing? The answer may have less to do with willpower than you think. In this episode, Anne Bernardin, Nutrition Educator and Certified Diabetes Prevention Coach, explores why relying on motivation can keep us stuck—and why small, repeatable habits are often a much better strategy for creating lasting change after 60. We'll talk about why your brain prefers familiar routines, the difference between motivation and habit, how your environment influences your choices, and why making a habit smaller can actually make it more successful. You don't need to overhaul your diet, exercise every day, or suddenly become incredibly disciplined. You need a place to begin. Maybe it's drinking a glass of water when you wake up. Adding vegetables to one meal. Taking a ten-minute walk. Or finally picking up those weights sitting in the corner. Small doesn't mean insignificant. Those small choices are votes for the person you're becoming—and over time, they can change how you age. The Talking Apron: Conversations About Nutrition, Habits and Healthy Aging. Changing how we age, one small habit at a time.

Do you have aching joints, low energy, blood sugar that feels harder to manage than it use to? If this sounds familiar, chronic inflammation may be part of the story. In this The Talking Apron: Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention and Nutrition podcast, Anne Bernardin breaks down what inflammation really is, why it increases with age, and most importantly, how everyday foods can help calm it naturally. You'll learn: The difference between healpful and harmful inflammation why chronic inflammation affects blood sugar, joints and engery Which foods help quiet inflammation without dieting How to build a simple anti inflammatory plate that fits real life. This episode isn't about restriction or perfection, it's about understanding how food communicates with your body and using that knowledge to feel better, one meal at a time. Plus, Anne invites you to join her FREE Facebook group of the same name: Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention & Nutrition Education, where food, habits and confidence come together. Pull up a chair, your apron's waiting. FREE Facebook Group

Why do most women over 60 struggle to keep weight off and stabilize blood sugar, even when they are motivated? In this The Talking Apron podcast: Diabetes Prevention & Nutrition, episode #135 Small Daily Habits After 60: The Science of Lasting Weight & Blood Sugar Change. Anne breaks down the science of habit formation, aging metabolism, and why small daily changes outperform motivation every time. You'll learn: Why will power fades (and what actually works) The 66 day rule of habit formation.. does it really work? Simple daily habits that lower blood sugar naturally. Why sustainable change requires structure, not intensity If you're navigating prediabetes, stubborn belly weight or fluctuating energy, this episode explains why patience and repetition are your greatest tools. Enrollment is now open for Aging with Strength & Confidence, a structured six month program for women 60+ ready to build lasting health. Begin March 2, 2026 Aging with Strength & Confidence Interesting in Joining us? Email: [email protected]

Hey there friends, Glad you are here! "Leaky Gut" is one of the most confusing and fear-based terms in nutrition right now. In this episode, Anne Bernardin, breaks it down in plain, practical language. You'll learn what leaky gut really means, what it doesn't and why it's not a diagnosis or reason to fear food. We'll talk about how gut health connects to inflammation and blood sugar, especially for women over 60 and what actually supports a healthier gut without extreme diets or expensive supplements. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, blamed or confused by gut health advice, this episode will bring clarity, calm, and confidence back to your kitchen. Plus, Anne shares sumple realistic steps that support digestion, energy and blood sugar, one meal at a time. Join the FREE Facebook group: Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention & Nutrition Education for continued learning and support. Best, from Anne and The Talking Apron team

Howdy Folks, Hydration isn't just about drinking more water, especially after 60. In this episode of the Diabetes Prevention and Nutrition Podcast, Anne Bernardin explains why hydration becomes more important as we age, how water supports cellular health, and the often overlooked connection between dehydration and higher blood sugar. You'll learn: Why thirst singnals weaken after 60 How hydration affects blood sugar, digestion and energy Why hydrating foods matter as much as beverages Simple, realistic habits to support hydration without overwhelm If you're navigating prediabetes, rising A1c numbers, or want to ae with confidence and clarity, this episode will help you understand why water matters more now, and how to make hydration a natural part of you day. Join the FREE Facebook group: Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention & Nutrition Education for support, education, and community. Best, Anne

Hello and Welcome! You Don't Need a New Diet, You Need Fiber First! If you've been told your blood sugar is "borderline", your A1c is creaping up or you're simply trying to prevent diabetes as you age, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Anne Bernardin Diabetes Prevention Coach and Nutrition Educator introduces, the importance of eating fiber first, one of the simplest and most effective changes women over 60 can make to support steady blood sugar. You'll learn why when you eat fiber matters just as much as how much, how starting meals with vegetables can calm glucose spikes, and how this small shift can reduce cravings, improve digestion, and bring confidence back to everyday neals without dieting, or giving up foods that you love. This episode is practical, encouraging, and designed for real life. No food rules. No perfection. Just a calm doable strategy your can try at your very next meal Listen in and discover how one gentle change can make eating feel easier again. Best, Anne JOIN the free Facebook Group Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention and Nutrition Education

Hello Folks, The holiday's or specifically, since it is Christmas Day when this podcast goes live, often comes after weeks, sometimes decades of giving to everyone else. In this short special holiday episode of Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention & Nutrition Podcast, Anne invites you to pause and receive a different kind of gift: self-care that protects our health future. If you're a woman over 60 concerned about rising A1c levels, prediabetes, or a family history of type 2 diabetes, this episode offers reassurance, clarity, and a gentle path forward, without dieting or restriction. In this episode, you'll learn: What selfcare really looks like for women 60+ (and why it matters for blood sugar) How stress, skipped meals, and guilt quietly raise glucose levels A calm doable way of healthier eating that supports diabetes prevention This Christmas Day episode is about kindness, consistency, and choosing progress over perfection, one meal, one habit, one steady step at a time. Join us to keep up the progress in the Free Facebook Group Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention and Nutrition Education

Hello Friends, Today's episode marks an important new chapter for this podcast. As more and more women over 60 reach out with questions, fears, and a desire for guidance on blood sugar and nutrition, it became clear that this space needed to evolve, so it truly reflects your needs and your health journey. And it will now be dropped on the and 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, In this foundational episode, we talk about the changes happening in your body right now, biological, digestive, and metabolic and why blood sugar can become harder to control with age. NOT because you're doing anything wrong, but because your body is speaking a little louder. You'll learn What's actually shifting in metabolism, muscle mass, and insulin response after 60 Why the same foods you've always eaten may affect you differently today. How stress sleep and daily routines quietly infuence fasting numbers Why knowledge not perfection is the most powerful tool for prevention And you'll hear how this podcat is expanding into a supportive community space where women just like you can learn, ask questions, and get steady guidance for the everyday challenges of nutrition and blood sugar control. Best, Anne Join others now : Women 60+ Diabetes Prevention and Nutrition Education Facebook group.

Hey Friends, Welcome.. your gut isn't just about digestion, it's a full blown emotional control center. In this week's episode we explore how the foods you choose can influence your mood, cravings, stress response and even how steady your blood sugar feels though out the day. You'll learn: Why 90% of your serotonin, the "steady mood" chemical is made in your gut. How your gut bacteria responds instantly to what you eat Why fiber and color on your plate directly affects your emotional resilience The reason gut inflammation can trigger cravings, fatique and higher glucose Simple ingredients and easy meals that support calmer moods through the gut With easy kitchen examples and tiny habits you can start today, you'll walk away feeling more in control of your mood and your meals and be encouraged to use your kitchen as the place your emotional health begins. Plus: Don't miss the free guide mentioned in the episode "5 Hacks to Lower Blood Sugar FAST, a quick video start resource to steady your day right away. Pull up a chair, your gut and your mood are about to become good friends.