First, you need to understand that the fat a woman accumulates at menopause and after, is not the same type of fat one gets before “the change” sets in. Prior to menopause, the fat layers itself just under the layers of skin, above the organs and abdominal wall. This is not the case at menopause. The kind of fat a woman gets at menopause is visceral, meaning it stores under the abdominal muscle, around the organs.
A menopausal diet is absolutely necessary, as visceral fat is the worst kind. It is a major contributing factor to heart disease, type II diabetes and the bad kind of cholesterol. The only way, at the moment to determine whether or not you have visceral fat is with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) diagnostic scan.
Nevertheless, visceral fat actually responds more quickly to a menopausal diet than subcutaneous fat, which is incredibly good news. You may have to work harder to get that cellulite off your thighs, but in the meantime, the visceral fat is melting away.
Okay, now, about the menopausal diet. It is basically just eating the way human beings were meant to eat. Meats should be lean, so avoid the fatty and processed cuts. Vegetables, fruits and legumes are necessary for roughage (to keep the waste processing plant operating smoothly). Avoid any products made with white flour, opting for whole grains instead. Also avoid too much sugar, artificial sweeteners and caffeine, as well as excessive amounts of salt. And we cannot say enough about drinking lots of water.
Water is an important ingredient in the menopause diet. Water to a human body is like oil to an automobile. It lubricates the joints for smooth operation and keeps the systems from overheating and breaking down. In other words, when one is dehydrated, the body will take the necessary fluids it needs from the body’s systems and the first place it goes for fluids is the bowel system. Dehydration is, therefore, the number one cause of constipation.
What you eat is important, but how you eat has its relevance, too. Eat several small meals instead of two or three large ones. Take a grazing approach to eating, much the way our very distant ancestors did. Smaller meals throughout the day are good for keeping your blood sugar levels regulated. But try not to eat when stressed. Not only does this interfere with digestion, it also causes you to eat more in one sitting than you may realize.
A menopausal diet does not absolutely forbid your favorite, but unhealthy, food choices. It simply suggests that you eat them in strict moderation. It is a psychological oddity that when a human being cannot have something, that is when she wants it most! So, go ahead and have an occasional “fill-in-the-blank” less healthy food, just monitor how much and how often you have it.
Needless to say, exercise should also be part of your healthy regimen alongside your menopausal diet. With these two weapons in your arsenal, a menopausal diet will alleviate symptoms; you’ll lose the fat and be happier all around.
