Vegetarian meal plan for menopause
Navigate menopause gracefully with the Vegetarian Meal Plan for Menopause. This plan includes a variety of hormone-balancing foods like flaxseed smoothies, calcium-rich vegetable stir-fries, and whole grain dishes, all tailored to support women's health during menopause.
Meal plan grocery list
Greek yogurt
Mixed berries
Ground flaxseed
Quinoa
Roasted vegetables
Chickpeas
Lemon-tahini dressing
Carrots
Cucumbers
Hummus
Tofu
Broccoli
Whole grain bread
Avocado
Tomatoes
Eggs
Lentils
Mixed green salad
Balsamic vinaigrette
Peaches
Honey
Banana
Almond butter
Spinach
Brown rice
Rice cakes
Hemp seeds
Chia seeds
Strawberries
Feta cheese
Mushrooms
Pineapple chunks
Eggplant
Parmesan cheese
Whole grain spaghetti
Whole grain waffles
Veggie wrap ingredients
Fruit salad ingredients
Almond milk
Dark chocolate
Lentil and vegetable curry ingredients
Mozzarella cheese
Basil
Balsamic glaze
Whole grain crackers
Celery sticks
Peanut butter
Raisins
Butternut squash
Kale
Tofu
Mediterranean quinoa salad ingredients
Lemon-tahini dressing
Apple slices
Almond butter
Cashews
Meal plan overview
Support your health during menopause with the Vegetarian Meal Plan for Menopause. This plan focuses on foods rich in phytoestrogens, calcium, and other essential nutrients, including tofu, leafy greens, and fortified plant milks, helping to alleviate menopausal symptoms.
Each meal is designed to offer hormonal balance and bone health support, combining the benefits of vegetarian eating with the specific needs of menopause.
Foods to eat
- Fresh Fruits: All types, eaten as they are or blended into smoothies.
- Raw Vegetables: Salads, carrot sticks, and other veggie-based snacks.
- Nuts and Seeds: Raw almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds.
- Sprouted Grains and Legumes: Sprouted beans and grains for added nutrients.
- Healthy Fats: Avocados, coconut, and cold-pressed oils.
- Dried Fruits: Without added sugars or preservatives.
- Raw Nut Butters: Such as almond butter or cashew butter.
✅ Tip
Foods not to eat
- Cooked Foods: As they are not part of a raw food diet.
- Processed Foods: Including most packaged snacks and ready meals.
- Dairy Products: Milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter.
- Refined Sugars and Flours: Not typically consumed on a raw food diet.
- Meat and Eggs: Raw meat and eggs are not recommended due to health risks.
- Baked Goods: As they are cooked and often contain dairy and refined sugars.
Main benefits
The Dairy-Free Meal Plan for Raw Food Diet combines dairy-free eating with unprocessed, uncooked plant-based foods. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains, offering a nutrient-rich diet that supports overall health and vitality.
🎓 Recommended nutrient breakdown
Fat
Carbs
Protein
Fiber
Other
Food alternatives
A vegetarian meal plan for menopause can be improved with these substitutions:
- For a different source of calcium, consider using fortified almond milk instead of regular almond milk, which provides added vitamins and minerals.
- Swap Greek yogurt with soy yogurt to increase your intake of plant-based estrogens, which can be beneficial during menopause.
- Replace brown rice with quinoa for a higher protein grain that also provides more nutrients beneficial during menopause.
- Instead of feta cheese, try using nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy, which can help reduce hot flashes.
- For a different source of healthy fats, use chia seeds instead of flaxseeds, offering similar benefits with a different texture.
How to budget on this meal plan
Extra tips
Any healthy snack ideas?
Support your health during menopause with these vegetarian snacks:
- Yogurt with flaxseed
- Almonds and walnuts
- Fresh fruit like apples and oranges
- Whole grain crackers with avocado
- Edamame
- Dark chocolate
- Soy milk smoothies
What should I drink on this meal plan?
During menopause, soy milk can help with its natural phytoestrogens. Green tea is beneficial for its antioxidant properties. Flaxseed smoothies offer omega-3 fatty acids. Herbal teas like black cohosh tea can alleviate menopausal symptoms. Water, essential for overall health, helps counteract increased dryness during menopause.
How to get even more nutrients?
