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Alison Tehan Nutrition / Uncategorized
weight gain perimenopause

Why is it so hard to lose weight in Perimenopause

If you’re in your 40s or 50s and wondering why your body seems to be holding onto extra weight especially around your belly you’re not alone. As a clinical nutritionist specialising in perimenopause and menopause, I see this with hundreds of women all the time. The truth is, weight loss is not impossible once you understand what’s going on inside your body. Let’s break down exactly why your metabolism, hormones, and body composition are shifting and what you can do about it. Declining Estrogen Means Lower Insulin Sensitivity During perimenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and gradually decline. Oestrogen is not just a reproductive hormone it plays a big role in how your body processes glucose (sugar). Lower oestrogen makes you less insulin sensitive, meaning your body doesn’t use carbohydrates as effectively...

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vitamin d, immunity, energy, inflammation, gut health

How optimal Vitamin D levels can transform your health

Its that time of year when it's important to consider your vitamin D levels and ensure they are at an optimal level. Many people start to feel off balance with a low mood and susceptible to every bug circulating. Often, low vitamin D levels are the reason, something I frequently witness in my clinic Vitamin D is essential for several critical aspects of our well-being, including immune function, mood regulation, energy levels, gut health, and thyroid function.  It is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin”, as it is created in our skin in response to sunlight exposure. During winter, shorter days and wearing more layers mean less skin exposure to sunlight, leading to lower Vitamin D production and storage. Here are some surprising benefits of Vitamin...

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The missing nutrient for a healthy perimenopause and menopause transition?

While we hear a lot about the importance of dietary protein for women during the perimenopause and menopause transition I would argue that adequate fibre in your diet is just as important. There are so many health benefits to eating more fibre, from aiding in weight management to reducing inflammation and supporting immune health. Here’s why ensuring an adequate fibre intake is essential: Weight management - foods rich in fibre are super dense and filling. This provides the feeling of satiety or satisfaction after a meal which means you will be less likely to overeat or snack. This can certainly help manage your weight during this phase of the life cycle Prevent constipation and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome - constipation and bloating can increase during...

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Why loving bitter foods is good for you

When it comes to food it can sometimes feel too easy to focus on the sweet and savory while bitter foods are often overlooked in our diet. One of the most harmful shifts in our diet over the past 50 years has been the persistent increase in the sweetness of our foods. This trend has led to a significant consequence: a growing sensitivity or aversion to bitter foods. Bitter foods may not be an obvious first choice, but from a nutritionist, their inclusion in our diet is crucial for maintaining optimal health, gut health, and promoting healthy bile flow. Before going into the benefits of eating bitter foods, let's talk about the importance of bile. Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in...

Pumpkin Haloumi Cauli Salad

Serves 2 2 cups pumpkin, cubed 2 cups cauliflower, cut into florets 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed 1 lemon, zest and juice 1 cup green beans, cut in half 2 cups rocket leaves 100g haloumi, sliced 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius, fan forced. On a baking tray, add the pumpkin and cauliflower. Drizzle over the oil and season generously with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and roast for 30-35 minutes, until golden. In the meantime, add the quinoa to a small saucepan with a cup of water. Grate the lemon zest in and leave quinoa to cook, stirring occasionally. When the liquid has been absorbed, remove from the heat. Bring a pot of water to boil and gently blanch the green beans for 2-3 minutes. Remove...

cold water therapy

Benefits of Cold and Hot Water Therapy

Are you experiencing inflammation in your body, high blood sugar or carrying excess weight ? While this is not about nutrition, this is definitely something you want to read and understand as it is another tool in your kit for supporting your health that is simple and free and could change your life. When we expose our bodies to the stress of cold or heat, It's called "hometic stress," but it's actually a good thing. This type of stress, which includes activities like taking cold showers or enjoying heat exposure, works wonders for our health. Science calls this process "hormesis," and it's like a secret superpower that helps us thrive. I'm sure you've noticed the recent craze around ice baths and cold plunges. I've delved into the...

perimenopause diet

The best foods to eat during perimenopause

Perimenopause is also known as second puberty – it is a time of major transition and hormone recalibration. Some days you may not recognise yourself and feel like you have no control of your body or mood regardless of what you do and it can feel like you are riding a rollercoaster. During perimenopause, the declining levels of progesterone and up and downs of oestrogen can cause a range of symptoms. As our sex hormone production lessens and we may experience physiological changes including weight gain, bloating and indigestion as blood sugar imbalances and digestive issues become common. This is why our diet can make such a difference during this time and why dietary habits may need adjustment to make the transition easier. This time is also referred...

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Chocolate Orange Bark

Chocolate orange bark 400g dark chocolate >70% cocao ¾ cup chopped nuts (pistachios, hazelnuts or macadamias work well) Rind of 1 orange Melt chocolate in a pan over hot water. Once melted pour onto a tray lined with baking paper. Next, sprinkle the chopped nuts and orange zest over of the melted chocolate. spread around evenly, and feel free to gently press the nuts down into the chocolate so that it is combined.Allow the chocolate bark to sit for an hour at room temperature before placing in the fridge to set. When the chocolate bark has hardened completely, break it into pieces using either your hands or a large knife. Your chocolate bark is now ready to be eaten...

sugar craving

Why am I craving sugar?

Do you have a sugar craving at the same time each day or straight after a meal? I see people who are so committed to eating well and looking after their body yet still they feel like something has taken over their body at 3pm every day. Or it may be straight after a lunch or breakfast that is seemingly healthy then bang you are hit with an insatiable need to devour a muffin or a block of chocolate. Sugar or simple carbohydrates help release a burst of our feel good hormone dopamine, so you feel good for a little while. But almost as quickly, you “crash” and return to feeling low, and the cycle starts all over again. In the long term, this can mimic the effects...

liver detox

Estrogen Detoxification

For our body to process estrogen it requires a 2 step process through our liver and gut. Women can experience what is known as estrogen dominance and this can be usually as a result of inefficient estrogen detoxification via these 2 pathways. This can look like heavy / painful periods PMS headaches fibroids endometriosis symptoms mood swings tender breasts Once the estrogen has left its receptor in the body and is no longer needed it is moved to the liver to be broken down in 2 phases before entering the gut. If the liver is functioning optimally to break down then estrogen, it will move through the 2 phases. Estrogen is then moved to the gut to be excreted. If the gut microbiome (bacteria) is balanced and healthy the estrogen will be excreted. However if its not...