Episode 240 - What Should We Really Eat in Menopause After Cancer?

Protein, sugar, soya, supplements, inflammation… what should we actually be eating when we're navigating menopause after cancer? Cancer treatment can bring on menopause earlier than expected, and suddenly we're dealing with a whole new set of challenges. Weight changes, hot flushes, bone health, cholesterol, fatigue and brain fog — all while wondering whether what we eat might affect our long-term health or risk of cancer recurrence. And with so much conflicting nutrition advice out there, it's easy to feel completely overwhelmed! In this episode, I'm joined by returning guest, nutritionist and now bestselling author (!!) Julie, to cut through the confusion and help us understand what really matters when it comes to eating well in menopause after cancer. We're playing a game of Yes, No or Maybe?, tackling some of the questions we hear most often: Can changing our diet really make a difference to our health after cancer? If we're already eating healthily, do we need to change anything when menopause hits? Does the type of cancer we've had affect what we should eat? Do we need different diets for our bones, cholesterol, heart health and menopause symptoms? Does sugar really feed cancer? Is soya safe after cancer? What about red meat and dairy? Are there supplements we should be taking — or avoiding? And do we still need nutrition books in the age of AI and social media?! This is a practical conversation about nourishing our bodies, supporting our health through menopause and letting go of unnecessary food fears. Because after everything our bodies have been through, eating well should be about feeling better, not adding another layer of worry. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Intro and quick-fire questions with Julie 07:11 Addressing food anxiety and confusion 12:04 Mediterranean diet principles overview 18:13 Menopause and dietary support 20:32 Supporting Hormones Through Diet 25:13 Post-treatment weight management struggles 27:59 Discussing cholesterol and endocrine treatment 33:05 Balancing Blood Sugar Levels 36:18 Discussing blood sugar management 37:41 Skipping or delaying breakfast 40:54 Red meat consumption guidelines 48:02 Discussing supplement effectiveness and costs Resources mentioned: Julie's new book: https://amzn.eu/d/034hftyv You can find Julie here https://www.juliewebbnutrition.org/ Navigating Menopause After Cancer by Dani Binnington https://amzn.eu/d/03rPbPvs Other podcast episodes with Julie: Ep 147 – Which Diet Helps Ease Menopause Symptoms After Cancer? with Julie Webb Ep 161 – Why a High-Protein Diet Isn't The Answer with Julie Webb Ep 190 – Inflammation and Menopause After Cancer: How Food Can Help with Julie Webb Connect with us: For more information and resources, visit our website: www.menopauseandcancer.org Follow us on Instagram @menopause_and_cancer Find us on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@NavigatingMenopauseAfterCancer Join my NEW blog ‘Still Becoming’ on Substack: https://substack.com/@danibinnington?... Buy my book ‘Navigating Menopause After Cancer’: https://amzn.eu/d/07dUoYBb Join our Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/menopauseandcancerchathub