Have you ever noticed that every menopause treatment conversation eventually circles back to diet? You're not imagining it. As Cole Kazdin eloquently points out in their recent essay for TIME, weight gain is often the first symptom women notice during perimenopause—and it’s also the first thing we’re told to ‘fix.’ But why does diet get the starring role in menopause treatment, and is it really helping or hurting? Spoiler alert: the answer is far more nuanced than you might think.

The Diet Dilemma: When Menopause Meets Culture's Waistline Obsession

Menopause is a wild ride for the body—hot flashes, mood swings, disrupted sleep, and yes, changes in weight and body composition. Naturally, many women look for ways to manage these changes. Unfortunately, modern medical advice often taps into a diet-centric approach straight from the playbook of diet culture.

Kazdin’s essay sheds light on a painful truth: the conflation of menopause symptoms with weight gain sends a problematic message. The moment a woman’s body shifts, the instinct is to ‘control’ it through dieting, which can sometimes fuel disordered eating rather than health.

But here’s the catch—menopause is not just about calories in and calories out. Hormones, genetics, stress, and sleep all weave together in this complex puzzle. The shiny ‘fix it with a diet’ sticker often glosses over this complexity, leaving many women feeling blamed or trapped.

Why Is Diet Always the Go-To? Because Society Loves an Easy Fix

Let’s face it: telling women to just “eat better” during menopause is easy. It fits neatly into existing narratives about personal responsibility and body image. But is it fair? Absolutely not.

• Medical professionals may have limited options and rely on diet because it’s non-invasive and accessible.
• Diet culture’s deep roots mean weight loss is often marketed as the holy grail of health, overshadowing other factors.
• Women themselves sometimes internalize these messages, linking self-worth with appearance and weight.

The Real Wellness Approach: Beyond the Scale

If you’re navigating menopause (or supporting someone who is), it’s crucial to flip the script. Instead of zeroing in on diet as the hero or villain, consider the bigger picture:

• Focus on nutrient-rich foods that support hormonal balance, like leafy greens, healthy fats, and whole grains.
• Incorporate gentle movement that feels joyful—think dancing in your living room, restorative yoga, or nature walks.
• Prioritize sleep—because hormonal shifts can seriously impact rest, and poor sleep feeds into stress and weight changes.
• Seek mental health support if diet pressures trigger anxiety or disordered eating patterns.

What Does This Have to Do with Fertility and Parenthood? More Than You Think.

Navigating menopause may seem worlds away from trying to conceive, but many readers here understand the rollercoaster of hormonal health firsthand. Whether you’re exploring paths to pregnancy or managing fertility challenges, listening to your body beyond just numbers on a scale is key.

For those considering alternative or at-home fertility solutions, like those offered by MakeAMom’s innovative insemination kits, embracing a holistic approach to wellness can enhance your journey.

MakeAMom’s products, designed thoughtfully for diverse needs—from sensitivities to sperm motility issues—remind us that parenthood isn’t one-size-fits-all. The same mindset applies when we talk menopause: there’s no one ‘perfect’ diet or treatment.

The Bottom Line: Your Body, Your Rules

Menopause treatment shouldn’t be a guilt trip with a salad on the side. It’s about reclaiming your health and happiness on your terms, free from the pressure of diet culture’s glare.

So, next time someone suggests you ‘just lose weight’ to fix menopause symptoms, remember Kazdin’s powerful point: this conversation deserves to be deeper, kinder, and more honest.

Ready to rethink menopause and wellness? Share your story, your challenges, and your successes. How have you navigated the diet pressures during this transformational phase? Let’s start a real conversation below!

Inspired by Why Does Menopause Treatment Always Include a Diet? by Cole Kazdin