Somewhere between my late 30s and early 40s, my body started staging a quiet rebellion. I didn’t notice it all at once, but little by little, certain foods and drinks that I used to love stopped loving me back. Now, as a 42-year-old woman smack in the middle of perimenopause, I find myself mourning the carefree days when I could eat whatever I wanted after 8 p.m. and not suffer the consequences.

Here are the foods and drinks I’ve reluctantly had to break up with—or at least keep at arm’s length.

 Wine
Ah, wine. My old friend. We’ve shared many a cozy night together, but somewhere along the way, you turned on me. One glass leaves me flushed, two gives me a pounding headache, and forget about sleeping through the night. It’s like instant night sweats and restless tossing. I still enjoy the occasional glass, but the days of carefree second pours are definitely over.

 Too Much Coffee
Coffee is still a must-have in my daily routine, but more than two cups and my system goes haywire. My heart races, my anxiety spikes, and sleep becomes a distant memory. I used to live for that afternoon pick-me-up latte, but now I know it’s a one-way ticket to being wide awake at midnight, staring at the ceiling.

 Acidic Foods (Especially After 6 p.m.)
Pizza, spaghetti, tacos with salsa—my trifecta of comfort food. The problem? Acid reflux. If I eat anything too tomato-heavy after 6 p.m., I’ll be sitting up in bed with burning indigestion all night. It’s heartbreaking to say no to late-night pizza, but unless I want to sleep sitting upright, it’s not worth it anymore.

 Bacon
This one hurts. Bacon is delicious, but my body no longer thanks me for indulging. The salt, the grease—it just lingers and makes me feel sluggish, bloated, and way less fabulous than I’d like. My younger self could demolish a bacon cheeseburger without a second thought, but my 42-year-old self pays the price for days.

 Overly Sweet Foods
I used to crush cupcakes and doughnuts without issue. Now, even a small sugar bomb makes me crash within an hour. My energy tanks, my mood dips, and my stomach churns. A little dark chocolate? Totally fine. But frosted anything or giant slices of cake? Sadly, no longer my friend.

The Bottom Line
Middle age brings changes we don’t always want to admit. For me, it means learning what my body can (and cannot) handle. While I still indulge every now and then, I’m finding that balance—and listening to my body—is the real key.

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. What I’ve lost in food freedom, I’ve gained in self-awareness. And hey, a glass of water, some herbal tea, and an early bedtime really aren’t so bad after all.

What foods can you no longer eat?