Monday, February 9, 2009

How to Design a Healthy Diet for Menopause

By Ricardo d Argence

Death and taxes are guaranteed for every person, but women face one more event from which they cannot escape. Menopause is a change in a female body and it usually occurs when a woman is between forty and fifty years old. Exciting and emporwering events begin to take place as hormone levels in the system change.

According to doctors, this is a natural phenomenon that happens as you leave child-bearing years behind and move into a bright new time of life. You will begin to experience power surges (hot flashes), great depth of feeling (mood swings) and your body takes on new curves (excess weight).

It may seem a bit unfair to have to deal with excess pounds on top of all of the other symptoms, but, it is true. One reason that menopause causes weight gain is that the estrogen levels start to decrease that this time.

During menopause, when women are in their mid to late 40s, they typically gain about 10-15 pounds, with a minimum weight gain of 5 pounds in one-third of women. Less than 50% of the women according to the studies maintained their weight throughout the menopausal years due to extreme dieting and determination.

It is important that this weight gain be controlled or prevented because those increased pounds can also increase the risk for many diseases like high blood pressure, stroke, and heart disease. Exercise is a key factor to help maintain proper weight, and females should become involved in both cardiac activities and weight training.

A woman who is going through menopause should eat a diet rich in nutrients and minerals. Pre-menopausal women need to focus on consuming more fruit and vegetable, lean meats, whole cereals and calcium rich foods.

Vitamins, minerals, and healthy foods are key ingredients to a healthy future and you will even be able to diminish many menopausal symptoms if you adjust your diet properly.

You shoul avoid: sugar, processed foods, alcohol, soy based products like tofu and caffeine.

It is easier to make it through menopause if you incorporate healthy foods and exercise into your lifestyle. The second half of your life can turn out to be the best years as you will be transforming yourself to a stronger, healthier, and an even more radiant person than before.

Foods and products for your Diet: Vitamins and supplements that include B-12, Vitamins A, D, C and E, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, fiber, phytoestrogens, and isoflavones; skim or fat-free milk; yogurt; leafy greens like spinach, kale, and broccoli; seafood, especially fish; fresh berries and other fruits.

When you bring a new healthy diet and exercise program into your life you can meet those menopausal months with a bright smile. Many of those annoying symptoms can be decreased or eliminated and you can sail through this normal transition in style. With increased activity and natural, whole foods it is possible to make this new time in your life the best and most productive years of all. - 15252

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