1. Why Am I Hungrier After I Eat?
2. Am I Destined To Gain During The Change?
3. Do I Really Have To Drink That Much Water?

Why Am I Hungrier After I Eat?   Lately I’m ravenous after meals.  I started eating more protein when I read that it can satisfy hunger, but no amount of lean fish, nut butters or protein shakes helps.  The increasing number on my scale is a testament to this!  What am I doing wrong? 

When people feel hungrier after eating, the culprit is likely a body-wide yeast or parasitic infection.  These organisms generate biochemical signals that the brain registers as hunger, and those signals intensify when the stomach is full.  Unfortunately, consuming more protein can worsen the problem since yeast lurks in protein powder and nonorganic nut butters, and parasites abound in fish.  To cleanse your body of these invaders, take a grapefruit seed extract (GSE) supplement for two weeks.  Health-food stores carry GSE, but I take Uni Key Verma-Plus and Uni Key Para Plus ($31 each for a two-week supply; call 800-888-4353 to order, and mention First to save 10 percent).  These products contain GSE and other antipathogenic herbs.  

Am I Destined To Gain During The Change?  I was always one of those women who could eat anything and not gain an ounce—but now that I’m perimenopausal, I’m worried.  My sister packed on 15 pounds in just four months when she hit menopause, and I don’t want that to happen to me.  Any advice? 

Although the average woman gains 7 to 10 pounds during perimenopause (and another 5 during menopause), you can beat the odds.  Research reveals that menopausal women who simply take a daily multivitamin are 8 pounds slimmer than women who don’t.  The reason: A multi supplies nutrients (like iodine, magnesium and vitamins B and C) that rev metabolism, burn fat and keep hormone levels balanced.  It may also help to take a wild yam extract (found in Now Female Balance, $8 for a one-month supply, at iHerb.com or health food stores).  The herb contains diosgenin, a progesterone imitator that makes up for the hormonal shortfalls that cause weight gain. 

Do I Really Have To Drink That Much Water?   I know drinking water is good for me, but I don’t like the taste of it.  And now I hear that we should be drinking more like 11 glasses (not 8) daily.  Is there a more exciting way to meet my quota? 

New guidelines do suggest that women tack on three more glasses of water daily, and I believe doing so will help eliminate health-harming toxins.  The good news is that water-rich foods (including fruits like berries and melons, vegetables like lettuce and cucumbers, rich dishes and soups) count toward your water intake.  Generally, two servings of these foods is the equivalent of one 8 oz. serving of water.  There are also new products that make water tastier, like the citrus powders True Lime and True Lemon $4 for 40 packets, at grocery stores) and flavored stevia extracts like SweetLeaf Stevia in Valencia orange and apricot flavors ($14 for 2 oz., at health food stores and amazon.com).