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The symptoms that come with the menopause can be uncomfortable for many women and unfortunately, there is no magic cure to alleviate them. But when it to comes to weight loss, health experts have provided a list of what foods should be avoided for women wanting to shift a few pounds.
Research conducted by Nuffield Health in 2017 found that diet “plays a major part” in helping women feel better.
They also revealed women should stay away from four different food types in particular if they want to look after their overall health throughout the midlife change.
Experts at Forth, who are experts in female health, explained that while women may be tempted to crash diet if their weight is an issue, this may actually “do more harm than good”.
As women’s bodies enter menopause, there is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis as bone and muscle strength decrease due to lack of oestrogen.
The key factors to experiencing a healthy menopause are good mental health, maintaining energy levels, and a good night’s sleep.
These can all be supported with specific diet guidelines, which include avoiding:
Sugary snacks
Eating foods such as cakes and chocolate can wreak havoc on women’s changing oestrogen and progesterone levels.
This is because they affect insulin levels, causing blood sugar level fluctuations.
Forth’s experts said: “This doesn’t mean cutting back on all treats, but having a healthy balance is key.”
Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic drinks excessively can have quite an impact on a person’s body.
The experts noted: “In menopausal women, it has been known to exacerbate symptoms, such as hot flushes.
“This is because alcohol causes dilation of blood vessels, causing increased blood flow.”
Alcohol also contains secret calories that can easily cause people to overeat on their daily calorie limit.
Caffeinated drinks
Hot beverages such as coffee could also exacerbate symptoms such as hot flushes and digestive issues, especially if you are already suffering from conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), say Forth.
“Try switching one of your daily coffees to decaffeinated drinks, or herbal teas,” they suggested, in order to give the body a break.
Processed foods
Foods such as microwaveable meals often contain high salt levels and have long been a staple of diet no-nos.
Too much sodium in a person’s diet has been linked to causing high blood pressure and changes in hormones during menopause can make blood pressure more sensitive to salt in the diet.
As a result, it is important people monitor their intake.
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