I get to see a lot of health books and cookery books that have a healing approach. I have often been struck by how many really good ones about using the food we eat to heal many of our ills do seem to come out of Australia.

Maybe the outdoor life inspires this, and certainly healing nutrition and alternative remedies are very much part of the culture from the many good uses for Tea Tree Oil to Australian Bush Essences.

Australian clinical nutritionist Sophie Manolas has some great dietary ideas for help with the common symptoms of menopause and I am happy to share them with you.

We often say ‘you are what you eat’ but don’t really practice it so here are some suggestions that could change how you eat for hormone health.

How can the right diet help your menopause?

As a clinical nutritionist Sophie wrote a ground breaking book ‘The Essential Edible Pharmacy’ that looked at the health benefits of over 60 commonly available and nutrient-dense foods.

What could you change in your daily diet that could make a real difference to help minimise menopause symptoms and avoid illness?

Weight control

This is just about neck and neck with worries about hot flushes and, just like them, is sadly is often all too visible. Oestrogen dominance means an extra layer of fat and no matter how hard you exercise or diet it can be difficult to shift.

Oestrogen dominance occurs when you have higher levels of oestrogen than progesterone, and this can occur with even low levels of oestrogen if your progesterone levels are lower still.

At menopause the body shifts production of oestrogen from the ovaries into the fat cells of the belly, abdomen and thighs.

This results in the hormonal weight gain many women experience at this time but switching just a few items in your diet could make all the difference.

Key ingredients: avocado, cinnamon, broccoli

*  Cinnamon can help reduce insulin resistance – a common condition when the cells stop listening to the hormone insulin, resulting in weight gain and an increased diabetes risk – as insulin encourages the uptake and utilisation of sugar in the bloodstream.

*  Avocados are a ‘superfood’ and they will help you feel fuller for longer, which helps to curb cravings for high-sugar foods.

*  Broccoli has so many health benefits but did you know it could also help with weight loss?

*  Pulses and seeds are also good for weight control as they have a high protein and fibre content to keep you feeling fun for hours. So add chickpea, lentils and Chia seeds to your daily diet.

Heart health

Women often underestimate the risk of heart disease at menopause, but it is more dangerous than cancer in terms of deaths per year.

Bioidentical progesterone supports heart health, and don’t neglect these heart helpers either.

Key ingredients: spinach, tomatoes, figs, bananas, almonds, brazil and pistachio nuts, beetroot, garlic

*  Spinach is full of antioxidants and contains potassium, which is beneficial for your heart.

*  Tomatoes are great, whether the fruit or puree, because of the antioxidant function of lycopene, combined with the other powerful antioxidants s such as vitamin C and beta-carotene.

They neutralise the free radicals that could otherwise damage cells and cell membranes and so reduce the potential for the progression and severity of atherosclerosis.

*  Figs can reduce cholesterol and improve heart health as they are full of fibre and contain plenty of B vitamins to increase your energy levels.

*  Bananas have plenty of fibre to keep yo going, and potassium which is another heart healthy necessity.

*  Almonds and pistachios help lower cholesterol, and reduce your risk of diabetes.

*  Brazil nuts are high in selenium and healthy heart protective fats.

*  Beetroot can help lower blood pressure.

*  Garlic  is a great multi-tasker as it helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

Strong bones

A hidden danger at menopause is the increased risk for osteoporosis as there are no visible signs until you  break a bone.

If you have a risk for this disease then a preventive diet is a good place to start and then boost your diet with bioidentical progesterone to help build new bone.

Key ingredients: leafy greens, sesame seeds, brussels sprouts, kale, parsnips, turnip

*  Leafy greens are best combined with the sesame seeds to give you a good form of absorbable calcium.

*  Brussels sprouts are high in antioxidants, and with vitamin K and vitamin C are good for your bones. If you want a great way to use them then Sophie has a recipe for honey roasted sprouts combined with onion and garlic – it even converted me!

*  Kale has been hailed as a superfood and certainly it helps build bones and so do everyday vegetables like parsnips and turnip.

Hormone balance

Anxiety, mood swings, hot flushes – who would welcome menopause? But it can be helped by maintaining good hormone balance and  ensuring your diet does its best to support, not sabotage, your symptoms.

Key ingredients: coconut oil, walnuts, leafy green vegetables, linseeds, sesame seeds,  edamame beans, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage.

*  Coconut oil contains conjugated linoleum acid, a fatty acid which helps to reduce oestrogen dominance.  Healthy fats are essential for  warding off anxiety and can help with the mood swings of menopause too.

*  Walnuts have a high vitamin E content to help with hot flushes, and that irritating itchy skin which is a common feature of hormone imbalance. They also boost your heart, bones and help with weight management – a lot of benefit for just a few walnuts a day.

*  Leafy green vegetables like spinach, cabbage and kale all have a high fibre content and that helps with both hot flushes and night sweats.

*  Linseeds are high in omega-3 fatty acids to calm anxiety and help with depression.

*  Sesame seeds,  edamame beans, broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage all provide natural phytoestrogens to help with hot flushes, and good for women with low oestrogen levels naturally.

Helpful information:

Menopause is a constantly changing evolution, so using your everyday foods and supplementing with bioidentical hormone creams will help you stay on top of your symptoms.

If you are coping with mood swings, hot flushes, night sweats and more then you may need help from progesterone or a combination of progesterone and oestrogen depending on he severity of your symptoms.

Sophie Manolas book is available online and if you feel you need more hormone help, but not sure which hormone/s you need, then this article will help:

https://anna.blog.wellsprings-health.com/which-hormone-or-hormones-might-you-need/