Healthy eating and menopause
As your body experiences the stress of transitioning from perimenopause to postmenopause, make it a priority to eat a balanced diet. Healthy eating habits help reduce the impact of perimenopausal symptoms and reduce your risks of long-term conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
- Limit the number of calories in your diet that come from fat.
- Choose calcium-rich foods to make sure you get at least 1500 mg of calcium per day. Take a calcium supplement if your daily diet does not contain enough calcium.1
- Help your body use calcium by adding at least 400 IU of vitamin D to your daily diet; take vitamin D supplements if necessary to meet that need. This is especially important in northern climates during the winter months.
- Include good sources of fiber, such as whole grains, beans, and fruits and vegetables, in your diet each day.
- Avoid simple sugars, particularly when you are challenged by mood swings, anxiety, or depression.
- Avoid caffeine, or cut back on it. Caffeine is a common culprit in sleep problems and feelings of agitation. If you are suffering from these hormone-related symptoms, pay attention to how much caffeine you are getting in beverages and chocolate.
For more information, see the topic Healthy Eating.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: May 19, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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