How to eat your way out of a menopausal mood swing
How to eat your way out of a menopausal mood swing

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How to eat your way out of a menopausal mood swing

How to eat your way out of a menopausal mood swing

Mood swings are a common occurrence among women struggling with menopause; in fact nearly 50% of women going through this transition report experiencing mood swings. These rapid shifts in emotion can be caused by many things, though typically they are attributed to the normal fluctuation of hormones that occur during menopause. Aside from the hormonal triggers, mood swings can be a result of the combination of other menopause symptoms. For instance, night sweats could lead to a bad night’s sleep which could make you more susceptible to mood swings during the day.

Because many women may feel they have no treatment options aside from invasive hormone replacement therapy (HRT), they may underestimate the impact a healthy diet paired with regular exercise can have on the amount of mood swings they experience. If you are hoping to make HRT a last resort, read on to discover what foods are best for combating mood swings.

Foods to boost your mood

Milk and other dairy products

too, are not only a good source of calcium and protein, but they also contain the chemical tryptophan which is good for sleep regulation as well as mood boosting.

Eggs.

Don’t you dare throw out the yolks! Contrary to what some say, egg yolks can be good for you, particularly your mood swings. Yolks contain lecithin which is good for your spirits and your cells.

Salmon.

Omega-3 fatty acid is an essential fat, meaning your body needs it but does not produce it naturally. Salmon and other oily fish are a good source of this substance that is notoriously good for cognition.

Whole grains

Also contain tryptophan for your mood and sleep behavior, but they are also complex carbohydrates. The majority of your calories in your day probably come from carbohydrates. With the complex kind, which is more difficult for your body to break down, energy is released more slowly which can help keep your blood sugar stable.

Dark chocolate.

Not milk chocolate and not white chocolate, dark chocolate is good for you. You can eat the other stuff; it just won’t be as effective. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and it tells your body to release serotonin, the feel-good hormone.

More information about Mood Swings

If you have tried altering your diet and adding exercise to your daily routine, you may want to discuss with your doctor what other treatment options are available to you. In the last few years, acupuncture and massage have been given more attention by the medical world and have been proven an effective means of treatment for mood swings in some cases. For more information on mood swings follow this link.

Other Related Articles:
Still moody after menopause? How to combat your postmenopausal mood swings
Can fish help during menopausal mood swings
Six Steps to Prevent Mood Swings during Menopause
Tips for snacking when you are suffering with mood swings in menopause
How do I cope with my mom’s menopausal mood swings?

Sources:
  • "Adult Mood Swings". The Health Center. www.thehealthcenter.info.
  • Dr. Love, Susan, and Karen Lindsey. Dr. Susan Love’s Menopause and Hormone Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2003.
  • Amin, Zenab, Turhan Canli, and C. Neill Epperson. "Effects of Estrogen-Serotonin Interactions on Mood and Cognition". Behav Cogn Neurosci Rev 2005; 4; 43.
  • "Estrogen Promotes Gender Difference in Brain’s Response to Stress". Molecular Psychiatry. www.psycheducation.org.