Tips for Weight Loss During Menopause

Bet there never was and will never be a woman to live on this earth, who hasn’t or will not curse her fate for being born into the fairer sex. Countless social prejudices and physical vulnerabilities can take a toll on their lives. One such health issue specific to women is menopause. It is not a disease but a health condition that all women experience sometime after the age of 50 (for some it might occur in their 40s, evens 30s). Simply put it is the transition phase, when a woman ceases to menstruate. This transition brings about many bodily as well as hormonal changes.

The transitional phase may include the following symptoms:

• Irregular periods
• Hot flashes
• Mood swings
• Vaginal irritations
• Sleep problems
  …And Weight Gain! 

  Post menopause, woman’s body is under heightened risk of the following:

• Heart and Cardiovascular Diseases
• Osteoporosis
• Decreased Libido
  …And once again, continued Weight Gain! 

  Thus adopting a healthy diet plan for menopause becomes an absolute necessity. Making dietary changes can go a long way in improving menopausal symptoms and reducing the resulting health risks. A healthy balanced diet can help improved the slowed metabolism in menopausal women which is the main reason behind continuous weight gain.

  Following are the foods that should be included in your menopausal diet:

• Fish : a rich source of Omega-3 fatty acids, fish helps reduce the risk of heart diseases.
• Dairy Products: As estrogen levels decrease, women are prone to a condition called Osteoporosis, in which the bones become weak and brittle. Thus the daily requirement of calcium intake increases in menopausal women.
• Soy Foods: Eating soy foods like soy milk, nuts or tofu will give you relief from hot flashes.
• Herbal Iced-Tea: prevention is better than cure, it is therefore advised to stop having hot beverages as they may set off hot flashes. Caffeine adds to the trouble. Hence, herbal iced-tea could be a good choice.
• Fresh leafy Vegetables and Fruits: After menopause belly fat accumulation is a problem observed in majority of women. A diet consisting of fresh plant products can limit high calorie food intake, and hence reduce body fat.
• No Sugar: Cutting on the sweets and cakes, can help tremendously in weight control and reduction. Reason? Isn’t it obvious enough- HIGH CALORIES.

  While these inclusions may help you a little in combating menopausal trouble, nothing can get you best results than consulting an expert nutritionist. You can also refer to menopause diet plan online. Idietitian has specially designed plans for Indian women in this regard.