As the head of health programs at CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, Nicole Pritchard shares how their new Menopause Plan leverages a decade of research to address the unique nutritional needs of perimenopausal and menopausal women.

At the heart of the program is a powerful yet simple nutritional philosophy: emphasise high-quality protein, choose low glycemic index carbohydrates, and prioritise fiber-rich foods. This approach directly addresses the physiological changes occurring during menopause, from declining muscle mass to increased cardiovascular risk.

Nicole explains that spreading protein consumption throughout the day (aiming for 25-30g per main meal) helps maintain muscle mass, support metabolism, and control appetite – all crucial during a time when many women struggle with weight management.

What sets this program apart is its practical, sustainable approach. Rather than restrictive dieting, Nicole emphasises making strategic food swaps and focusing on adding beneficial foods. The plan acknowledges real-life challenges like family meal preparation and busy schedules, offering flexible solutions that work for the entire household. From meal plans with shopping lists to online tracking tools and dietitian support, the program provides comprehensive resources while recognizing that lasting change happens through small, consistent actions.

Perhaps most importantly, Nicole explains that menopause doesn't have to mean inevitable weight gain or declining health. With the right nutritional approach, women can manage symptoms, reduce long-term health risks, and even thrive during this transition. The program represents a significant shift away from one-size-fits-all dieting toward evidence-based nutrition that honors women's changing bodies and supports them through midlife and beyond.

Links:

CSIRO Total Wellbeing Menopause Plan website

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When Professor Odette Best, Pro Vice-Chancellor (First Nations Strategy) at UniSQ discovered she was experiencing perimenopausal symptoms, she turned to her healthcare provider for answers, only to find a glaring absence of research, resources, and support specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

"The last lot of research that we did or was done in Australia was about 12 years ago, and it was done by a group of non-Indigenous women and there were 10 women that they interviewed. That's it. That's the only body of research that has been done in the country around the menopausal or perimenopausal experiences of Indigenous women," she reveals in this eye-opening conversation.

Professor Best, who has worked in women's health for 35 years, doesn't just identify the problem - she's actively working toward solutions. After appearing at the "So Hot Right Now" event at the Sydney Opera House, she assembled a team of 32 mostly Indigenous women researchers from 13 universities to study the unique experiences of Aboriginal women traversing menopause.

The challenges are significant: funding bodies that create competition rather than collaboration, healthcare providers with minimal training on menopause and diagnostic tools that fail to incorporate cultural considerations..

During our conversation we examine how proper healthcare requires cultural understanding, appropriate funding, and research led by Indigenous women for Indigenous women.

Are we ready to acknowledge these gaps and take meaningful action to address them?

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Prof Odette Best

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What if your menopause journey could be a celebration of your skin's resilience rather than a battle against it? Elizabeth Barbalich, founder and CEO of Antipodes Skincare, shares this refreshing perspective as she joins us to discuss how natural ingredients can address the unique challenges of menopausal skin.

From her kitchen table to a global brand sold in over 40 countries, Elizabeth's story embodies the power of female entrepreneurship guided by genuine purpose. She reveals how winning the Entrepreneur of the Year Product Award in New Zealand and Best Emerging Brand in Paris validated her vision, yet she finds the most meaningful moments come from women sharing how her products have genuinely improved their skin health.

The conversation delves into why Antipodes created their Jasmine Flower Menopause Facial Cream, a groundbreaking formulation specifically targeting menopausal skin concerns. Elizabeth explains the science behind key ingredients like avananthramides from oat extract that inhibit histamine release, chamomile extracts with neuropeptide properties, and plant-based hyaluronic acid that dramatically improves hydration in dehydrated menopausal skin.

What makes this discussion truly valuable is Elizabeth's holistic "inside out, outside in" approach to skincare. She emphasises that no cream alone can solve all skin challenges, advocating for nutritional awareness, reduced inflammatory foods, and increased protein intake alongside targeted skincare. Most refreshingly, she challenges the beauty industry's obsession with lineless skin, instead defining healthy skin as "radiant" regardless of age.

Don't forget to follow @SonyaLovell and @AntipodesSkincare on Instagram to enter our special skincare giveaway valued at over $250!

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Antipodes Skincare

Antipodes on Instagram

Sonya Lovell on Instagram

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