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Professor Sarah Berry: The Truth About Diet & Menopause

Begin Again with Davina McCall

72,015 views

In this episode of Begin Again, Davina is joined by Professor Sarah Berry, a leading researcher in nutrition and menopause. Together, they unpack the myths surrounding diet and its true impact on menopausal symptoms. Sarah reveals how small, science-backed changes can lead to big improvements, helping you take control of your health with confidence. Whether you're navigating menopause yourself or want to better understand its effects, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew—and leave you feeling empowered to make positive, lasting changes.

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00:00 Intro
03:10 The Truth About Protein: How Much Do You Really Need?
06:50 Processed Foods & Healthy Eating: What You Should Know
10:24 Rethinking Nutrition: A Balanced Approach
27:09 Understanding Inflammation & How to Reduce It
29:57 Sponsored: Zoe Ad
31:15 Sponsored: Adobe Ad
32:14 Slow Down! Why Eating Pace Matters
37:05 Making Time for Home Cooking (Even with a Busy Schedule)
38:15 Menopause & Diet: The Real Impacts
50:54 What Is Menowashing?
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Adobe - https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/

20 Comments

@sally-annereeder5180 1 year ago (edited)

I'm 46 , and assume I'm perimenopausal . I started nearly 3 years ago with intermittent fasting . I lost over 2 stone in a year and have maintained this weight ever since . I've followed all of your podcasts , including Zoe , cut out ultra processed food, and been eating whole foods and fermented foods etc . I workout 5-6 days a week . The symptoms I had been getting in my early 40s have gone , mentally and physically , i feel stronger . Thank you for all the advice xxxxx

@wackthegood8884 1 year ago

Davina is so right about food in France. My children were born and raised here. At school lunch, they had a 4-course meal every day! (Salad or soup generally to start, meat or fish or legumes with vegetables and some carbs for the main, a piece of cheese or yoghurt for a portion of dairy, and then a dessert, which was usually based on fruit) They were only allowed chips (french fries) twice per month, and only had a chocolate dessert twice per month also. My 'kids' are now in their 30s and are still both slender and in good health. In comparison, their UK cousins had school lunches, where they could choose between chicken nuggets, pizza, fish fingers etc... Their 2 English cousins (the same age) are now both obese.

@EmmaSeyi-Onabule 1 year ago

It always gladdens and saddens my heart when I hear strong women talking about the menopause. On one hand it’s amazing that women are speaking up and there’s so much more information out there now. On the other hand, I’m sad that I’m yet to see women that look like me, black women, talking about it or given the opportunity to talk about it on mainstream platforms like this in the U.K. even though the process is so much harder for us with profound consequences. I am not famous or even important but I am a black perimenopausal woman who would like to share my story so that others that look like me are encouraged to do same and break the silence in my community. It is literally a matter of life and death for us.

@lisab9734 1 year ago

I adore these podcasts. Can I just make a suggestion though? I think you need to work on your titles. Because for this one I think people who aren’t menopausal will see menopause and then turn off. This video is suitable for all. The same as the lady who had the vegan title. It was so much more than being vegan. But those words will make so many people turn off from such important advice.

@anamartins1970 1 year ago

I lived in the UK for a while, and I was chocked to see that every worker and every child at school only have 30 minutes to have their lunch. Here in Portugal, we have 1 hour minimum. Food and eating isn't appreciated like in the Mediterranean countries, it's just a necessity for most people, unfortunately. Also, we eat at the table with family/ friends, not sat on the sofa watching telly with the food on our lap.

@emilyrennie2612 1 year ago

I am really enjoying this, big fan of Sarah’s work, and yours to Davina. Enjoying the whole thing, but must say I appreciate the setting too. It’s so arty and cosy, it feels like being part of a conversation between two friends.

(As someone who is quite poorly and can’t leave my house, it makes it a real joy!!)

@leeleequeenbee 1 year ago

I’m Australian born with Italian heritage. We also only get 30 minutes for lunch. I’ve been hairdressing 33 years.
I asked the boss at my last full time job, if I could please take an extra 30 minutes without pay to add to my lunch break. She said no… even though I was prepared to work later.
So I left that job and found an employer where I worked as a casual employee and set my own hours.
From there I became self employed so I have even greater control of my day.
I can’t look after my health properly when I don’t get tea breaks, loo breaks and lunch breaks. If clients arrived early, we were expected to stop lunch and service the client immediately.
I used to finish work and go home, sit at the kitchen table and cry… hormones completely out of whack.

