Best Foods to Eat for Menopause

Best Foods to Help Menopause?

There are foods which are considered best to eat when you have menopausal symptoms. Especially good if you’re having those embarrassing hot flushes and all the other menopause symptoms like sleep deprivation, aches, and pains, low libido but do not want to take hormone replacement therapy.  Eating some of the foods below may be just what you need to help see you through.
The most beneficial type of food is what is known as Phytoestrogens. So we explore these further to see exactly what they do and why they help menopausal symptoms.

Why Phytoestrogens can help Menopause

Phytoestrogens naturally occur in certain plants and are converted into oestrogen-like compounds in the intestinal tract.
Phyto oestrogens are structurally and functionally similar to human oestrogen or produce oestrogen-like effects. Because of this, phyto oestrogens can act on oestrogen receptors on the cell membranes and have balancing effects on oestrogen activity in the body. This means phyto oestrogens can act to increase oestrogen activity when the body’s supply is too low, making it perfect for the menopausal woman. If oestrogen is too high the phyto oestrogen can help reduce oestrogen activity.

How to increase your dietary intake of Phytoestrogens

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  Foods for Menopause

  Choose these herbal teas – Alfalfa, red clover, sage, hops

• Eat 10-20g of whole flaxseed daily –ground flaxseed can be added to breakfast cereals, desserts, or in smoothies. Alternatively soak whole flaxseeds in water overnight.
• Replace dairy products with soy products such as soy milk, soy cheese, soy yoghurt, soy ice-cream. Use soybeans, tempeh, tofu, miso, & soy sauce in your cooking.
• Include in your salad: cooked beans, cooked chickpeas, raw seeds & alfalfa sprouts which area high in phyto oestrogens.

Further nutritional support:

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  Aim for eight glasses of water per day

  Drink at least 8 glasses of filtered, or rainwater every day.

• Increase your intake of anti-oxidants by drinking raw vegetable & fruit juices
• Increase essential fats in the diet by grinding fresh and raw nuts & seed, such as flaxseed, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and almonds.
• Eat protein regularly throughout the day. Good sources include seafood, organic eggs, organic chicken, lean red & white meats, legumes, whole grains, nuts & seeds and also whey protein powders.
• Use superfoods – nutrient dense foods which support the skeleton, nervous system & blood vessels. These are:
  • Wheatgrass juice
  • Fresh wheat germ
  • Fresh lecithin
  • Garlic, leeks, shallots & red onions
  • Citrus fruits
  • Seaweeds – arame, wakame, kombu, nori, & kelp
  • Alfalfa sprouts
  • Legumes – beans, peas, lentils
  • Cold pressed seed & vegetable oils – especially flaxseed oil
  • Tahini, hummus, & natural nut spreads instead of butter or margarine
  • Apple cider vinegar – added to dressings or taken in water

You can read more about Menopause here.