For most people, the approaching holidays are a happy and exciting time.

For many others, Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day is a time of increased anxiety and sadness.

Women in perimenopause and menopause often find that anxiety and sadness are two of the most troublesome menopause symptoms.

Currently, one-fourth of US women 60 and over are taking an antidepressant. In 2018, there were 240.7 million antidepressant prescriptions filled. Many more go untreated.

To be sure, antidepressants can be very helpful. But the words of Hippocrates from around 400 BC still ring true today. “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

There is an increasing body of studies demonstrating the helpful mental health benefits of dietary fiber and other food choices. This has led to an entire segment of medicine now being referred to as Nutritional Psychiatry. You can actually treat a significant mental health challenge with your fork.

I was recently interviewed by First For Women about this topic. Take two minutes to read this well-written article that will be helpful in calming anxiety or sadness whether or not you are in perimenopause or menopause. I hope you find it beneficial.