The
Surprising Foods That Can Balance Your Hormones
I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that women and men are very different creatures. Men have an easier time gaining muscle, while women have to put in an extra effort to pack on the pounds of muscle we want to achieve our fitness goals! It also seems like men can eat whatever they want without gaining weight, and we get fat just from breathing in the same room as them! However, this doesn’t mean that women are doomed to be miserable because of their hormones—especially when certain foods can balance your hormones naturally!
Processed
Grains
It's not a big surprise that carbs like bread and pasta have an effect on hormones—they are, after all, carbohydrates. The trick is to try to get those carbs from whole grains instead of processed ones. As with anything that comes in a box or bag, go for whole-grain versions. There's also some evidence that whole grains may be more effective at regulating blood sugar than their refined counterparts (although others point out their complexity makes them difficult to study). Just remember to focus on quality over quantity; it's always better to get as many nutrients as possible from food rather than pills. To see what I mean, check out these 50 ways to lose weight naturally. If you're serious about improving your health through diet, then download my free Eat This Not That report today!
Artificial
Sweeteners
If you’re craving sweet, your body is trying to tell you something—it might just be that your hormones are off-balance. Some research shows that artificial sweeteners can alter female hormone levels, leading to symptoms like weight gain and disrupted sleep patterns. If you’re having trouble managing your cravings, check out a book called Eat for Your Hormones by integrative health expert Sara Gottfried MD. Her plan was featured in Health magazine and The Doctors; it gives dietary tips for balancing key hormones like progesterone, estrogen, testosterone, and thyroid. She also wrote an entire book on hormone imbalance: The Hormone Reset Diet. Check it out!
Dairy
Products
If you’re trying to lose weight, then you might want to think twice before consuming a lot of dairy products. According to an extensive study on women, those who ate dairy products had hormone levels that were higher than those who didn’t. This can lead to an increase in weight gain and loss of fat-burning potential when combined with other foods. Stick with small amounts of cheese or milk and opt for non-dairy alternatives like almond milk instead. In addition, eating too much dairy is linked to insulin resistance and inflammation which can inhibit weight loss potential and contribute to future health problems. To lose weight safely but quickly, it’s best to avoid these common foods.
Soy
Products
Because soy products are a phytoestrogen, they can help
balance female hormones. The trouble with soy, however, is that it contains
goitrogens—substances that block thyroid function and metabolism. But if you
choose fermented forms of soy—miso, tempeh, natto (fermented soybeans)—you
won’t run into these issues. These forms contain beneficial bacteria that break
down phytoestrogens to make them less problematic for thyroid health and
overall hormone balance. A diet rich in soy may also reduce your risk of breast
cancer. Studies have shown that women who consume more than 30 grams of soy
protein per day have a 40 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer
compared to women who eat little or no soy foods. It’s best to stick with
organic soy when possible since non-organic varieties are often genetically
modified. It’s also important to note that some people experience side effects
from eating too much soy; these include headaches, fatigue, anxiety, and even
depression. If you find yourself feeling lethargic after consuming large
amounts of soy products, cut back on how much you eat until your symptoms
subside.
Processed
Meat
A new study from Denmark has revealed that eating more than five servings of processed meat a week may lead to an early death, according to CBS. The study was conducted by researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark and involved tracking food and health data from more than 100,000 men and women for 12 years. The results revealed that participants who ate processed meat—which includes bacon, hot dogs, sausages, salami, and deli meats—died earlier than those who did not eat as much. Those who consumed one serving per day were 44 percent more likely to die during the study than those who didn’t consume any. Those who ate two servings were 53 percent more likely to die, while three or four daily servings increased their risk of dying by 81 percent. Those consuming five or more servings were twice as likely to die during the study period than those who abstained from processed meat altogether. This doesn’t mean you should avoid all processed foods, however. The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) says people can safely enjoy up to 18 ounces of red meat every week. In fact, there is evidence that some types of red meat can be part of a healthy diet, including cooking methods like grilling which have been shown to reduce certain cancer risks associated with consumption, they add.