Essential Diet and Lifestyle Practices for a Healthier Menopause - with Dr Nitu Bajekal

03/17/25 • 59 min

The Eat This Podcast with Dr. Alan Desmond

Today, I’m in conversation with renowned OBGYN and women’s health expert Dr. Nitu Bajekal as we tackle perimenopause, menopause, and how nutrition and lifestyle can empower women through this crucial phase of life. With over 40 years of experience in female health, Dr. Bajekal shares practical, evidence-based strategies that everyone should know!

Whether you’re approaching perimenopause, currently navigating it, or supporting a loved one through this important life stage, this episode will leave you feeling empowered and ready to start conversations with your doctor about peri-menopause and menopause, to make informed decisions about HRT, and to decide which diet and lifestyle practices are right for you.

We also cover the roles of alcohol, exercise, and community, and take time to debunk the myths around soybeans and hormonal health.

Buy your copy of Dr Nitu’s Books: Finding Me in Menopause: Flourishing in Perimenopause and Menopause using Nutrition and Lifestyle

Living PCOS Free: How to regain your hormonal health with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Visits Dr. Nitu’s website for plant-based recipes & free resources: www.nitubajekal.com

Connect with Dr. Bajekal: Instagram TikTok

Updates and tickets to live podcast recordings: Join the mailing list
Connect with Dr Alan Desmond Instagram Threads X/Twitter
Sponsored by Linwoods Healthfoods.
Shop their entire range at linwoodshealthfoods.com and use code DESMOND for a 15% saving and free delivery.

We also cover the roles of alcohol, exercise, and community, and take time to debunk the myths around soybeans and hormonal health.

Buy your copy of Dr Nitu’s Books: Finding Me in Menopause: Flourishing in Perimenopause and Menopause using Nutrition and Lifestyle

Living PCOS Free: How to regain your hormonal health with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Visits Dr. Nitu’s website for plant-based recipes & free resources: www.nitubajekal.com

Connect with Dr. Bajekal: Instagram TikTok

Previous Episode

Do Vegans Eat Too Much Junk Food? - with The Happy Pear

This bite-sized episode tackles a question that comes up time and time again: Do vegans eat too many highly processed foods? This discussion was sparked by a live Q&A with The Happy Pear, where we explored what the evidence really says about diet quality in vegans.

We break down the differences between a vegan diet and a whole food plant-based diet, looking at how food choices impact overall health. Plus, if you’re vegan (or thinking about making the switch), we share some practical tips on how to keep your diet as healthy as possible—maximizing nutrients, minimizing ultra-processed foods, and making plant-based eating work for you.

Join us as we separate fact from fiction and help you build a balanced, nourishing diet that supports long-term health.

Follow Stephen and David Flynn—The Happy Pear —on Instagram and YouTube.
Buy “The Happy Pear 20: Recipes and Learnings from the First 20 Years” on Amazon UK, Amazon US, and at all good booksellers.

Next Episode

Why I Ask My Patients To Eat More Plants!

One of the most common questions I’m asked is: “Why do you recommend a plant-based diet?”

The answer is simple: I want the best possible outcomes for my patients. As a doctor, I believe we have a duty to use every evidence-based tool available—and healthy dietary change is one of the most powerful tools we have.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Clare Day and Dr. Daisy Lund, hosts of the incredible “In a Nut Shell Podcast,” to share my journey to becoming a doctor who champions plant-based eating. From my early days in medicine to the patients who inspired me to explore the science of food, and the mentors who helped me rethink my approach, this is a conversation about how we can all become more effective advocates for a healthier, more sustainable food system. You’ll also find out what’s usually in my fridge!

Thank you to Dr. Clare Day and Dr. Daisy Lund for their help with this episode. I highly recommend that you add their In A Nut Shell Podcast to your regular listening.