In the menopausal years, many women’s bodies undergo a change in the distribution of body fat. The hip and buttock fat moves to the abdomen, changing a “Pear Shape” into an “Apple Shape.” The “Apple Shape” has been associated with an increase in heart disease, uterine cancer, and diabetes.
Eating a balanced diet, ensuring an adequate calcium intake, and engaging in regular physical activity increase in importance during menopause. Estrogen itself doesn’t cause weight gain, and has actually been shown to reverse weight gain in many women. A diet high in white flour, fat, dairy, sugar, caffeine, and meat, is not only unhealthy but also worsens hot flashes.
A diet high in whole grains, fruit, vegetables, beans, fish, and small amounts of meat can reduce those flashes. Estrogen-like compounds called phytoestrogens-found in legumes and some fruits, beans, and vegetables-modulate the estrogen fluctuations that can cause hot flashes.
