How much do you think about food these days?

I love the idea of us feeding ourselves well as an act of self care and pleasure. But there's something people don't talk about very much - and that's the increased risk for eating disorder during the menopause transition. That's right - as many of us notice our bodies changing shape or putting on more weight, we might try to control these things through what and how we eat.

There's a lot of posts on the internet about how to eat in this time period. This post is not one of them. I don't want to contribute to your risk for eating disorder. There are many reasons bodies may change size or shape - and only some of them are in our control. Dieting has longstanding impacts on our metabolism and severe food restriction is associated with undesirable health outcomes. So I'm not here to tell you what to eat.

I would like to bring your attention to how much of your attention food is occupying right now.

• Are you currently restricting your diet?

• Do you feel like you have to "earn" food with fasting or exercise?

• Are your dietary choices primarily to control your size and/or shape?

• Do you get pleasure from food?

• Do you think about food a lot? Do you think about whether or not to eat a lot?

• What do you think would happen if you allowed yourself to eat in a more instinctual way?

The experience of menopause related body changes can be challenging. Our bodies carry our ancestral memory and are preparing us for life after ovulation. Weight gain at this time of life is common. Our genes are contributing, and maybe our current modern lifestyles are adding further effect. But due to cultural messaging, this isn't a neutral experience for most of us.

• When you think of the women in your family, and their postmenopausal bodies, are you worried your body will look like theirs?

• Do you think that these family members did menopause right? wrong?

• Do people in larger bodies seem worth of love and respect to you?

• Are the effects on your joints or clothing fit becoming a problem?

• Are you worried weight gain is a sign of a medical problem?

Dietary choices can be a powerful force in our longterm health, but there is a difference between choices that work with our bodies and instincts, and those choices that work to control the body and its messages. The menopause transition can be a powerful time for coming more into communion with your body and what makes it feel great. Establishing trust with your body is the first step on this path. For an exploration of these concepts, consider the book Reclaiming Body Trust. If you think you could have an eating disorder, or another medical problem, consider a healthcare visit to get connected to professionals who can help. I wish you much joy and discovery as you move through this time of your life with your amazing, capable, powerful body.