Does Being a Vegetarian Help Your Hormone Balance?

By Jenny H. | Updated: Jun 18, 2020

Being a vegetarian can help you through menopause

Every woman who is going through perimenopause, menopause, or postmenopause is looking for a way to balance her hormones. Although it may seem extreme, how about turning vegetarian? With the advancement of soy, a famous phytoestrogenic food, you may start to wonder whether being a vegetarian can help you through menopause. Many people fear that eating meat can exasperate menopausal symptoms, so keep reading to discover the pros and cons of vegetarianism during menopause.

Pros and Cons of Being a Vegetarian during Menopause

PRO

No more hidden hormones

This, of course, is a big pro. No matter how hard you look to check if meat is healthy, ethically-sourced, and contains no produced hormones, the quality and production process cannot necessarily be guaranteed, as the many scandals that rock the meat industry can attest. By becoming a vegetarian you no longer have to worry about what lurks in your bacon, sausage, beef, and other meat products.

Soy-tastic

Soy is great for your hormonal balance

The new solution to all your problems (as it is sometimes lauded) can now be bought in all forms, including beans, milk, cheese, nuts, tofu, yogurt, and imitation meat, etc., and it is great to keep your hormones balanced. Studies have shown that people from East Asia who have a high level of soy in their diet don't suffer from as many menopausal symptoms. Soy products are perceived as very healthy for the body; this is true, when taken in the right amounts. Too much soy can have adverse effects on your body.

Fish or no fish

A big point of contention among vegetarians is whether fish can be included in a vegetarian diet. If you're becoming a vegetarian solely for the purpose of menopause then it may be worth keeping fish in your diet. Fish is a great source of protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, so it is great for the body and for balancing hormones.

CON

Finding new sources of protein. The big problem with a lack of meat in your diet is that meat is crucial for making sure your body has enough energy, vitamins, and protein. Without meat you will need to find new ways of getting protein. Legumes, nuts, whole wheat pasta, whole grain bread, and lentil soup are just some of the possible sources of protein that you should add to your diet, as well as eggs and dairy products.

More about Vegetarians and Menopause

Ultimately it is not known for sure whether vegetarian women have a better menopause transition than meat eaters. What is known is that a balanced diet is integral to getting the right vitamins and minerals into the body to keep it working properly. Click on the following link for more information about hormonal imbalance.

Related Articles

How to Talk to Your Doctor about HRT How to Talk to Your Doctor about HRT
Stress Relief Techniques for Balancing Your Hormones Stress Relief Techniques for Balancing Your Hormones
Caffeine vs. Hormones: The Final Showdown Caffeine vs. Hormones: The Final Showdown