At 68, Mila Rivers wasn’t trying to chase youth. She was simply trying to feel well—to wake up with energy, keep her joints from aching, and stay sharp enough to keep up with her grandchildren’s jokes.
After years of eating on the go and too many frozen dinners, she decided it was time for a shift.
“I wasn’t looking for a ‘diet,’” she says. “I wanted a way of eating that made me feel alive, not restricted.” Quest Nutrition Ultimate Variety Pack Protein Bars, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto Friendly, 12 Count
A friend suggested she explore the Mediterranean diet, and Mila was intrigued. It wasn’t a fad or a trend—it was a centuries-old way of eating that focused on fresh vegetables, whole grains, heart-healthy fats, and lean proteins. Best of all, it didn’t ask her to give up flavor.
Mila began with small changes. She swapped butter for olive oil, started every morning with fresh fruit and a handful of nuts, and began enjoying roasted fish with herbs instead of fried meats.
Her kitchen became more colorful, filled with tomatoes, leafy greens, beans, and whole-grain bread.
“I started enjoying food again,” she says. “There was no pressure. Just a slow return to balance.”
Within weeks, Mila noticed her digestion improved. She felt lighter—not in weight, but in spirit. Her blood pressure stabilized, and the brain fog that had crept in over the years began to lift. The bonus? Her doctor was impressed.
Now, Mila hosts small dinners for her friends where they share roasted vegetables, hummus platters, and laughter over a glass of red wine.
“I’m not trying to eat like a twenty-year-old,” she smiles. “I’m just eating in a way that lets me enjoy being seventy.”
