It’s no secret that processed foods make life convenient, and when you’re dealing with menopause and its sometimes unpredictable ups and downs, it’s tempting to reach for quick fixes that promise energy, balance, or weight management. The supermarket shelves are full of products marketed as ‘healthy’, but many of them hide additives and chemicals that may do more harm than good.
Recent reports highlight growing concern about certain additives – some already banned in the EU, others under review – and why we should all be paying closer attention to what’s on the label.
The sneaky culprits dressed up as healthy choices
- Low-fat or ‘light’ yoghurts – Marketed as slimming and gut-friendly, but often loaded with artificial sweeteners and thickeners (like carrageenan). These can irritate the gut and disrupt the microbiome – not ideal when hormone changes are already unsettling your digestion.
- Plant-based milks – While they can be a great option, many brands use emulsifiers (like polysorbate-80) to keep them smooth and creamy. These additives may thin the gut’s protective mucus lining, potentially fuelling bloating and inflammation – two symptoms women often notice more in midlife.
- Protein bars and powders – A favourite for energy and muscle maintenance, but many are highly ultra-processed, with long lists of sweeteners, gums, and artificial flavourings. The protein is there, but so is the chemical cocktail.
- Breakfast cereals and granolas – Branded as high-fibre and fortified with vitamins, yet many varieties are full of refined carbs, sugar substitutes, and artificial colours. These can trigger blood sugar spikes and crashes, which make hot flushes and mood swings worse.
- Ready-made ‘slimming’ or meal replacement shakes – Promoted as convenient and nutrient-rich, but packed with stabilisers, artificial flavours, and sweeteners. They may leave you more bloated, tired, and hungrier later on.
Why this matters in menopause
During menopause, the body is more vulnerable to blood sugar swings, bone density loss, and gut imbalances. Relying on foods with sneaky additives may intensify:
- Hot flushes (triggered by blood sugar spikes, caffeine, and alcohol)
- Bloating and digestive discomfort (linked to emulsifiers and gums)
- Mood swings, irritability and fatigue (exacerbated by refined carbs and sweeteners)
- Long-term risks to bone and heart health (when ‘fortified’ foods are chosen over natural nutrient sources)
- Weight gain
- Sleep issues
What to do instead
- Choose whole foods first: natural yoghurt, unsweetened soya milk, nuts, seeds, leafy greens, and oily fish
- Get your protein from (grass-fed where possible) meat, poultry and fish
- Limit processed meats, fizzy drinks, and ready meals – these are often the biggest culprits
- Cook simple meals at home – this way, you know what’s going in your food
- Read ingredient labels carefully – if the list is long and full of numbers or chemicals you don’t recognise, put it back on the shelf
For extra menopause support, take two of our Menopause Plus capsules daily with a little food and water.
The bottom line: if a product shouts ‘low-fat’, ‘light,’ or ‘high-protein,’ it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s inside. Especially during menopause, your body deserves nourishing foods – not sneaky additives.
Make these changes to your shopping list
If you would like to know more about our range of natural (additive-free) supplements, or have a question about a gut, digestive or women’s health issue, please get in touch.
