After 40 do you eat the same as before but feel worse? Here's why it really happens

One of the most common myths is that after 40 the metabolism stops working. In reality, as many nutritionists and dietitians explain, it simply becomes less tolerant to repeated mistakes.

That hearty pasta dish, evening dessert or frequent aperitif that left no trace at age 25 are now asking for the bill. Not because you are eating "badly," but because the body is less willing to compensate.

After the age of 40, significant hormonal changes come into play. In women, perimenopause approaches, while in men testosterone begins to gradually decline.

Here is what happens in the body:

• greater accumulation of fat, especially in the abdominal area
• less efficient management of sugars
• increased "silent," often invisible but constant inflammation

Many nutrition professionals agree on one key point: it is not so much the amount of food that makes a difference, but the way the body metabolizes and uses it.

If you find yourself feeling bloated after age 40 even when you eat "as usual," know that this is a very common situation. It often depends not on what you put on your plate, but on how your body reacts to those same foods today. In fact, as time passes, the digestive system changes and becomes more sensitive. As you age, you alter:

• the production of digestive enzymes
• the composition of the intestinal microbiota
• the tolerance to sugars, lactose and refined foods.

This explains why foods you have always eaten begin to bother you. It's not sudden intolerance, it's failed adaptation.

One aspect that is often underestimated, especially after the age of 40, is sleep. Little or poor sleep directly affects the hormones that regulate hunger and satiety, changing the relationship with food even when the diet remains unchanged.

Here is what can happen when sleep is not quality:

• increased cravings for sugar and quick carbohydrates
• less control over portions, especially at the end of the day
• feeling of constant fatigue and drops in energy throughout the day

According to many clinical nutritionists, nutrition and sleep quality after age 40 are closely linked: improving rest often means eating better without even realizing it.

Another key point: we move less, even without realizing it. Sedentary work, less free time, more stress. The problem is not eating the same as before, but eating the same while moving much less.

Here's what often changes after 40:

• less muscle mass
• less daily caloric expenditure
• slower recovery

Despite the changes that come after the age of 40, it is not necessary to completely upset one's eating habits. The body does not ask for drastic renunciations, but for more conscious and targeted choices capable of accompanying an evolving physiology.

Many nutrition professionals agree on this point: small adjustments, if done in the right way, can improve digestion, energy and overall well-being far more than a strict diet followed for a few weeks.

Here are some adjustments recommended by many nutrition professionals:

• Give more room to protein and fiber
• Reduce sugars and ultra-processed foods (even if "always eaten")
• Eating on a more regular schedule
• Take care of bowels and sleep
• Incorporate constant, non-extreme movement

After the age of 40, we don't eat "worse"-we eat the same as before in a body that has changed. Understanding this avoids frustration, guilt and unnecessary dieting.

The real secret is to listen to the signals, make small adjustments and, if necessary, confront a nutrition professional who can read the context, not just the calories. The body is not betraying you: it is just asking you to grow with it.