My colleague and fellow coffee-lover, Liz Ward, sent me a copy of her new book to check out. Funny thing is, I had already ordered my own copy (so one of my other lucky friends will get one too). The Menopause Diet Plan, written by registered dietitians Hilary Wright and Elizabeth Ward, takes a unique approach to eating and living during all of the stages of menopause. In addition, the book recognizes all of the symptoms and emotions that women experience from peri-menopause through menopause.

Let me just say, this books speaks my language.

Elizabeth and Hilary have created a Menopause handbook. (Okay, insider story – I just took my shirt off, because…hot flash. A perk of working from home). This guide can help keep all of your experiences from peri-menopause to menopause and beyond, in perspective. I was both surprised and encouraged by their point:

“It’s quite possible that you will live up to half of your years after menopause, so why not try to be the best version of yourself right now and in the future?”

I’d never thought of it that way, but truly, many women spend 30 or 40 years living after menopause. As a registered dietitian, I can assure you that even dietitians need some support and guidance during their lifetime when it comes to staying on track with healthy eating and lifestyle. The Menopause Diet Plan covers healthy eating basics (hello Mediterranean DASH diet) and exercise, as well as how women may be impacted by weight changes during menopause. It also reviews the science about the impact menopause has on heart health, diabetes, cancer risk, cognitive health and bone health.

The sketches were drawn by my father, during art school in 1949.

You are Unique

What I love about the book is that the authors repeatedly recognize that women experience menopause differently. Peri- and menopause may come with a variety of symptoms, some less or more severe. Dietitians are masters when it comes to understanding that “one size does not fit all”. The fact that every woman’s experience is unique is important. The data shows that many women have some of the same struggles, and…it’s all normal.

This book is filled with practical and reassuring tips. There’s something very freeing to read about other women’s experiences. It will help you accept this time in your life, and simply make life easier and happier. If you are a woman between the ages of 40 and 65, order a copy of this valuable resource!