How Certain Foods Play A Part In Hormone Balance For Women

Humans are like plants. We need sunlight, fuel, oxygen, and a little bit of love and attention to survive.

The roots of a plant absorb the water and nutrients from the soil to stay green and healthy.

It’s the same concept for people and food (you’re smart, you know that you need food to survive). But getting the right nutrients is more than survival. It’s about flourishing. Grow and blossom!

Foods are very complex and provide different benefits for different parts of the body — including when it comes to hormone balance.

Cruciferous Vegetables

✓ Broccoli ✓ Cauliflower ✓ Brussels sprouts ✓ Kale ✓ Cabbage ✓ Bok choy…

All are cruciferous vegetables! But what do they have to do with hormones?

According to Health Shots, “Cruciferous vegetables contain a compound called 3,3-Diindolylmethane, which has been shown to reduce high estrogen levels and support estrogen detox in the liver.”

Basically, cruciferous vegetables act as a natural detox for the liver that keeps estrogen at healthy levels. Like cleaning your sink so it doesn’t get all grimy.

Maintaining proper estrogen levels is important in weight management, menstruation, and keeping certain cancers away.

Protein

The big P word that everyone is buzzing about right now lives up to its hype.

According to MBG Health, “Eating protein provides your body with amino acids that are used to produce specific hormones, like estrogen, insulin, and thyroid hormones.”

It would be hard to produce certain amino acids without protein in the same way that it’d be pretty hard to make coffee without a coffee maker.

Hormones produced through protein assist the body by…

✓ Boosting communication receptors

✓ Maintaining blood sugar balance

✓ Encouraging ovulation

✓ Producing breast milk

✓ Proper thyroid function

✓ Balancing blood sugar

✓ Keeping the body satiated

✓ Stabilizing mood

All very good reasons to make sure you are getting enough naturally sourced protein!

Good-For-You Fats

Fats are the other big building blocks of hormones.

According to Funky Fat Foods, “Hormones are formed from fat and cholesterol. They also help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins like D, A, E, and K. So if you have any deficiencies in these nutrients it can cause hormonal imbalances.”

It’s clear that the proper kind of fats are important.

Unsaturated fats including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated as well as certain saturated fats are the kids to look for. It’s best to steer clear of trans fats.

Keep an eye out for the really good high-fat foods like…

✓ Avocados

✓ Eggs

✓ Nuts and Seeds

✓ Dark Chocolate

✓ Cheese

✓ Fatty Fish

✓ Olive Oil

✓ Yogurt

All of these are great options to include in your diet.

High Fiber Carbs

Fruits, veggies, whole grains… even the occasional starch can help regulate hormones.

All of these have a high fiber content which is a natural regulator and provides support to some pretty key hormones in the body.

According to REVIVO, “Fiber binds to excess hormones in the body and works to remove them through the colon. If you’re not consuming enough fiber, then instead of being eliminated, excess hormones can be reabsorbed back into your body leading to imbalanced levels. Fiber has also been shown to play a critical role in stabilizing blood sugar and insulin levels.”

You might be questioning the whole carb situation when it comes to your diet. Remember — certain kinds of carbohydrates provide fuel that keeps your body running. And natural forms of carbohydrates contain all of that good fiber.

So don’t cut out all carbs entirely!

Balance

If it has been said once it will be said again! Balance is crucial. Don’t load up on one kind of food. Eat a variety of colorful fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, meats, fish, dairy, and whole grains.

Be kind to your body and give it lots of options for optimal hormonal balance!