Eat Healthy During Menopause

Avoid Fried Foods!

Maintaining good nutrition during the menopause transition and beyond is critical for heart health. Cardiac disease is the main cause of death worldwide, and changes resulting from menopause can increase a woman’s risk of heart disease. Diet is something that can be controlled. The American Heart Association recommends eating foods high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, poultry, low-fat dairy products, and unsaturated fats from vegetable oils, nuts, and beans. Diets that encourage this pattern of eating include the Mediterranean diet and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet.

Fried foods are higher in calories, and release chemical byproducts

Unfortunately, the Western diet often includes fried foods, whether from fast food or from foods made at the home. For example, french fries can be found in most eateries and are a staple in the American diet. Sometimes the fries are loaded with salt. Consuming fried food has been linked to a 30% increase in heart attacks according to the INTERHEALTH study. Fried foods are higher in calories, and release chemical byproducts involved in the body’s inflammatory response, and are linked to heart disease and stroke risk. Fried foods are unhealthy and should be avoided as much as possible!

If you have any cardiovascular risk factors, doctors recommend cutting fried food from your diet. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends making small shifts towards more nutrient-dense foods, such as foods that are lean or low-fat and prepared with minimal added sugars, refined starches, saturated fat, or sodium. Providing the body with nutritious foods not only reduces the future risk of heart disease and stroke but provides the fuel your body craves to remain active and healthy before, during, and after menopause.