76: Marriage & Midlife: Behind The Scenes With My Husband

The Family Fork: Nutrition For Moms In Perimenopause

The Family Fork: Nutrition For Moms In Perimenopause
76: Marriage & Midlife: Behind The Scenes With My Husband
Feb 10, 2026
Hosted by Ashley Malik | Insights inspired by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Dr. Mark Hyman, and Mel Robbins

Struggling to get your partner on board with your healthy eating? Is your spouse "mostly" supportive of how you feel in perimenopause, but you wish he knew more?

Juggling perimenopause and midlife health challenges is hard enough on your own, but when you’re in a marriage or long-term partnership, your health journey isn't just yours—it's a shared experience that impacts your relationship, your social life, and your family dinner table.

In this very special episode I’m joined by my husband, Asim. He has been by my side since the very beginning of my health journey, back when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s and severe nutrient deficiencies at 38. From the "What on earth is a nightshade?" phase to navigating my breast cancer treatment and now full-blown menopause, Asim has seen it all.

We chat about the friction points, like how my decision to stop drinking alcohol changed our "party friend" dynamic, and how we managed the transition to an anti-inflammatory household without him feeling like he was living on water and air.

My hope is that this episode serves as a conversation starter for you and your partner. Whether you need more "buy-in" on healthy meals or you're struggling to explain why your energy levels have tanked, this behind-the-scenes look will show you that while the journey is long, it pays massive dividends in the end.

What You’ll Learn:

📌 Getting Partner Buy-In: How to bridge the gap when one partner is "all in" on health and the other is skeptical or overwhelmed.

📌 Navigating Social Shifts: The reality of how relationships change when you ditch the happy hours and prioritize energy levels over social expectations.

📌 The Ripple Effect: How a health crisis can actually become the catalyst for a stronger, more vibrant marriage and a healthier future for your children.

This episode is a must-listen, and if it resonates, I encourage you to share it with your spouse/partner. It will give them a better understanding of what you're going through, and how they can be supportive every step of the way!


More Support And Ways To Connect

🙋‍♀️ Work with Me
⭐️ Connect on Social
🥑 How I Cook Just 3 Nights/Week
🧠 Mindset Framework to Stop Relying On Willpower or Motivation

Episode Artwork 76: Marriage & Midlife: Behind The Scenes With My Husband 40:59 Episode Artwork 75: Perimenopause and Cravings: The Connection and the Solution 33:55 Episode Artwork 74: Alcohol & Perimenopause: The Truth About Midlife Drinking 33:56 Episode Artwork 73: (Part 2) Perimenopause Weight Loss: 5-Step Framework for Success 22:41 Episode Artwork 72: (Part 1) Perimenopause Weight Loss: Your Simple Strategy For Nutrition and Workouts 22:31 Episode Artwork 71: You Aren't Behind: New Year Pep Talk For Midlife Women 45:51 Episode Artwork 70: THE Mindset Shift for Successful Health Resolutions 32:24 Episode Artwork 69: The Truth About My "Healthiest Year Ever" 25:34 Episode Artwork 68: Ditch the Diet: 5 Secrets for Sustainable Weight Loss 21:45 Episode Artwork 67: Traveling on an Anti-Inflammatory Diet 28:15 Episode Artwork 66: Pop Quiz: Why You Can't Lose Weight In Perimenopause 27:07 Episode Artwork 65: Holidays with Perimenopause: Smart Strategies for Food and Alcohol 19:47 Episode Artwork 64: Ask Me Anything: Perimenopause, Weight Loss, and Family Meals 28:10 Episode Artwork 63: Does Perimenopause Impact Gut Health? 18:44 Episode Artwork 62: Perimenopause Nutrition on a Budget 25:07 Episode Artwork 61: How To Lose 1 Lb/Week In Perimenopause 20:20 Episode Artwork 60: Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Weight Loss: Does It Work? 21:13 Episode Artwork 59: 5 Biggest Health Mistakes I've Made (So You Don't Have To) 21:36 Episode Artwork 58: Busy Mom's Guide to Fast, Healthy Meals 19:04 Episode Artwork 57: How My Darkest Day Was a Turning Point For My Health 19:52 Episode Artwork 56: Building Muscle: Your Blueprint for Better Health 22:27 Episode Artwork 55: The Scoop On Sugar + Inflammation: Is It Really That Bad? 22:19 Episode Artwork 54: Why September is Your New January 24:23 Episode Artwork 53: 3 Steps For Healthy Habits That Stick 14:59 Episode Artwork 52: Should Kids Eat An Anti-Inflammatory Diet? 25:32