As you approach menopause, your metabolism slows down, meaning you'll need to eat less. At the same time, the levels of leptin, a special protein made by fat cells to tell the brain the stomach is full, decrease making a woman more prone to overeating.

During perimenopause, roughly 10-12 years before menopause, you'll be less able to skimp on nutrients. Upping calcium in your diet can help slow down and restore bone loss. Potassium may help lower your blood pressure.

And if you suffer from anemia, as many women do before menopause due to heavy blood loss, you may need an iron supplement and to eat foods high in iron, such as green leafy vegetables, broccoli, spinach, eggs, black currants, fish, dried fruits, nuts, fortified breakfast cereals, chocolates, meats, liver, and fish.

Other food sources include almonds, avocados, beets, blackstrap molasses, brewer's yeast, dates, kidney and lima beans, lentils, peaches, pears, raisins, rice and wheat bran, sesame seeds, soybeans, and tofu.