{"id":26161,"date":"2021-09-20T20:22:04","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T20:22:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/?p=26161"},"modified":"2025-07-02T21:33:58","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T21:33:58","slug":"foods-for-perimenopause-diet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/foods-for-perimenopause-diet\/","title":{"rendered":"In Your 40s? You\u2019ll Want to Add These 7 Foods To Your Diet"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><em>Perimenopause can be a confusing time with uncomfortable symptoms, but you don\u2019t have to just grin and bear it. Adopt a <\/em><em>perimenopause diet<\/em><em> to help to ease symptoms with these foods.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<p>Perimenopause is something that isn\u2019t commonly talked about (but should be). And yet, the symptoms\u2014insomnia, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/natural-remedies-for-hot-flashes\/\">hot flashes<\/a>, mood changes\u2014can be life-altering. Many women in the early stages of perimenopause may not even realize that the symptoms they\u2019re experiencing are a result of hormonal shifts.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>While you may feel like leaning into comfort foods to cope during this time, getting smart about your nutrition can actually support your body and improve symptoms. Find out how hormonal changes during perimenopause can change your nutritional needs and why a targeted perimenopause diet can help you feel more like yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-is-perimenopause\">What is perimenopause?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Perimenopause is defined as the years that precede <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/natural-relief-from-menopause-symptoms\/\">menopause<\/a>, the time when you stop menstruating, according to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/womens-health\/faqs\/the-menopause-years\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/a> (ACOG). On average, menopause happens at age 51, and symptoms of perimenopause can persist for four to eight years as your body makes the transition, notes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.menopause.org\/for-women\/menopauseflashes\/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments\/menopause-101-a-primer-for-the-perimenopausal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The North American Menopause Society<\/a> (NAMS).<\/p>\n\n\n<p>It all starts, though, in your mid- to late-30s when your hormones start to shift, says <a href=\"https:\/\/ericaleon.com\/about\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Erica Leon, RDN<\/a>, an expert in menopause nutrition. Perimenopause typically occurs in your 40s. Notably, levels of estrogen and progesterone begin to decrease, though as they do so, these hormones may also fluctuate. The most likely initial sign of perimenopause? Your periods begin to change. \u201cSome women notice that they are longer, heavier, or their cycles shorten,\u201d she explains.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>That hormone rollercoaster is what brings about symptoms such as perimenopause weight gain, difficulty sleeping, mood changes, low mood, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/natural-remedies-for-hot-flashes\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">hot flashes<\/a>, loss of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/causes-of-low-libido-in-women\/\">libido<\/a>, brain fog, joint pain, and vaginal and skin dryness, among many others, says Leon.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-your-diet-should-shift-during-perimenopause\">Why your diet should shift during perimenopause<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>\u201cEstrogen has an important role in every single system in the body,\u201d Leon explains. For that reason, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-your-nutritional-needs-change-over-time\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">your nutritional needs may also change<\/a>. For example, estrogen is a bone-preserving hormone, and so the loss of estrogen causes bone loss, notes the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nof.org\/preventing-fractures\/general-facts\/what-women-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Osteoporosis Foundation<\/a>. In this case, there are certain nutrients you want to make sure you\u2019re getting enough of to keep your skeleton strong. In other circumstances, certain foods may help you manage the symptoms of perimenopause.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cPerimenopause is the perfect time to start paying attention to your health. The things you could get away with when you were younger, such as poor diet habits, start to catch up with you now,\u201d says Leon. And that doesn\u2019t mean that all the focus is on your weight. In fact, focusing too much on weight often leads to maladaptive eating habits that affect your health in significant ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"products-block -mx-4 md:mx-0 my-10\">\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/75\/fan-club\" class=\"text-xs text-dark hover:!text-dark flex items-center border border-light rounded p-4 group !no-underline mb-4 relative pb-16 sm:pb-4\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"shrink-0 mr-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.humnutrition.com\/assets\/deaf8200-7dfc-11f0-ad24-b34122249da9.png\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\" class=\"object-cover transition-opacity group-hover:opacity-80 !mb-0\" alt=\"Fan Club\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"grow pr-4\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mb-2 flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center divide-x-0 sm:divide-x divide-light text-sm\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-1 pr-2 flex\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"flex mr-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m11.532 4.697 4.353.663c.36.053.664.316.828.64.066.397 0 .791-.288 1.06l-3.157 3.193.