The Truth in the Twinkie: Why We Stayed Skinny in the 80s We weren’t counting carbs—we were counting fish sticks. If you survived on bologna, powdered milk, and your grandma’s leftovers, this one’s for you. Our “accidental diets” weren’t planned—they were a result of hard times, early store closings, and no delivery apps. We were broke, busy, and somehow still fit in our Toughskins.
Fast Food Closed by 8PM, Y’all No DoorDash. No late-night munchies. If you missed dinner, tough luck. And that was a blessing in disguise. Most nights, we had to eat what was at home or go to bed hungry.
We Were Skinny Because Life Was Active and Snacks Were Scarce
- We walked—to school, the store, and friends’ houses
- We had real recess (and sometimes a black eye from dodgeball)
- We drank hose water (and lived!)
- Snacks? Homemade if you were lucky
Enter: Perimenopause, PFAS, and All the Things Now? We’re marinating in toxins. PFAS in the water. Estrogen-mimicking chemicals in shampoo. Microplastics in our bloodstreams. And don’t get me started on the food labels. Our hormones are in survival mode, y’all.
Why Clean Eating Was Easier When You Were Broke
- No one had money for takeout
- Dinner came from a Crock-Pot, not a drive-thru
- Your grandma’s Sunday chicken fed everyone twice
Gen X Parenting Truths: We’re Tired, But We’re Trying We’re raising kids in a world we don’t even recognize. And while we try to model wellness, we’re also navigating full-time jobs, perimenopause, autoimmune issues, and the rising cost of lettuce.
Budget-Friendly Detox Tips for Real-Life Women
- Buy beans and rice in bulk
- Filter your water (start with a Brita if that’s what the budget says)
- Avoid synthetic fragrance (those plug-ins? Toss ‘em!)
- Google anything you can’t pronounce
Closing Truth Bomb It wasn’t a diet. It was survival. We didn’t choose clean eating—we just couldn’t afford junk food every night. Now we fight new battles with old grit. And we’re still standing.
About the Author
A.L. Childers is a Southern-rooted truth-teller, bestselling author, and lifelong survivor of both government cheese and thyroid dysfunction. She writes with humor, heart, and a heavy dose of “bless your heart but here’s the truth.”
🛒 Grab the book: amazon.com/author/alchilders
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