Fuel your Perimenopause
Looking for some simple and effective nutrition tips for the menopause years? You’ve come to the right place!
Right then, let’s chat about nutrition for a sec, because trust me, this is key to feeling your best. As we get older and head into our perimenopause years, the amount of cr*p our bodies will tolerate becomes less and less. I’ve certainly found that I can’t get away with eating some of the less-than-great things I used to! Nutrition really is the bedrock of our health and hormones, so we need to give it the attention it deserves. But this doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
I'm not talking about crazy fad diets or expensive supplements. I'm talking about the basics. The trouble is, I think there is so much messaging around what we should be eating in perimenopause, that it muddies the waters about what actually works and what doesn’t. So here’s my quick checklist for eating well in perimenopause and beyond:
Eat real food – you know, the kind with ingredients you can actually pronounce. Think lots of veggies, fruits, and whole grains. And don't forget about protein! It's like the superhero of your meals, helping to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Although you don’t need to go overboard with protein. Most of us will be able to get enough from our diets, without needing to resort to expensive and often overly-processed supplements.
Avoid the irritants - life is full of irritants (most of which we can’t avoid!), but I’m talking about the ones we know will make our symptoms worse. I'm looking at you, alcohol and caffeine! Try cutting back or even eliminating them for a while and see how you feel.
Hydration, hydration, hydration! It's like a magic elixir for your body. Drink plenty of water throughout the day, and you might be surprised at how much better you feel.
Be mindful. This might sound a bit woo-woo, but hear me out. What I mean is paying attention to your body's hunger and fullness cues, and savouring every bite where you can, rather than eating your sandwich with one hand and scrolling on your phone with the other. It's like a little self-care moment for your taste buds and your tummy.
I really think if we can nail these things, we’re doing a really good job. All the other things are just the icing on the cake - let’s bake the ruddy thing first!
So there you have it – the perimenopause nutrition lowdown. Remember, it's all about finding what works best for you.
We’ve done a deep-dive into nutrition as part of the Perimenopause Reboot, my online course for women who want to learn how to feel their absolute best in perimenopause and beyond. If you’d like to join me again when doors open in January - you can get on the waitlist now by heading here.
