Want to Know the Best Way to Survive the Menopause?

Let’s be honest- the years of the menopause aren’t exactly a walk in the park.

But you don’t need me to tell you that, do you? Because you’ve probably experienced most of its debilitating symptoms first-hand, or you’re concerned that they could be lurking just around the corner for you in your hormonal life.

You know enough about hot flushes, extra tummy fat and thickening waistlines, decreasing libidos, horrible brain fog and vast swings in mood from minute to the next that you could probably write a book about it.

You’ve experienced for yourself the deep-rooted anger, the intense fear, the stifling sadness and sometimes even the utter despair that comes from battling all of these symptoms day after day without a clue when it’s going to end. Or even if it’s ever going to get any better.

Of course there are good days, and there are bad days.

Sometimes you feel as if you might just be able to make it through okay. But there are also those days that leave you clinging on for dear life, desperate to make it all stop somehow, and desperate to survive with your life intact.

But there is one very simple life change that you can make right now that will drastically ease all of those nasty physical symptoms, give you back your energy and vitality, and also help you feel that life really is worth living again.

Want to know what it is?

It’s reducing your sugar and processed carb intake.

I can practically hear your gasp of shock as I write these words, because I know it might not be what you want to hear. But do hear me out because this information will transform your life for the betterand help you survive the menopause relatively unscathed.

Keep reading to learn why eating sugar and processed white carbs is the worst thing you could be doing for your hormones, and also discover how you can start making healthier food choices that will help rebalance your hormones whilst keeping your taste-buds happy.

What happens in your body when you eat sugar

When you eat processed sugar, your pancreas jumps into action, releasing a hormone called insulin. This unlocks the sugar receptors in your cells so that they can use that sugar for energy and growth, and also reduces your blood sugar levels. Every cell in your body needs glucose for optimal function, especially your brain.

But if you are consuming excessive levels of dietary sugars, your body hits overload. Your cells become completely saturated and the sugar streams into your blood instead, where it can wreak havoc.

Usually your body is well-prepared for this, and the pancreas releases additional insulin to cope with the onslaught. However, it can often get it wrong, and overproduce more of the hormone than is needed. This causes that all too familiar drop in blood-sugar around two to three hours after your last meal that leaves you feeling light-headed, shaky and craving carbs and sugars.

How sugar affects your hormonal balance

If you’ve been with me for a while you’ll remember that all of those menopausal symptoms come down to an imbalance in hormones, which can be caused by anything from stress, lifestyle choices, diet and environmental toxins. Of all of these, sugar is usually the most problematic.

You see, those spikes in insulin caused when you eat too much sugar can lead to low levels of a protein called sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This protein helps maintain a healthy balance of oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in the blood so if you have low levels of the stuff, your hormones are clearly going to be out of whack and your symptoms of the menopause are going to be significantly worse.

And of course, the more sugar you eat, the more likely you are to be overweight or even obese which will disrupt your fine hormonal balance even further and trap you in your hormonal struggles.

How to jump off the sugar rollercoaster

Even though you might not be too thrilled to learn that your treats are under threat, you should be feeling excited!

Because this means that you don’t have to continue to struggle with the way you are feeling. And if you’re really serious about overcoming your symptoms you can do something about them. (And you won’t need to quit sweet-tasting foods completely!)

Here are my tips:

1)   Forget the processed carbs and sugars and instead focus on
complex wholegrains instead. Gluten-free options are your best bet, such as rolled oats, brown rice and quinoa.

2)   Increase your consumption of lean proteins and healthy fats to help stabilize your blood sugar and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

3)   Check in with yourself around 2-3 hours after eating to find out whether a food ‘agrees’ with you or not. Ask yourself if you’re feeling comfortable and stable of mood, or irritated, exhausted or craving sugars or carbs?

4)   If you have a sweet tooth, substitute confectionary and cakes for natural, wholefood alternatives such as mixed berries or melon.

5)   Consider trying liquorice tea as a 100% natural beverage which tastes naturally sweet and is also a great treatment for all of your menopausal symptoms. (Please check with a doctor first).

Surviving the menopause isn’t just about following some fad, but about following solid, scientifically-proven advice that will help you overcome your symptoms and get that smile back on your face.

But of course, all of this is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak.

There are many other ways you can support yourself through this time of transition and help you not just survive the menopause, but come out the other side as a happier, healthier and brighter woman with everything to live for.