Meal plan suggestion
Vegetarian Meal Plan for Menopause
Day 1
- Breakfast: Greek yogurt with mixed berries and a sprinkle of ground flaxseed (Calories: 300, Protein: 20g, Carbs: 25g, Fat: 12g)
- Lunch: Quinoa and roasted vegetable salad with chickpeas and lemon-tahini dressing (Calories: 350, Protein: 12g, Carbs: 45g, Fat: 15g)
- Snack: Carrot and cucumber sticks with hummus (Calories: 100, Protein: 4g, Carbs: 15g, Fat: 4g)
- Dinner: Baked tofu with steamed broccoli and quinoa pilaf (Calories: 380, Protein: 20g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 18g)
Day 2
- Breakfast: Whole grain toast with avocado, sliced tomatoes, and a poached egg (Calories: 320, Protein: 14g, Carbs: 30g, Fat: 16g)
- Lunch: Lentil soup with a side of mixed green salad dressed with balsamic vinaigrette (Calories: 350, Protein: 15g, Carbs: 40g, Fat: 10g)
- Snack: Greek yogurt with honey and sliced peaches (Calories: 180, Protein: 15g, Carbs: 20g, Fat: 8g)
- Dinner: Stuffed bell peppers with quinoa, black beans, corn, and avocado (Calories: 400, Protein: 14g, Carbs: 50g, Fat: 16g)
Day 3
- Breakfast: Smoothie with spinach, banana, almond milk, and almond butter (Calories: 300, Protein: 10g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 15g)
- Lunch: Chickpea and avocado salad with cherry tomatoes and cilantro-lime dressing (Calories: 370, Protein: 12g, Carbs: 40g, Fat: 20g)
- Snack: Rice cakes with mashed avocado and hemp seeds (Calories: 150, Protein: 4g, Carbs: 20g, Fat: 8g)
- Dinner: Tofu stir-fry with mixed vegetables and brown rice (Calories: 400, Protein: 18g, Carbs: 45g, Fat: 15g)
Day 4
- Breakfast: Overnight oats made with almond milk, chia seeds, and sliced strawberries (Calories: 300, Protein: 8g, Carbs: 45g, Fat: 10g)
- Lunch: Spinach and feta stuffed mushrooms served with a side of quinoa (Calories: 350, Protein: 14g, Carbs: 25g, Fat: 18g)
- Snack: Cottage cheese with pineapple chunks (Calories: 180, Protein: 15g, Carbs: 20g, Fat: 6g)
- Dinner: Eggplant parmesan with whole grain spaghetti (Calories: 400, Protein: 18g, Carbs: 45g, Fat: 15g)
Day 5
- Breakfast: Whole grain waffles with Greek yogurt and mixed berries (Calories: 320, Protein: 20g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 12g)
- Lunch: Veggie wrap with hummus, shredded carrots, cucumbers, and sprouts, served with a side of fruit salad (Calories: 350, Protein: 10g, Carbs: 40g, Fat: 18g)
- Snack: Almond milk latte with a small piece of dark chocolate (Calories: 200, Protein: 4g, Carbs: 15g, Fat: 10g)
- Dinner: Lentil and vegetable curry with coconut milk, served with brown rice (Calories: 420, Protein: 16g, Carbs: 55g, Fat: 18g)
Day 6
- Breakfast: Chia seed pudding made with almond milk, topped with mixed berries and sliced almonds (Calories: 300, Protein: 8g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 15g)
- Lunch: Caprese salad with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze, served with whole grain crackers (Calories: 300, Protein: 14g, Carbs: 30g, Fat: 16g)
- Snack: Celery sticks with peanut butter and raisins (Calories: 160, Protein: 6g, Carbs: 20g, Fat: 8g)
- Dinner: Butternut squash risotto with a side of sautéed kale (Calories: 420, Protein: 10g, Carbs: 65g, Fat: 12g)
Day 7
- Breakfast: Scrambled tofu with spinach, tomatoes, and onions, served with whole grain toast (Calories: 350, Protein: 18g, Carbs: 30g, Fat: 18g)
- Lunch: Mediterranean quinoa salad with chickpeas, olives, cucumber, and feta cheese, dressed with lemon-tahini dressing (Calories: 380, Protein: 14g, Carbs: 40g, Fat: 20g)
- Snack: Apple slices with almond butter (Calories: 200, Protein: 4g, Carbs: 25g, Fat: 10g)
- Dinner: Vegetable stir-fry with tofu and cashews, served over brown rice (Calories: 400, Protein: 16g, Carbs: 50g, Fat: 18g)
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⚠️ Keep in mind
Article reviewed
- Written by our editorial team.
- Published on Feb 29, 2024
- Updated on Nov 22, 2024