Did you know that six percent of the population in the US has adopted a vegan lifestyle? Although this type of diet may not work for you, you can and should add more plants into your diet, especially as you age, including plant based menopause supplements. These are ways a plant-based diet can help you address weight gain during menopause.
How Weight Affects Menopause Symptoms
It is common for women to gain at least five pounds during perimenopause, but extra weight can actually make your symptoms worse. For example, it may increase your temperature and encourage the body to release the extra heat, increasing hot flashes, night sweats and flushing. Added weight also increases inflammation, which impacts your vasomotor symptoms.
Balances Hormones
Overall, plants help balance the hormones in your body, which is vital to weight loss and maintenance. Soybeans, peanuts, flax seeds, grapes, barley, plums, chickpeas and teas all contain phytoestrogens, which can help balance your body’s estrogen. To balance your blood sugar and insulin levels and support your thyroid, you should eat whole foods. These foods also reduce cortisol, which causes weight gain around your abdomen.
High Nutrition Value
Up to half of your plate should contain fruits and vegetables according to American dietary guidelines. The reason is that fruits and vegetables have high nutritional value. They contain fibers, antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that your body needs. Increasing the intake of these foods also reduced and helped women maintain their weight.
Vegetables and Fruit Minimize Symptoms
However, they also reduce hot flashes and encourage weight loss. These foods also reduced cancer risk and blood pressure. Increases in plant proteins also help the body maintain its muscle mass and bone health. Heart disease risk is decreased when whole grains are added to your diet.
You may be asking how to control menopause mood swings during menopause. Well, fruits and vegetables can reduce your depression, encourage better sleep and reduce hot flashes, which all impact your mood. Healthy fats also decrease night sweats and hot flashes.
Beware Processed Foods
To increase the popularity of vegan diets, some food processors have created plant-based meat substitutes, such as vegan burgers, chicken products, sausage and bacon. However, these products require extensive processing, which impacts the health benefits of these foods because it adds nutrients, additives, preservatives, sugar, fat, salt and artificial flavors and ingredients.
Tips for Long-Term Vegan Diets
Vegan diets tend to lack specific nutrients. For example, if you do not drink milk, you may lack the calcium and vitamin B12 you need in your diet. Therefore, add calcium-fortified foods and drinks and leafy green vegetables to your diet. Reduce your meat intake gradually. Choose your favorite meat-free foods and search for new recipes to try.
Add beans gradually so your digestive tract can get used to the added fiber. Also, if you don’t want to adopt a fully vegan diet, try to go one to three days without meat each week or reduce how much meat you eat overall.
Menopause and perimenopause symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, decreased libido and weight gain. A plant-based diet and menopause weight gain supplements can help you manage your weight, allowing you to lose weight and keep it off.
