The Change of Life Diet & Cookbook, by Elaine Magee - Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Book Reviews

Tundraco's Daily Living Guide to Book Reviews

The Change of Life Diet & Cookbook, by Elaine Magee

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The Change of Life Diet & Cookbook
Delicious, Healthy Recipes to Savor Before, During, and After Menopause.
By Elaine Magee, MPH, R.D.
Friendly Advice and Healthy Tips for Relieving Menopausal Symptoms the HRT-Free Way.
Avery, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. (2004)
ISBN: 1-58333-190-5

Reviewed by Rochelle Caviness

Recently studies have indicated that HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) may pose more risks than benefits for menopausal women. This is not to say that it is 'not right' for every woman. For some women, hormone replacement therapy might be indicated. This, however, is a decision that each woman must make herself, in conjunction with her doctor's advice. In the recent past, HRT was often prescribed to help reduce or eliminate the symptoms related to perimenopause and menopause. It was also prescribed to help minimize some of the health risks, such as osteoporosis, which can be exacerbated by the decreased hormone levels experienced by postmenopausal women. So what are you to do if you and your doctor decide that HRT is not for you? Are you doomed to experience all the wonderful symptoms, such as night sweats, hot flashes, and weight changes that are associated with going through menopause? According to Elaine Magee, the answer is, "No!"

There are various alternative treatments that can be used to relieve menopausal symptoms without resorting to HRT - and the treatment that Magee promotes is one that is easy to swallow - food! Magee is a registered dietitian and a well-respected author of more than twenty cooking and health related books, including the Tell Me What to Eat If I have Diabetes and The Flax Cookbook.

In her new book, The Change of Life Diet & Cookbook Magee offers practical and easy to follow advice on how to cope with menopause, and how to relieve the most common symptoms related to menopause by eating specific foods that are probably already in your pantry. This informative book not only provides advice and tips on surviving menopause without HRT, but it also provides a host of delicious recipes that incorporate the foods that Magee advocates as part of a healthy, menopausal diet. Best of all, these recipes are family-friendly, quick and easy to prepare, and they use common, easy to find ingredients. In addition, each recipe in this book includes handy serving suggestions and nutritional information.

Rather than dividing the recipes into categories such as main dishes, cakes, and the like, Magee has chosen to arrange the recipes in thematic categories. These categories cover the seven most common symptoms related to menopause, namely hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, sexual dysfunction, mood swings, memory problems, and changes in metabolism. Magee also includes chapters on osteoporosis and how to reduce the risk of colon cancer. As with menopausal symptoms, Magee explains how women can reduce their risk of developing osteoporosis and colon cancer by eating correctly.

Throughout this text, Magee clearly explains what menopause is, and the indicators, causes, treatments, and effects of each of the symptoms associated with menopause. She also explains why the various foods she recommends are useful for treating each symptom. Furthermore, she offers handy tips on how to deal with each symptom, such as dressing in layers to cope with hot flashes and simple steps to take to help boost your metabolism and lose weight. She also explains the importance of exercise and the issues surrounding alcohol consumption and menopause.

The Change of Life Diet & Cookbook is a superb book for any women, in any stage of menopause. Not only does it offer excellent suggestions and advice on how to naturally handle the physical symptoms associated with menopause, but in this book Magee also offers authoritative advice on how to relieve the symptoms with food instead of using potentially harmful treatments such as hormone replacement therapy. Rather than just mentioning which foods to eat, Magee has provided a well-rounded selection of recipes that incorporate the suggested ingredients. Best of all, these recipes are tasty, easy to make, and perfect for serving to the whole family without ever having to mention the reason why you might happen to be making a specific dish. The recipes in this book run the gamut from everyday fare such as Cabbage and Sesame Tofu Salad with Crunch Topping and Homestyle Lentil Soup to fancier dishes such as Smoked Salmon Crostini with Caviar and Crab-Stuffed Deviled Eggs. From drinks and desserts, to soups and salads, this book contains more than 100 recipes that will suit almost any taste or craving. When you get to stock your medicine cabinet with Banana Coffee Cake and Chocolate Chip Streusel, you'll find that you'll look forward to taking your medicine!

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