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There are a lot of myths about menopause, and many of them revolve around your diet. Is it true that you’re destined to pack on the pounds? Will the right nutrients prevent the worst of the hot flashes? Examining the most popular misconceptions reveals the truth — and how you can make the change of life more smooth sailing than stormy seas.
Myth: It Doesn’t Matter What You Eat — You’re Going to Gain Weight
One of the most persistent menopause myths is that you’re destined to pack on the pounds once your periods become irregular and eventually stop. While it’s true that, on average, women gain approximately 1.5 pounds per year starting in their 40s and 50s, menopause isn’t the only possible reason — and not everybody sees the scale creep up. Much of the menopause weight gain equation remains in your control and hinges on your choices.
Truth: Your Food Choices Matter — a Lot
The risk of weight gain is serious. Carrying too many unwanted pounds increases your risk of Type 2 diabetes, which also boosts your chances of developing heart and kidney disease. Furthermore, women who begin menopause before age 46 are 25% more likely to develop Type 2 than those who started later.
A diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables is your best bet. Additionally, you should reduce your consumption of added sugar and white flour, which absorbs quickly and may raise diabetes risk. Finally, exercise aids digestion and helps mitigate weight gain through various channels, such as boosting your energy levels and keeping certain hormones in check.
Myth: You Can Still Drink Like You Did at 21
If you’re a wine lover, you might want to rethink your habit after your kids leave the nest. Alcohol worsens many menopause symptoms and affects you differently as you age.
Truth: Alcohol Affects You Differently as You Age
Ageing depletes your muscle mass as your liver slows down. As a result, your body processes alcohol much more slowly, and more of it stays in your bloodstream. Your chances of medical issues and alcohol poisoning increase substantially, and pounding them back as you did when you were younger will, in the best case, leave you with a pounding headache the next day. At worst, it could negatively impact your life — consider cutting back or quitting.
Myth: Supplements Are Enough to Maintain Good Health
Supplements help, but they do a far better job addressing specific deficiencies than promoting overall health. For example, vegans often need supplemental B12, which primarily stems from animal-based sources.
Truth: A Healthy Diet Is Better Than a Drawerful of Vitamins
A healthy diet is a far more reliable way to ensure you get the nutrition you need. That’s because whole, plant-based foods contain various phytonutrients, some of which science has yet to study. Some work in tandem with other nutrients, while others, like quercetin, benefit specific biological functions. Certain foods, such as flaxseeds, may even help mitigate menopause’s hormonal storm as well as medications and ease your symptoms.
Dietary Myths About Menopause Debunked
It’s easy to fall prey to misinformation these days. Debunking the dietary myths surrounding menopause can make your change of life less stressful and symptomatic. You have more control than you think to improve how you feel, but it all begins with knowing the truth.