@allisondriver5257 1 year ago

I've just discovered your channel and I want to thank you. I live in France, and I'm in the perimenopause and just like you said I feel alone. It's amazing to have some support and guidance and everything was so informative and interesting. Thank you ❤

@carly_biscuit_beatz 1 year ago

This is a fascinating watch. The bits about the food matrix was particularly mind blowing - but yet so understandable. The whole and ground almonds explanation made it clear as day.

Going to the school food thing, my sister used to work in a school kitchen here in the UK - and the food where they could was made fresh BUT the budget was so pathetic that the ingredients were lacking, the food was low in nutritional value and the prices of fruit and healthy snacks or drinks were so high that the kids couldn't buy it. Healthy eating has to be a government thing and money in schools for catering simply has to be improved.

@katiesedgwick4244 1 year ago

Riboflavin B2 is the vitamin that dyes your urine bright yellow (also used as a colouring). Vitamin D with K2 supports absorption for bone health. The soil is depleted and sadly food cannot give us as much as it did 50 to 100 years ago. Magnesium is often called nature's tranquilizer, there are over 300 functions magnesium supports in the body!

@peachtan9534 1 year ago

i cook my children meal to school,she come home crying said why i am eating lunch box ,all my friends is have a snack cake and crisps,biscuits, chocolate ,and i have vegetables fish and fruit.and they no one sit with me ,and she difficult to making friends because the whole school is eating that kind the lunch .as a mum i feel so sorry for her and in the same time i dont want her to eat like them😢

@jacquelinearcher1158 8 months ago

Growing up we never snacked at night..when did this start.when treats got cheaper…back in the 60s 70s chocolate was a Saturday night treat maybe . Mums sat and knitted at night…

@jackiebudd7315 1 year ago

I bloody love Sarah - I could listen to her for years! That was a fantastic video - Davinia pitched it perfectly. More please 😊

@jolovell1031 1 year ago

I sometimes find it difficult that a question is asked, but we don't get to hear the answer properly as Davina moved on to the next thing.

@hulyaungor1285 1 year ago

Almond theory can apply to smoothies. Processing fruits and vegetables simultaneously reduces the quality of the food. Despite this, many dietitians and influencers continue to promote smoothies.

@JowitaChanowska 1 year ago

It’s the vitamin D that needs to be taken with vitamin K2 for good absorption. I’m surprised the guest is unaware of this. Supermarket bought vitamins is a huge no no - they are mostly full of bulking agents etc; it is an unregulated industry therefore we must always buy from a reputable brands which are definitely not found in supermarkets or not even in Holland and Barrett’s. Also, eggs - 10 eggs a day won’t affect your cholesterol as long as you combine them with the right foods. There are so many things in this interview that aren’t right. The only good advice that the guest has given is to eat a wide variety of whole foods.

@ErikaDennis-k3s 1 year ago (edited)

Wow. I needed this as today i have felt so low and have questioned everything I have been trying. Im 37, I have coeliac disease and have struggled with a hormone imbalance which incldues weight gain and inability to lose weight which has been massively impacting my mental health, on top of allsorts of those othet symtoms you have mentioned. Also at 37, and looking at my symptoms, ive been very aware of peri menopause and diet. This has made me realise that for the most part, i am doing all the right things such as switching to plant based but it has also given me so much to consider such as snacking as I am a 9pm brew drinker with a sweet snack and also getting more fibre. I will absolutely be changing that, and its only a small changes- easier said than done i know but still a minor change in the scheme of other changes i have had to make. Really helpful chat, its all just so good to know and explained so well. Would love to see more conversations with Sarah. Thank you ❤

@janinekay 1 year ago

Can’t wait to watch this the intro is intriguing …I’m 54 and a half and not had a period now for 4 months so I’m finally entering menopause 😮 a big thanks you two for highlighting this important topic.. I’ll be taking everything in when I watch more .. firstly I’m gonna enjoy a cuppa and some chocolate 🍫.. dark chocolate that is as I’ve heard it’s good for you !

@persiancat19 1 year ago

This is just what I need . I've been on hrt gel for a couple of years . All symptoms gone, but my stomach looks pregnant all the time and I can't shift the weight that I've never had before . Thank you for your advice ❤