I was startled by Catherine Ho's article on the needs of older women and was prompted to write a letter to her before heading for bed last night (and after eating a delicious plant-based mushroom and onion pie with pesto):

Dear Ms. Ho~

I enjoyed your insightful August 12, 2025 article on healthy behaviors during perimenopause and menopause and appreciated the practical guidance from Dr. Kathleen Jordan and her colleagues regarding strength training.

I wanted to respectfully offer some complementary perspectives that contradict the emphasis on meat or eggs as optimal protein sources during midlife:

• Plant-based nutrition is increasingly recognized for its benefits—particularly in supporting heart health, managing cholesterol, and reducing inflammation. Large healthcare organizations such as Kaiser Permanente strongly promote plant-based dietary patterns as foundational to preventative care.

• Dr. Danielle Belardo, co-chair of the American Society for Preventive Cardiology’s Nutrition Working Group, advocates for a whole-food, plant-based approach to prevent cardiovascular disease—offering a clear contrast to recommendations centered on meat consumption.

• Emerging evidence suggests that the overall quality of one's diet—not simply whether it's labeled “plant-based” or “omnivorous”—is more strongly associated with health outcomes like insulin resistance, lipid profiles, and metabolic risk.

Given that perimenopausal and menopausal women face increased risk for heart disease, insulin resistance, and muscle loss, a broader framing that emphasizes high-quality, minimally processed plant foods—alongside lean proteins, strength training, and micronutrient sufficiency—may offer a more holistic and flexible approach for readers navigating midlife nutrition.

Thank you for covering this vital stage in women’s health. I hope these perspectives prove useful in future pieces.

Sincerely,

Tina Martin