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 1-.39.978c-.3.188-.698.25-1.022.072l-3.888-2.14-3.889 2.14c-.327.178-.724.116-1.024-.072a1.008 1.008 0 0 1-.388-.978l.745-4.581L1 7.06C.713 6.79.646 6.397.713 6c.162-.324.464-.587.827-.64l4.35-.663L7.842.563c.16-.344.5-.563.87-.563.372 0 .711.219.872.563z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg class=\"mr-1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"17\" height=\"16\"><path d=\"m8.713 3 1.54 3.61 3.46.58L11.207 10l.588 4-3.082-1.878zm4.555 7.253 3.157-3.193c.288-.269.354-.663.288-1.06-.164-.324-.467-.587-.828-.64l-4.353-.663L9.584.562A.965.965 0 0 0 8.713 0a.965.965 0 0 0-.871.562L5.89 4.697l-4.35.663c-.363.053-.665.316-.827.64-.067.397 0 .791.287 1.06l3.157 3.193-.745 4.581a1.01 1.01 0 0 0 .388.978c.3.188.697.25 1.024.072l3.889-2.14 3.888 2.14c.324.178.721.116 1.021-.072a1.01 1.01 0 0 0 .391-.978z\"\/><\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4.5\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pt-1 sm:pl-2 text-medium\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t967 Reviews\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-base font-semibold mb-1 group-hover:text-primary\">Fan Club<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"mb-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tmulti-symptom relief for perimenopause and menopause\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"absolute bottom-4 left-4 right-4 sm:bottom-0 sm:left-0 sm:right-0 sm:relative inline-flex justify-center bg-primary group-hover:bg-primary-light text-white rounded py-3 px-12 leading-none text-center\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pr-1.5 border-r border-primary-lightest\">$40<\/span><span class=\"pl-1.5\">SHOP NOW<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"self-start\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Leon notes that 15 percent of midlife women <a href=\"https:\/\/bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com\/articles\/10.1186\/s12916-016-0766-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">meet the criteria for an eating disorder<\/a>, and a big part of this is triggered by chronic dieting and restrictive eating habits. Overall, eating a balanced diet, along with lifestyle changes that make good eating habits easier to stick with, such as practicing stress management, adequate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/mighty-night\/\">sleep<\/a>, and strength training, are vital for keeping you well. That umbrella approach to your health can keep you out of the yo-yo diet cycle that can be so damaging.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>For a balanced diet that <em>also <\/em>supports your body during perimenopause, make you\u2019re incorporating the following foods into your routine.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"8e72af\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/17-Foods-for-Perimenopause-Infographic.jpg\" alt=\"Perimenopause diet foods list\" class=\"wp-image-26831 not-transparent\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8e72af; width:574px;height:861px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Save this shopping list for our next trip to the grocery store!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-foods-that-should-be-part-of-every-perimenopause-diet\">7 Foods That Should Be Part of Every Perimenopause Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re thinking about the best foods for perimenopause, these are seven great foods that decrease the risk of chronic disease and may even temper bothersome symptoms:<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tofu\">Tofu<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Whole soy foods, including tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soy milk, are one of the best additions that you can make to your diet during perimenopause. \u201cI recommend my clients try soy foods first,\u201d says Leon. Soy foods contain soy isoflavones, substances that, when broken down, have estrogen-like properties. \u201cThese can act as very weak forms of estrogen,\u201d she explains. In fact, research has found that those following a low-fat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/plant-based-diet-for-beginners\/\">plant-based diet<\/a> that includes 1.2 cups of cooked soybeans daily for 12 weeks reported that their hot flashes decreased by 79 percent compared to the control group, found a <a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/menopausejournal\/Abstract\/9000\/The_Women_s_Study_for_the_Alleviation_of_Vasomotor.96938.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2021 study in <em>Menopause<\/em><\/a>. (The research was done on postmenopausal women but hot flashes are a common symptom during perimenopause, per ACOG.)\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><img data-dominant-color=\"726152\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #726152;\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/tofu-soy-foods.jpg\" alt=\"tofu with chopsticks\" class=\"wp-image-26173 not-transparent\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fortified-milk\">Fortified milk<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Whether you like almond or oat or traditional cow\u2019s milk, make sure that whatever you\u2019re drinking contains the bone-strengthening duo calcium and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/vitamin-d-deficiency-what-you-should-know\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">vitamin D<\/a>. \u201cSo many women who have a history of dieting or an eating disorder or who are trying to keep their weight low have a higher risk of not eating enough calcium and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/vitamin-d-deficiency-what-you-should-know\/\">vitamin D<\/a>,\u201d says Leon. That can leave you vulnerable to osteopenia (weak bones) or osteoporosis (bone loss) as you age. Good bone health comes from a food-first approach.