Breeze through menopause!

Think brain fog, belly fat and poor sleep go hand in hand with menopause? Think again! Here’s how you can beat menopausal symptoms naturally.

Stay strong . . . with cheese!

Over time, our bodies tend to find it harder to process muscle-building protein, something that consuming smaller amounts of protein at each meal helps counter. “Your body can only process a certain amount of protein at one time, so it’s best to spread your protein intake over the course of a day,” says obstetrician-gynecologist Ann Lutich, M.D. Two 1-oz. slices of cheese contain more than 33% of the protein you need each day, making it the perfect protein-boosting addition to any meal.

Shoo brain fog . . . by eating like a Greek!

It’s not your imagination: Menopause can cause temporary bouts of forgetfulness! “Estrogen helps keep our brain sharp, and when it suddenly declines, brain fog can set in,” says clinical nutritionist Michelle Schoffro Cook, PH.D. To the rescue: a classic Greek diet full of fresh produce, extra-virgin olive oil and whole grains! Compounds in these foods boost concentration by “helping to stabilize fluctuating hormones by keeping protein and antioxidant levels up,” explains women’s health expert Marcelle Pick, M.D.

Thicken your hair . . . with H2O!

There’s a reason your hair seems more brittle and your skin more lined with menopause: “Estrogen and progesterone are directly involved with skin elasticity and moisture, so as they drop, it becomes more important to boost water intake to counter this hormonal moisture loss,” says Schoffro Cook. Her advice: Sip half your weight in ounces each day (80 oz. or 10 cups if you weigh 160 pounds).

Sleep soundly . . . with moisture-wicking p.j.’s!

A whopping 80% of us experience hot flashes with menopause, according to Harvard research. And when they hit at night, they create a vicious cycle that interrupts sleep and affects everything from concentration to mood! “Lowered estrogen causes the thermostat in the brain to be oversensitive to small changes in temperature and results in sweating at lower temperatures,” says Diana Bitner, M.D., author of I Want to Age Like That! Healthy Aging Through

Midlife and Menopause. An easy fix: wearing moisture-wicking p.j.’s in natural fibers like bamboo and cotton, which pull away perspiration and cool your body as you slumber. One option: bsoft pajama set, $29.99 at Amazon.