Having long-term control over your health and particularly, your hormones, starts with having a nutrient-rich diet. Just by making a few strategic food choices, you can maximize every bite you take throughout the day, to ensure that it’s working for you, rather than against you. So in this article we’re going to look at the top 5 hormone-balancing foods to eat every day (or at least every other day!).

Now, just so we’re clear, these are not the only foods that support hormone health.

But, these pack a serious nutritional punch and therefore, they should be a top priority if want to start feeling better faster.

So, let’s dive in right in!

WHAT FOODS HELP BALANCE HORMONES?

1. Cruciferous Vegetables

From unfiltered water and pesticides to plastics and birth control…we are constantly exposed to synthetic estrogen.

All of this contributes to excess estrogen/estrogen dominance and increased toxicity.

And one of the best ways to counteract excess estrogen is to eat more cruciferous veggies.

These veggies contain glucosinolates, which are sulfur-based compounds that support the liver and make it easier to get rid of excess estrogen and other toxins.

In addition, crucifers contain a lot of fiber, which helps a lot in populating the gut (another hormone production center) with healthy bacteria.

Choose from these cruciferous veggies:

Do keep in mind that if you have thyroid issues, it’s generally recommended that you eat cruciferous veggies in cooked form: steamed, sauteed, roasted or boiled.

This is because these veggies contain goitrogens, which can interfere with the thyroid’s ability to absorb iodine. 

Cooking reduces the amount of goitrogens that your body absorbs.

But just make sure to not overcook them because that can also kill essential nutrients. 

A good way to test whether you’ve overcooked them or not is through the crunch. If they have some crunch you’re good. If they’re soft and lifeless, then they’re likely overdone.

2. Anti-inflammatory Proteins

No matter what type of hormonal imbalance you’re struggling with, inflammation is one of the underlying causes.

And one of the major contributors of inflammation is animal proteins like red meat.

Not only are meats harder to digest than plants, but many animals are given antibiotics, growth hormones and genetically modified soy. All of these can ruin your gut and keep you in a vicious cycle of struggle.

As for foods like fish, they’re usually healthier than meat…unless they’re farm-raised. In which case, they can contribute to inflammation due to the presence of toxins.

So, focusing on anti-inflammatory proteins – mainly plant proteins, fatty fish and eggs – gives your body a chance to rest and recover.

Here are some healthy proteins that are ideal for supporting hormone balance:

Now, before we wrap up this section, let’s have a quick look at soy.

Soy is a good source of plant protein. However, there’s concern that its phytoestrogen content can contribute to estrogen imbalance.

So, here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re going to consume soy:

• Consume mainly fermented soy. Fermented soy is what most Asian cultures consume and that seems to contribute to its health benefits. Fermented soy products to choose from are tamari sauce, tempeh and natto.

• Buy organic soy. Most of the soy in the U.S. is GMO soy. GMO soy plants are very resistant to pesticides. This means they can be sprayed with way more pesticides, which means we get more pesticide residue when we eat them. Unfortunately, pesticides are estrogen-based compounds, so they contribute to hormone imbalance. Therefore if you’re going to eat soy, go for organic soy.

3. Healthy Fats

Fats are the raw material for:

• estrogens
• corticosteroids (hormones produced by the adrenal glands)
• progestagens (such as progesterone)
• androgens (male hormones like testosterone and DHEA)

Without enough healthy, natural fat in your diet, your body is basically starved of the raw material that it needs to make all of those hormones.

So, it’s important to eat healthy fats on the regular. 

Here are some to choose from:

4. Antioxidant-Rich Fruits

Antioxidants help the body fight off the damaging effects of inflammation.

And fruits are one of the best (though not the only) sources of antioxidants.

Now, technically speaking all fruits contain antioxidants.

So, you really can’t go wrong with any fruit as long as it’s whole and unprocessed fruit.

And each fruit has different antioxidants. 

Therefore, you want to eat a variety of fruits to ensure that you’re getting the benefits of everything that’s available in nature.

Here are some antioxidant-rich fruits to choose from:

5. Green Vegetables

Green veggies have one huge benefit: they contain chlorophyll, which is the compound that gives them their green color.

And that chlorophyll is great for hormone balance because it supports detoxification.

Whether we’re talking external toxins or excess hormones, the more detoxification that your body needs to do, the more support it needs.

In addition, many green veggies contain vitamins and minerals that the body uses to fight off inflammation.

Now, you will notice that some green veggies are also cruciferous veggies.

So, you basically get a 2-for-1 if you eat vegetables that fit into both categories!

Here are some green vegetables to include in your hormone balance diet:

WHAT NOT TO EAT WHEN BALANCING HORMONES

Pro-inflammatory foods can have a negative impact on the gut, liver, digestive system and other parts of the body that play a role in hormone balance. Therefore it’s best to avoid them.

Pro-inflammatory foods include:

• Alcohol (including wine).
• All processed foods.
• Coffee (although coffee isn’t inherently bad, it can overstimulate the adrenals for some people).
• Pasteurized juices.
• Refined carbs (such as white bread and most desserts or pastries).
• Sweetened drinks.
• Red meat and processed meats
• Hydrogenated fats (such as margarine).
• Unfermented dairy.
• Fried foods.
• Plant milks that have added sugar, artificial flavors and thickeners.
• Gluten-containing foods (especially wheat-based).
• Refined sugar.

CONCLUSION

Balancing your hormones through diet is about consistency and commitment.

By incorporating the food categories listed above into your daily routine, you’ll be building healthy habits that will pay off in the short-term and long-term.

To get started, use this hormone balance diet guide.

And for more helpful tips and ideas, be sure to check out these additional resources:

Hey! Curious about supplements for women’s hormones? Here are my favorites (in-depth review of these supplements can be found here):

• Green Juice: this is a multipurpose powder that can help with weight loss, stress and cortisol balance, fatigue, detoxing and more. It contains amazing ingredients like matcha, turmeric, ashwagandha, beets and much more.
• Moon Balance: this powder combines some of the best herbs for menstrual support, such as hibiscus, maca and shatavari. If your cycle is off balance and you struggle with things like PMS, period pain and other menstrual imbalances, this is one to check out.
• Maca Root Powder: maca has traditionally been used in Peru for hormone support (in men and women). Research and anecdotal reports indicate that this root vegetable helps with libido, anxiety, hot flashes, menstrual health and more.
• Women’s Balance: this supplement combines “classic” female herbs (like red clover and vitex) with detox-friendly herbs and herbs to calm the nervous system (which takes a beating when we’re stressed).

Related Articles:

Low Carb Diets and Hormones: What You Probably Don’t Know

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5 Tips To Balance Hormones and Start Feeling Better (in as little as a week!

Hormone Balancing Diet Plan: Anti-inflammatory Foods, Vitamins and Tips for Women (with Printable PDF)

Exercise for Hormone Balance: A Complete Guide

Hormone Balancing Foods for PCOS: A Complete Guide (with PDF)

3-Ingredient Hormone Balancing Tea Recipe For Women

Juicing For Hormone Imbalance: A Complete Guide for Beginners

The Beginner’s Guide to Natural Hormone Balance: 8 Essential Tips

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