Changed for Good: A 13-Year Menu Audit

On Boxing Day, I got around to seeing the second Wicked film - FINALLY! While I’m not one to get emotional at the movies, the themes of the film—growth, perspective, and how people evolve over time—stuck with me long after the lights came up.

It’s easy to feel like you’re the same person you’ve always been, until you’re hit with cold, hard evidence to the contrary. For me, that evidence arrived via a Facebook memory from 13 years ago.

The 13-Year Time Capsule

Facebook Memories of 19-Year-Old Festive Feasts

The post was a snapshot of my Christmas menu at 19. It was a heavy, dairy-centric lineup: Baked camembert, chicken cacciatore, and mini creamy pavlovas.

19-year-old me would never have dreamed of a Christmas dinner that wasn't anchored by cheese. The idea of a plate dominated by vegetables, Brussels sprouts, and lentils would have seemed like a mistake - or even a punishment! But today, I even opted for a peppermint tea over a hot chocolate. The realization hit me: I’ve become my mother.

The Fast Food Epiphany

The shift became even clearer today when I ordered some fast food. This time last year, I would have loved it. It was my go-to "comfort" choice. But today? I actually found it hard to enjoy.

It’s a strange feeling when something you used to crave suddenly tastes... "meh." I’m not sure if it’s the physical heaviness, the disappointment in the flavour, or just the nagging knowledge of what that level of saturated fat is actually doing to my body and how it’s aging me. Whatever the reason, the magic is gone. The "treat" didn't feel like a reward; it felt like a setback.

Pride Over Horror

In the past, "becoming your parents" was framed as a mid-life crisis. But as I look at these changes, I don’t feel horror—I feel pride.

The transition hasn't been about restriction for the sake of it; it’s been a calculated move toward better self-maintenance. Over the last few years, I’ve put in the work to understand what actually makes my body function well. My current "progress report" looks a lot different than it used to:

• Whole Food, Plant-Based: Moving away from heavy meats and cheeses toward lentils and greens.

  
  

• Strategic Hydration: Choosing water and herbal tea over sugary alternatives.

  
  

• Knowledge as Power: Understanding the long-term impact of what I eat.

  
  

The Long Game

It’s funny how we can change so fundamentally without noticing it in the moment. I haven’t lost my love for good food; I’ve just redefined what "good" means. It’s no longer just about the immediate hit of salt or fat; it’s about how I feel three hours—or even three years—down the line.

I’m working hard to make progress toward a healthier version of myself, and today was the perfect reminder of how far that journey has already taken me.

Over to You

I’m curious about your own "lightbulb moments."

What is one thing you’ve started doing (or stopped enjoying!) that would have baffled your younger self? Is there a food you used to love that just doesn't hit the spot anymore?

Let’s talk about how you’ve changed for the better in the comments.