Food and lifestyle support for women in perimenopause and menopause.
Hi, I'm Bea Graffigna...
...and I'm entering menopause myself.
For years, menopause felt far away. Something that happened to other women, later.
Around 44, it started with small things. I began waking at 3 or 4am. People said it was stress, but I didn't feel stressed. My body stopped responding to food the way it always had, and I felt bloated more often.
The 3am wake-ups made me stop and wonder what was happening.
What is happening to me?
Is this normal?
What am I doing wrong?
What can I change?
Nobody really explained this part. So I looked for answers, trained as a coach, and started changing things one at a time.
For the last 8 years or so, I've swapped toast with butter and jam, or a croissant, for more filling breakfasts. I tried porridge with fruit and nuts first, then homemade oat pancakes and Greek yoghurt with fruit and granola, and I make a cooked breakfast with eggs and vegetables when time allows. I looked at my evenings too and built a calmer routine for better sleep. And I started moving more: a few easy exercises first, then resistance bands, and strength work is now part of my routine.
It's still a work in progress, and it's never too late to start, whatever your age or stage.
I know how it feels
To wake at 3am
To second-guess every meal
To crave more than you used to
To watch your waistline change
I'm living it too.
Not an ending
In Japan, this stage is called kōnenki (更年期, こうねんき), a word that speaks of change and renewal rather than an ending, and I like that idea.
Menopause is often talked about as something to survive.
I see it as a transformation.
A good storm, if you like. It changes a lot, and it can be hard, but many women describe coming out of it more confident, more experienced and a lot less interested in what others think.
What matters is having the right boat to get through it.
There’s a lot of life ahead of us to enjoy, and it’s worth looking after yourself for.
How I work
That's where I come in. My coaching is practical and personal.
I don't do rigid or one-size-fits-all plans. They don't fit real life, and they don't fit a body that's changing.
Together, we look at:
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your habits and patterns
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your energy, sleep and day-to-day life
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what’s already working (and what isn’t)
From there, we build changes that fit your life.
No all-or-nothing. No extremes.
Food and cooking have always brought me joy
I grew up learning to cook from my mum, and over the years I've adapted recipes to suit what actually works for my body and my timetable, without losing the pleasure of eating.
MJoy comes from my mum’s initials, and joy is the point. Feeling better shouldn't mean giving up the foods you love, or eating with guilt. It should mean understanding your body well enough to nourish it, and still enjoy it.
Less second-guessing. More enjoying your food.
I’m a qualified Health and Nutrition Coach (Level 4 BTEC Diploma), a UKIHCA member and fully insured. I work within my scope of practice, offering guidance and support tailored to you, not prescriptive plans or medical advice.
Originally from Tenerife in the Canary Islands, I'm based in East Sussex. I work in English and Spanish, online and in person around Brighton, and online with clients in Spain.
If you’re not sure where to start, a free chat is a good first step.
You don’t have to work it out on your own.