Alright, let’s talk about something almost every woman nearing menopause has heard—or worse, been told to do: change your diet. But is this advice really the golden ticket to managing menopause, or could it be steering us straight into another trap? The recent Time essay by Cole Kazdin dives headfirst into this hot mess, questioning why diet is always Stage One in menopause treatment. Spoiler alert: it’s complicated, and not necessarily in a good way.

The Diet-Mania Dilemma

Most people associate menopause with weight gain—that pesky, unwelcome symptom that somehow becomes the headline act instead of the real biological shifts happening behind the scenes. Kazdin calls out this phenomenon bluntly: weight gain is often the first symptom women notice during perimenopause and the first thing to be “fixed.” But what if this obsession with fixing weight is just a smokescreen, distracting from more important health needs and emotional wellbeing?

Hang on, though—isn’t diet change always a healthy move during major life transitions? Not so fast. The problem lies in the automatic use of diet as a treatment, often accompanied by guilt-tripping and reinforcing harmful body image ideals. This can lead women to develop or relapse into disordered eating patterns—a dark side of menopause care almost no one talks about.

More Than Just Calories: Hormones, Mood, and More

Menopause isn’t just about calories in and calories out. It’s a hormone hurricane, affecting estrogen, progesterone, and a whole cocktail of chemicals that can take your mood, sleep, and metabolism for a wild ride. Focusing solely on dietary restriction ignores these complex shifts, making women feel it’s all their fault if the scale doesn’t budge.

Here’s where we need to flip the script. Instead of “diet as punishment,” what if diet became nourishment, a way to support your changing body without shame or fear?

What Does This Mean for Fertility and Beyond?

Okay, you might be wondering: What does menopause diet culture have to do with fertility? Plenty, actually. The journey toward parenthood—and sometimes beyond it—gets tangled up with how we view our bodies and health. For many, navigating fertility involves diet and lifestyle changes; for others, it’s about finding the right technology or support system, like MakeAMom’s innovative at-home insemination kits.

MakeAMom is trailblazing a supportive space where people can take control of their fertility journey without the high costs and stress of clinical settings. Their kits—ranging from CryoBaby for frozen sperm to BabyMaker for those with sensitivities—offer flexible, discreet, and reusable options designed with real people in mind. And that’s huge when you’re juggling the emotional rollercoaster of fertility and body changes. (Curious? Check out their resources for a holistic approach to conception here.)

So, What’s the Takeaway?

Here’s the kicker: weight gain during perimenopause is real, but the knee-jerk reaction to “fix” it with diet-only solutions is often unhelpful and sometimes harmful. For true wellness, women need a broader toolkit—one that embraces hormonal realities, mental health, and yes, body diversity.

• Embrace nutrition that fuels your energy and mood, not just weight loss.
• Recognize the signs of disordered eating and seek compassionate help if needed.
• Explore fertility options that respect your pace and comfort, including at-home solutions.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• Has the emphasis on diet during your menopause journey felt more stressful than supportive?
• Are you getting care that looks beyond the scale and values your whole-body health?
• How might embracing body-positive fertility aids improve your experience?

If these questions resonate, you’re not alone—and it’s absolutely okay to challenge the old narratives. For many, companies like MakeAMom are pivotal in offering alternatives that center your needs and choices.

Final Thoughts

Menopause—and fertility—are complex, intimate journeys that deserve respect for their full experience. Instead of automatically tying treatments to dieting, it’s time to shift expectations toward holistic wellness and self-compassion. Because, honestly, your value isn’t measured in pounds or cycles but in your strength to navigate life on your terms.

What’s your experience with menopause and diet culture? Have you felt pressured to “fix” your body rather than understand it? Drop your thoughts below—we’re all in this together!