Hitting the Menopause Brick Wall!

Hey out there! Just curious if anyone has found any tips to combat the effects of weight gain during premenopause and after? I am battling with sugar and carbs, and I never had to worry about it before, I always just watched my calories. How many carb's do you all shoot for a day? I have been trying to keep it at 100. Is that normal or too much? Or too little?

I have started taken some herbal help for the other symptoms (hot flashes, etc.), but if any of you have any tips about certain foods or vitamins that naturally have helped you combat the carb cravings?

I am not able to take hormonal supplements, just too risky for my family history. And I'm sure I'm not alone out there!

Even some tips for anything else to get through this!

Hi Westy1958

 My menopause wall is just like that big one in China. I still keep chipping away at it though. I have the disadvantage of being without a thyroid as well so that really slows me down sometimes. I use herbal tea to battle different cravings. Something sweet (Orange/Butterscotch or Ginger/Lemon Tea) or something savory (Masala Chai or Bengal Spice Tea). I just use the tea that is like the craving I have.  I find that by the time I've had a nice 'cuppa' the craving for whatever is gone. 

You don't mention if you are having menopausal symptoms or not. If you are having hot flashes I'm told that soy milk will relieve them. You really should talk to a Homeopathic Dr., or even your family Dr if he/she is open to it.  I have friends who when through without having to take any hormone replacements. As for me I'm just starting, so only 1 hot flash many years ago and just really irregular monthly. The suspense is driving me crazy, ie will I get it or won't  I. I don't escape the symptoms though. Such fun.

I find that keeping a postitive outlook and drinking lots of tea, (yes, I sometimes slosh when walking) seems to help me though it . Oh yea, and talking to good friends who are going or have gone through it really helps.

Hope this helps

THank you so much! The tea idea is a great one, I love my coffee, but it doesn't love me, not anymore. So I'm down to just my one cup in the morning, then tea at work all day, switching to herbal to be able to sleep at night. But chnging to different tea's for different cravings sounds fun too. I stopped at the store and bought a bottle of sugar free cinnamon coffee sryup like Starbucks use to add to my tea at night (to avoid ice cream , my night enemy). So I will stop and get a variety of tea. Thank you again!

I too use teas ( and yelling at my husband) just kidding, but they do help. Vitamin D is getting more heads up lately and it seems to bode well for post menopausal symptoms. Also going in my room and removing all my clothes and reading a good book helps ;-D

Yes, the carbs stick like glue once you reach menopause or premenopause.  I know for me if I increase my protien and reduce my carbs it helps, but the overall calories need to be reduced too.  Increasing the protien helps my stay full longer.  This time of year becomes difficult since the cold makes me crave breads and other carbs. 

I hope the teas are helping.  Raw honey has helped take the edge off the flashes.  I use it in my coffe/tea in the morning.  I've tried honey that wasn't raw several times and it doesn't work like the raw honey.  You should see a difference within the first week.  I use about 1 1/2 Tablespoons each morning.  This might be an option for you.  -A

Well, running into another issue with this whole change of life! My stomach after 52 years of eating whole wheats has decided to reject it. I get horrible IBS, and I have read that it's part of menopause also? Has anyone out there tried the wheat free breads? I try to bake my own, but I have never tried any other type of flour, or what to add and in what quantity? I guess oat flour is fine, but how to use it?

And of course white flour doesn't bother me, the worst kind of carbs to eat.

I have been using the calorie count for a few weeks now and my hot flashes and night sweats have disappeared. I don't know if it is a coincidence or what but I feel great. I am on 1300 calories a day. I feel like a new person!!!

Hello

besides my health problems I am also in menopause. I do not take anything for it as I am allready on a  lot of medicines for the CHF. I have also had IBS these last months I gave up on bread and stick to swedish flatbread like Wasa and other brands and buttermilk instead of milk and in my case I notice a difference. The menopause also aggravates my existing health issues for the worse. There is also menopause weight gain low energy etc. For sleep issues I use lavender e.o. I take a vitamin B complex for the hair loss & lack of energy.

I'm past the menopause; I haven't had a period for quite some time now, but I handle anything to do with hormones with bio-identical hormones.  Everyone has decided that I should stay on them and I totallllllllllllly agree.  I feel human on them.

I love tea, but I've always drink tea. 

I have ate the bread that is gluten free and it's not bad.  My sister has to eat that diet all the time and I've eated several things that are gluten free including brownies, cereal, and pizza.