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Food, Blood Sugar & Perimenopause: What’s Changed?

by Beth Campagna

Why You Can’t Eat Like You Used To – The Truth About Food, Blood Sugar and Perimenopause

You’re eating the same meals. You’re moving regularly. So why do you feel sluggish, bloated, and like your jeans keep getting tighter?

The truth is, your body processes food differently in midlife, and the science now backs that up.

Groundbreaking Research on Midlife Metabolism

Recent findings from the ZOE PREDICT study, which looked at how thousands of people metabolise food, showed something powerful:
Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women have a significantly worse response to meals compared to younger women or men.

When researchers gave all participants identical meals, they found:

  • Blood sugar (glucose) spiked higher and stayed elevated longer in midlife women

  • Fat metabolism (triglycerides) was also slower and less efficient

Translation? Even if you're eating "normally," your body may now be storing more fat and dealing with more inflammation than it used to.

This Isn’t About Willpower

This isn’t your fault. It’s not a lack of discipline.
It’s biology. And for years, women haven’t been studied properly because research focused mainly on men - they’re “easier” to study because they don’t have menstrual cycles or hormonal shifts.

Only recently have studies begun focusing on women like you, and the results are both validating and a wake-up call.

So What Can You Do?

Here’s what works:

  • Strength training to build muscle (which supports better blood sugar control)

  • Eating more protein and fibre to slow blood sugar spikes

  • Prioritising sleep and recovery – they’re key for hormone and metabolic health

  • Learning how to eat in a way that works with your hormones, not against them

The Bottom Line
You’re not broken, your body is simply evolving.
You just need tools, support, and a plan that’s built for this stage of life.

If you’re over 40 and ready to feel strong, energised and in control again, I can help. Click to fill out the form below and let’s talk about what’s really going on

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