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Menopause is the last stage in the reproductive cycle of women. This phase of the reproductive cycle signifies the end of menstruation in a woman. Once a woman enters the menopausal phase, she is no longer fertile and has no chance of conceiving.

Women have three transitional stages in their reproductive systems, which impart changes to their lives. A woman is believed to have changed from being a child into being a woman with her menarche (commencement of menstruation). She is now capable of bearing children and menopause marks the end of this stage.

The symptoms of menopause include:

• Inhibition of menstrual phase of the reproductive cycle.
• Vaginal dryness.
• Loss of hair on the head and sometimes, spur of hairs on face.
• Mood swings.
• Hot flashes or night sweating.
• Abnormal weight gain.

The symptoms of menopause can be highly distressing and may be alleviated by consuming a balanced and proper diet. Some of the foods that must be included in the diet of women undergoing menopause are melons, bananas, salmon, cabbage, cucumber, seaweeds, pumpkin, and apricots.

There are also some foods that should be avoided or consumed in restricted quantities during this period. The foods that must be limited in the diet of menopausal women are:

• Potatoes must be restricted in diet.
• The amount of intake of caffeine must be limited and as such, the consumption of coffee, tea, and colas must be checked. Green tea can be a substitute for coffee.
• Refined foods must also be restricted in the diet. The most common refined food used in the households is refined oil like sunflower oil. It is recommended that you substitute these oils with unprocessed oils like wheat germ oil, virgin olive oil and flax oil.
• Women undergoing menopause must also cut back on their consumption of spicy foods. These foods may cause an inflammation of the lower part of the reproductive tubes, thereby aggravating the symptoms of menopause.
• Chocolates must also be restricted in the diet of women during menopause.
• Women in this phase of their lives are also advised to cut down on the intake of raw bran as this may inhibit calcium absorption leading to a weakening of the skeletal system.
• It is also recommended that you restrict the consumption of saturated fats like cheese and butter.
• Limit your intake of alcohol.
• Women must also limit their intake of salt as excessive consumption of salt may cause increases in blood pressure, palpitation, and other heart ailments.