Highlights Menopause affects far more than hot flushes; it also shifts digestion, blood sugar, sleep, and mood There is no single menopause diet that fixes everything; steady patterns matter more than one magic food Protein becomes more important during menopause as muscle mass naturally starts to decline Gut health and bloating often become more unpredictable during this stage of life Weight can stop responding the way it used to, and that is a hormonal shift, not a lack of