Think of our typical fast food habits: battered this and that (white flour
and fat and oil), chocolate, sweets, and red meat (fat, fat, and more fat),
sugar, and caffeine (oh the poor heart!). Not only is our typical diet
unhealthy, but it actually can lead to an increase in hot flashes for those
dealing with menopause. Women often report that wine, hot and spicy food (of
course) and caffeine can increase their hot flashes, and it only makes
sense—obviously, anything that gets the heart beating a bit faster could make
you feel flushed.
So we know that soy products, beans, fruits, and vegetables are particularly
healthy for menopausal women. But if you haven’t had them as a part of your
daily routine, or not in large quantities anyway, these kinds of wholesale
changes to your routine can be difficult to stick to. Try replacing an item at
a time. Wean yourself off some of the items you know you should stay away from,
and gradually introduce healthier choices. By integrating them slowly into your
diet, there’s a greater likelihood that they will stay there.
And as for integrating more soybean into your diet? Don’t go out and buy a
huge chunk of dry tofu for dinner. It’s not appetizing. I’ve tried it. Believe
me. With all the international cooking taking place in this country, the
bookshelves are filled with recipe books dealing with healthy ways to prepare
soybeans and tofu, Chinese and Japanese cookbooks in particular. Healthy and
tasty can go together.
Why not take a class at a continuing education facility and have fun with
it? Over time, these choices will become part of your regular routine, and
they’ll be more likely to remain there if you can enjoy them at the same time!