According to Marla Ahlgrimm, menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life when her ovaries stop producing eggs. Although the inability to get pregnant may be a joyous time in some women’s lives, menopause also brings with it challenges, such as hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings.
The retired pharmacist and self-help author explains there are many things that women can do to manage the symptoms of menopause. This includes eating a healthy diet. Consuming the right balance of foods can help reduce the risk of developing some health conditions common in menopause, such as heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis.
Just a few of the reasons that diet is important for women during the change of life include:
- To maintain a healthy weight. Marla Ahlgrimm says that weight gain is common during menopause. And, unfortunately, a few extra pounds can make the symptoms that much worse. By eating a healthy diet, you can maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of developing other health conditions that can exacerbate your menopause symptoms.
- To reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases. Marla Ahlgrimm says that menopause is a time when women are at an increased risk of developing some chronic illnesses, like heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke. Eating a healthy diet can work to reduce the risk of developing these diseases by giving your body the food and fuel it needs to maintain its natural self-defense mechanisms.
- To improve bone health. Estrogen works to protect bones, and when estrogen levels decline during menopause, Marla Ahlgrimm says that women are at an increased risk of osteoporosis. Eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D improves bone health and may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
- To improve mood. Mood swings are common throughout menopause, and eating a healthy and balanced diet can work to improve your mood each day. A diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains keeps the body and mind in top shape.
- To boost energy levels. Fatigue is unfortunately another common side effect of menopause, says Marla Ahlgrimm. Eating foods that provide energy can combat fatigue. Proteins, complex carbohydrates, and foods full of B vitamins can help.
How To Eat Healthy Throughout Menopause
According to Marla Ahlgrimm, it’s important that women eat low-calorie, high-nutrient foods. Leafy green vegetables, whole grain breads and rice, and an assortment of fruits and colored vegetables work together to ensure a woman has just the nutrients she needs to grow a whole and healthy body.
Marla Ahlgrimm also explains that eating lean protein sources, like chicken, fish, and beans, can help a woman maintain her muscle mass, especially when combined with routine exercise. Marla Ahlgrimm also suggests reducing the intake of processed foods, which are too high in calories and sugar and too low on nutrients.
Diet is important throughout every stage of a woman’s life. It is perhaps most so during menopause, when our bodies leave our reproductive years behind. Since we no longer have to support life, our bodies think it’s time to take a break. Not so. By eating the right foods, you can keep yourself healthy and well from the inside out so that you can look and feel your best, even during menopause.
Marla Ahlgrimm has co-authored two ground-breaking books,