Cause Your Health Counts

Eating based on a solid menopause diet plan can make a tremendous difference in how you experience the various symptoms of menopause.

If you have spent anytime on this site, you know that I am a man. So I want to start right here by admitting I have not gone through these symptoms myself. But, I am married and I have watched my wife struggle with this issue. She has been determined to avoid pills and prescriptions. While we know plenty of folks that have chosen those solutions, I am going to share our experiences with you.

The symptoms that have been the strongest are hot flashes, some claustrophobia, inability to lose weight - even with tons of exercise, and anxiety.

Hot Flashes

She would have no covers on at all while I would have the bedspread, a blanket and a down comforter on. At least she didn’t complain I was stealing all the covers.

Claustrophobia

She would not be able to sleep in a room with the lights off. Even just being around the house without every light on was a problem. We gave our son a 30-minute ride in a private plane. She got in first and had to get out. I’m sure the pilot thought it was fear of flying, but she grew up in small planes - her Mother, Father and Grandfather all flew. She used to fall asleep as soon as the engine started.

Inability to lose weight - even with tons of exercise

She joined a masters swim team and practiced 3 to four mornings a week an hour at a time. She gets up at 5:30 AM to go to practice. She joined a USA Tennis league team. They practice for two times a week for two hours at a time and play one match a week - usually an hour and a half. She took tennis clinic or tennis lessons twice a week for 90 minutes at a time. She started back riding her horse competitively - another 3 hours a week.

Anxiety

This is explanation enough.

So, she is in the midst of menopause big time. Her 3 older sisters are telling her how easy she has it and how much worse it is going to get. Then we started researching menopause diets.

Here is what we have found.

There is actually a book by Larrian Gillespie titled The Menopause Diet. She focuses on how women in menopause have to eat differently from men to lose weight. She shows that you can gain weight through high carb, low protein foods. You can also gain weight through lack of sleep and stress. She spends a lot of time advising on hormone replacement choices and accompanying nutritional support.

Foods that are recommended for a menopause diet include:

Potassium rich foods to balance sodium and water retention such as

* Bananas
* Oranges
* Lemons
* Dried apricots
* Dried figs

Vegetables - dark leafy vegetables

* Kale
* Spinach
* Pak choi
* Broccoli
* Cabbage
* Collard greens for us country folks

Grains

* Brown rice
* Soybeans
* Whole Grains
* Wheat Germ

Oily Fish rich in Omega-3 fatty acids:

* Salmon
* Tuna
* Trout
* Sardines

Vegetable Oils - we switched completely to Canola:

* Canola
* Flaxseed

Unsalted Nuts - we have become addicted to almonds:

* Walnuts
* Brazil nuts
* Almonds

Foods to Avoid:

* Anything with caffeine
* Spicy foods
* Tobacco

What are our results?

Notice how I say our even though I am not the one going through this.

Changing our diet has certainly given my wife strong relieve from many of the symptoms of menopause. We have not stuck with a formal menopause diet; we have used it as a guideline. All the symptoms are not gone, but they are less often and less severe.

If you need help in setting up a formal diet - or just advice from someone who is an expert in the filed, I can highly recommend the personalized diet options at e-diets.

If you are frustrated about your weight change as a result of menopause, but don’t feel a menopause diet is right for you for whatever reason, you might want to try the free samples of the Diet Patch.