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re drinking cow\u2019s milk, it likely supplies an excellent source of <a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Calcium-HealthProfessional\/#h3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">calcium<\/a> and a good source of <a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/VitaminD-HealthProfessional\/#h3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">vitamin D<\/a>. If you\u2019re drinking plant-based milk, like almond, coconut, hemp, or oat, make sure that yours is fortified. Still, some women may need to supplement their diet, as calcium and vitamin D deficiency are common. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/13\/got-calcium\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">Got Calcium<\/a> is a vegan source of calcium with 48 percent of your recommended daily value while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/8\/here-comes-the-sun\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">Here Comes the Sun<\/a> contains 250 percent of your recommended daily vitamin D intake.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-salmon\">Salmon<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel, supply <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/omega-fatty-acids\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">omega 3 fatty acids<\/a>. Not only is this type of fat healthy for your heart, but it\u2019s especially good during perimenopause, says Leon. \u201cIt\u2019s important to get enough dietary fats into your diet because your body needs dietary fat to make hormones,\u201d she says. What\u2019s more, your risk of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.endocrine.org\/news-and-advocacy\/news-room\/2018\/midlife-women-transitioning-to-menopause-have-a-higher-risk-of-metabolic-syndrome\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">metabolic dysfunction<\/a>, a risk factor for heart disease and type two diabetes, increases around menopause, so eating heart-healthy sources of fat is important.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In general, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/what-is-the-mediterranean-diet\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">Mediterranean patterns of eating<\/a>\u2014rich in fatty fish and monounsaturated fats like olive oil and nuts\u2014is the type of diet that Leon suggests her clients follow to feel their best. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heart.org\/en\/healthy-living\/healthy-eating\/eat-smart\/fats\/fish-and-omega-3-fatty-acids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">American Heart Association<\/a> recommends eating two fish meals per week. If you struggle to get in the recommended servings of fish each week, you may also want to consider adding an omega-3 fish oil supplement, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/product\/4\/omg-omega-the-great\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">OMG! Omega The Great.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-whole-grains\">Whole Grains<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no reason to stay away from carbs, especially whole grains, like whole-wheat bread or pasta, quinoa, farro, oatmeal, or sorghum. \u201cYou really want to try to make sure you\u2019re not on a no- or low-carb diet,\u201d says Leon. \u201cWhole grains also have phytoestrogens that are helpful in managing symptoms,\u201d she explains.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dark-leafy-greens\">Dark Leafy Greens<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>There are several reasons to sneak in more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/benefits-and-types-of-leafy-greens\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">dark leafy greens<\/a> (like spinach, kale, collards) into your diet when you can. For one, they offer a source of calcium\u2014not as much as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/dairy-and-acne\/\">dairy<\/a>, but they\u2019re a prime plant-based option to help you meet your needs. These veggies are also packed with magnesium and vitamin K. \u201cWomen who are dieting tend to have lower intakes of these two nutrients,\u201d says Leon. Magnesium is a mineral that\u2019s involved in <a href=\"https:\/\/ods.od.nih.gov\/factsheets\/Magnesium-HealthProfessional\/#h3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">300 enzymatic reactions<\/a> in the body and tends to become depleted in times of stress, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7761127\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">research shows<\/a>. Vitamin K, on the other hand, is needed for bone health.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-lean-meat\">Lean Meat\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Many women in perimenopause find that their weight doesn\u2019t change, but the distribution of body fat does, accumulating around the waist, according to NAMS. Along with possible increased belly fat, lean body mass (e.g. muscle mass) also decreases during this time. To maintain muscle, which is vital for a zippy metabolism and physical function, Leon recommends both strength training and adequate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/why-do-we-need-protein\/\">protein<\/a> consumption. You can get this through animal-based lean proteins (like eggs, chicken, fish, shellfish, certain cuts of pork and beef), as well as Greek yogurt and plant-based sources, such as legumes, nuts, and seeds.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-beans\">Beans<\/h3>\n\n\n<p>Along with supplying plant protein (a half-cup has about 8 grams of protein, per <a href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/175237\/nutrients\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">USDA<\/a>) and magnesium, beans are another source of phytoestrogens, says Leon. What\u2019s more, if you are concerned about perimenopause weight gain or gaining fat, adding beans and lentils to your diet is a good strategy. These foods, rich in filling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/benefits-of-soluble-fiber-vs-insoluble-fiber\/\">fiber<\/a> and protein and low on the glycemic index, have been shown to help with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/how-much-weight-can-you-lose-in-a-month\/\">weight loss<\/a> without having to restrict your calorie intake, found a review and meta-analysis of 21 randomized controlled trials, published in <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/27030531\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition<\/em><\/a>. Adding beans to a meal increases satiation because they are digested slowly and prompt a lower blood sugar response, all of which help keep your appetite on an even keel, the researchers say. They suggest eating one serving of pulses per day. Try them atop salads, in soups, or in a grain bowl. (We\u2019re also sneaking them into <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/black-bean-brownies\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">these brownies<\/a> and they make an excellent filling for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/sweet-potato-black-bean-enchilada-recipe\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"\">enchiladas<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>What foods help balance hormones during perimenopause?