5 Ways a Keto Diet Is Perfect for Menopause
Anyone who’s been through menopause can understand how difficult it can be. Although it’s a natural stage in life that everyone must go through, the good news is there are ways to make the indications of menopause more bearable. Although the signs may vary, men go through menopause too and it's called male menopause or andropause.
For one thing, a change in diet can help. Like the Ketogenic diet which is a diet that is low in unhealthy carbs and high in healthy fats and protein.
The Indicators of Menopause
Perimenopause is the months and years leading up to menopause. During this time, a woman may experience the following symptoms:
- Irregular periods
- Mood changes
- Hot flashes
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Chills
- Thinning hair and dry skin
- Weight gain and slowed metabolism
The Ketogenic Diet
The Ketogenic Diet is a low carb, high fat (LCHF) diet that helps the body produce ketones in the liver to be used as energy. What this diet means is that you’ll mostly eat the following:
- Meats – fish, beef, lamb, poultry, eggs, and the like
- Leafy Greens – spinach, kale, and the like
- Above ground vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, and the like
- High Fat Dairy – hard cheeses, high fat cream, butter, and the like
- Nuts and seeds – macadamias, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and the like
- Avocado and berries – raspberries, blackberries, and other low glycemic impact berries
- Sweeteners – stevia, erythritol, monk fruit, and other low-carb sweeteners
- Other fats – coconut oil, high-fat salad dressing, saturated fats, and the like
To read more about the Ketogenic diet, click here.
Below we give you the five reasons why it's perfect for menopause.
1. Balanced Hormones
Anyone who’s ever gone through menopause know how challenging its symptoms can be and the effect they can have on one’s hormones. The ketogenic diet helps improve the levels of hormones in the body so you experience less of the difficult signs of menopause.
2. Better Sleep
Loss of sleep is often a result of the stress one experiences whilst going through perimenopause. Essentially, when the brain is busy, it’s unable to wind down and relax. Due to the Ketogenic diet promoting low sugar and low carbohydrates, the blood sugar level in the body is balanced, improving your sleep and resetting the body’s natural rhythm.
3. Weight Management
Managing your weight during menopause can feel like you’re fighting a battle you’re never going to win. Thankfully, the ketogenic diet helps in regulating the hunger hormone ghrelin while enhancing the levels of insulin and leptin (the “master hormone) in the body, both of which can help with weight management.
4. Improved Brain Function
Omega-3 and Omega-6 type fatty acids are essential to the brain function. Our diets and the stress that can be brought on by the signs of menopause mean our bodies have lower levels of fatty acids which can result in poor concentration and brain fog. The Ketogenic diet is high in good fats, helping our brain get more of the fatty acids it needs so it can function better.
5. Stable Energy
For many, menopause and its indications can be very tiring. Healthy fats provide the body with a clean, proficient source of energy. The ketogenic diet can help you maintain steady energy levels thanks to the healthy fats it calls for.
Although it does not promise the complete absence of menopause’s dreary symptoms, changing your diet to the ketogenic one can lessen the intensity of the symptoms and shorten their duration. This helps you become more productive, happy and positive about the milestone that you’re going through.
