Combat Menopause Symptoms with Our Delicious 4-Day Vegan Meal Prep Plan

This delicious 4-day vegan meal prep is specifically designed to combat the six most common challenges of menopause: hot flashes, muscle loss, mood swings, fatigue, inflammation, and an increased risk of osteoporosis.

Grab our free menopause meal prep guide - nutrition breakdown and grocery list included!

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What Makes This Meal Prep Plan unique?

Menopause can be a challenging phase, but with the right nutrition, you can alleviate many of its symptoms. This meal plan, designed by our registered dietitian Taylor, comes in at just over 1,800 calories per day. It boasts 100 grams of plant protein, ensuring you meet all your nutritional needs without supplementation, including protein powder.

Breakfast: Creamy Green Maca Smoothies

Start your day with a nutrient-packed smoothie. Frozen spinach and bananas are key ingredients that last longer and provide essential nutrients. Add frozen pineapple chunks, sun butter for vitamin E, hemp seeds, ground flaxseed, and maca powder – a root vegetable native to Peru that may help alleviate menopause symptoms like mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Blend with soy milk, which contains isoflavones known to reduce hot flashes.

Lunch: Lentil Harvest Salad

For lunch, prepare a Lentil Harvest Salad packed with protein and vitamins. Cook lentils and Brussels sprouts, rich in vitamin K and estrogen-metabolizing compounds. Add sweet potatoes for an extra boost of vitamins and minerals. Top it off with a Sriracha tahini dressing for a flavorful kick. This meal helps with muscle maintenance, mood stabilization, and inflammation reduction.

Dinner: Tofu Kimchi Rice Bowls

Evenings call for a comforting and nutritious Tofu Kimchi Rice Bowl. Tofu provides another serving of isoflavone-rich soy, promoting bone health. Kimchi, a probiotic food, supports gut health and hormone regulation. Bok choy adds a crunch and a dose of vitamins. This meal offers a balanced mix of protein, vitamins, and probiotics to keep you feeling your best.

Snacks: Blackberry Chia Seed Pudding

For snacks, indulge in Blackberry Chia Seed Pudding. Chia seeds are a fantastic source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, known to reduce inflammation and improve brain health. Blend blackberries, maple syrup, vanilla soy milk, and chia seeds for a refreshing and nutritious treat.

Nutritional Breakdown

We aimed for 100 grams of plant protein per day and met every target for essential amino acids. Higher plant protein intake, combined with resistance training, is vital for maintaining muscle mass, muscle strength, and bone strength in post-menopausal women. This meal plan is also rich in calcium, vitamin K, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids – all crucial for bone health and reducing menopause symptoms.

Key Nutrients

• Calcium: Found in soy milk, tofu, bok choy, and chia seeds.

• Vitamin K: Abundant in Brussels sprouts.

• Magnesium: Present in hemp seeds, lentils, and chia seeds.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: From chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and hemp seeds.

• Fiber: 55 grams per day, supporting gut health and hormone regulation.

Take Action

To further support your journey through menopause, grab our menopause meal prep guide and learn more about our Menopause Mastery program run by Dr. Daphne Bascom.

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Menopause meal prep guide

Click to get the recipes, grocery list, and nutrition breakdown meal prep guide here!

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Balancing Your Hormones, Menopause, Omega-3s, Spreading Veganism, & More | Dr. Neal Barnard

Dr. Neil Barnard is a professor of medicine, the founder of the Barnard Medical Center, and the president of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, all while constantly writing new books.

How does he get it all done? 😅

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Here are some highlights from this powerful interview with the legend, Dr. Barnard.

The Power of a Plant-Based Diet

Switching to a plant-based diet can revolutionize your health. This isn't just about weight loss; it's about preventing and even reversing diseases. Dr. Barnard emphasizes that if you're not eating meat, your arteries can open up again, making diseases reversible. This is crucial because many health issues, including high cholesterol and high blood pressure, are diet-related.

Practical Tips for Transitioning

To successfully transition to a vegan diet, start with small steps. Spend a week exploring plant-based options you could enjoy. Oatmeal with cinnamon and raisins, pancakes without butter, or scrambled tofu instead of eggs can be excellent choices. After a week, you’ll have a list of foods you like. Then, try a three-week test drive, eating vegan all the time. Most people notice significant changes in their weight and overall health within this period.

Addressing Menopausal Symptoms with Diet

Menopause can bring various symptoms, but diet can help manage them. Dr. Barnard's research shows that a plant-based diet, low in oils, and includes soybeans can significantly reduce hot flashes.

Steps to Follow

1. Adopt a Plant-Based Diet: Eliminate animal products.

2. Keep Oils Low: Reduce intake of high-fat plant foods like avocados and peanut butter.

3. Include Soybeans: Half a cup of mature soybeans daily can be particularly effective.

Combating Hormonal Imbalances

For conditions like hypothyroidism and PCOS, a plant-based diet can be beneficial. Research suggests that hypothyroidism is least common in vegans. Ensuring adequate iodine intake, such as through seaweed, is also essential. For PCOS, a diet similar to that recommended for diabetes, which focuses on whole plant foods and low in added oils, can be transformative.

The Role of Omega-3 Fats

Omega-3 fats are crucial for health but should be consumed cautiously. High levels of omega-3 have been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer, so it's important to try to get these fats from whole foods like flaxseeds and chia seeds rather than supplements.

Personal Care Products and Health

While diet is the primary focus, it's also wise to avoid certain substances in personal care products. Aluminum, found in many deodorants, is a neurotoxin and should be avoided. Opt for aluminum-free options to reduce exposure.

Conclusion

Adopting a plant-based diet offers numerous health benefits, from weight loss to reducing menopausal symptoms and managing hormonal imbalances. Practical steps like starting with small changes, keeping oils low, and including soybeans can make a significant difference.

Additionally, being mindful of personal care products can further enhance overall health.

Join menopause Mastery

Become empowered with the knowledge and habits you need to thrive through menopause and beyond!

Click to learn more.

free Nutrition Calculator

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