{"id":47339,"date":"2024-03-15T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/?p=47339"},"modified":"2026-09-14T05:28:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T12:28:51","slug":"foods-for-menopause","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/foods-for-menopause\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Foods for Menopause and Perimenopause"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Dr. Mindy Pelz<\/b><\/p>\n

Menopause, often shrouded in uncertainty and discomfort, is a process that many women find themselves unprepared for. This gap in understanding is not a personal oversight, but a reflection of a broader lack of accessible and credible education on the subject.<\/p>\n

Even many health care professionals are grossly uninformed about perimenopause and menopause, and how to help their patients transition gracefully through this stage of life. Seeing as it affects over half the world\u2019s population, you would think it would be a mandatory topic in medical schools. Sadly, only about 58% of medical textbooks<\/a> talk about menopause at all<\/i>, while another 12% dedicate only a paragraph to it.<\/strong> And many medical schools don\u2019t even require menopause as part of their mandatory course of study.<\/p>\n

This lack of support and resources can leave many women facing the physical and emotional shifts of menopause with more questions than answers. Luckily, some of the answers lie within our diet and lifestyle \u2014 meaning women have powerful resources to help them navigate menopause, balance hormones, and maintain their health during one of the biggest transitions of their lives.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll look at what menopause and perimenopause are, some of the challenges they present, as well as what you can do to get through these hormonal changes with ease.<\/p>\n

What Is Menopause?<\/h2>\n
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Menopause is a natural transitionary phase in every woman\u2019s life. It usually begins between ages 45 and 55, and marks the end of fertility.<\/p>\n

During menopause, the ovaries gradually stop releasing eggs. Typically, menopause is defined as not having a period for 12 months or longer.<\/strong> And with it comes a more than 90% decrease<\/a> in the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone.<\/p>\n

Menopause can be a scary time. Along with puberty, it\u2019s the biggest hormonal change in a woman\u2019s life and can usher in a number of challenging symptoms.<\/p>\n

Menopause is also an emotionally difficult time for a lot of women. It marks a shift in identity and a transition into a new phase of life that can be hard to navigate. But remember: Every single woman goes through menopause. It\u2019s a natural part of life, and you\u2019re not alone if you\u2019re dealing with it.<\/p>\n

The good news is that with the right tools and perspective, you may be able to move through menopause with grace \u2014 and feel healthy and happy as you enter a new chapter of your life.<\/p>\n

What Is Perimenopause?<\/h2>\n

Perimenopause is the beginning of the menopause transition.<\/strong> It usually starts around age 40 and involves changes in menstrual flow and cycle length.<\/p>\n

Some women may also experience minor, early symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes and trouble sleeping. These are the result of surges and dips in estrogen and progesterone levels as the ovaries prepare to enter menopause and stop producing eggs.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of Menopause and Perimenopause<\/h2>\n
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The challenging symptoms of menopause and perimenopause are similar, though they\u2019re usually milder during perimenopause.<\/p>\n

Women typically experience some combination of these symptoms during menopause or perimenopause:<\/strong><\/p>\n