<\/strong><br>Foods rich in fiber, omega-3s, and phytoestrogens\u2014like flaxseeds, salmon, and lentils\u2014can support hormonal balance by aiding estrogen metabolism and reducing <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/anti-inflammatory-lifestyle\/\">inflammation<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Should I avoid dairy and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/gluten-intolerance\/\">gluten<\/a> during perimenopause?<\/strong><br>Not necessarily\u2014some women benefit from reducing them if they notice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/best-foods-for-bloating\/\">bloating<\/a> or joint pain, but high-quality dairy can offer calcium and protein crucial for bone health.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>How can diet ease perimenopausal symptoms like hot flashes or mood swings?<\/strong><br>Stabilizing blood sugar with protein-rich meals and limiting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/long-term-effects-of-alcohol\/\">alcohol<\/a>, caffeine, and processed sugar may reduce hot flashes and support a more balanced mood.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>Is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/intermittent-fasting\/\">intermittent fasting<\/a> safe or effective during perimenopause?<\/strong><br>It can work for some, but if hormones are already fluctuating, overly restrictive eating may increase <a href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/stress-awareness-day-boost-happiness-lower-cortisol\/\">cortisol<\/a> and worsen fatigue or anxiety\u2014listen to your body.<\/p>\n\n\n<p><strong>What nutrients are most important in a perimenopause-friendly diet?<\/strong><br>Focus on magnesium, calcium, vitamin D, and B vitamins to support bone health, mood, and energy levels during this hormonal transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div  class=\"cta-block -mx-4 md:mx-0 my-10 p-px md:rounded bg-white text-black relative  bg-no-repeat bg-cover aspect-[83\/48]\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/BlogBackground_Quiz.jpg);\" >\n\n\t<div class=\"p-4 sm:p-6 w-[70%] md:w-2\/3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"text-2xl md:text-3xl font-display font-bold uppercase\">Build Your Supplement Routine<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"btn btn-large btn-primary mt-4 md:mt-8 !no-underline\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/get_started\" target=\"_blank\">Take The HUM Quiz<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Perimenopause can be a confusing time with uncomfortable symptoms, but you don\u2019t have to just grin and bear it. Adopt a perimenopause diet to help to ease symptoms with these foods. Perimenopause is something that isn\u2019t commonly talked about (but should be). And yet, the symptoms\u2014insomnia, hot flashes, mood changes\u2014can be life-altering. Many women in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":43706,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_toc_level":"h2","_toc_min":2,"footnotes":""},"categories":[819,823],"tags":[678,867,543,21581],"coauthors":[21956],"class_list":["post-26161","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-food","category-healthy-eating","tag-aging","tag-diets","tag-hormones","tag-perimenopause"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Perimenopause Diet: 7 Foods You Need, According to An RD | HUM Nutrition Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"In your 40s? Manage symptoms of hormonal changes with a perimenopause diet focused on nutrient-dense foods like tofu and whole grains.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/foods-for-perimenopause-diet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"In Your 40s? You\u2019ll Want to Add These 7 Foods To Your Diet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In your 40s? Manage symptoms of hormonal changes with a perimenopause diet focused on nutrient-dense foods like tofu and whole grains.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/foods-for-perimenopause-diet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"HUM Nutrition Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/facebook.com\/humnutrition\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-09-20T20:22:04+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-07-02T21:33:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/perimenopause-diet-The-Wellnest-by-HUM-Nutrition-.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1210\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"594\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Jessica Migala\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@HUMnutrition\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@HUMnutrition\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Jessica Migala\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/foods-for-perimenopause-diet\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/foods-for-perimenopause-diet\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Jessica Migala\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.humnutrition.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/35f6f05979d6b80819aa40a0dcbcd159\"},\"headline\":\"In Your 40s? 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