Did you know that food can throw off hormones? Get the body back in sync by learning what to eat – and what to avoid – for natural hormone balancing.
What Happens When Hormones are Out of Sync
Hormones help direct the essential patterns that support a healthy life. Supporting the circadian rhythm to trigger sleep and wakefulness at appropriate times – regulating weight management to burn calories and feel hungry or full – supporting mood and the ability to focus… these chemical messengers are a big deal!
The body is designed to produce each essential hormone in just the right amount to keep all systems in sync. Too much sleep, stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and/or poor eating habits can be enough to cause the body to produce more or less of each hormone, creating an imbalance that makes it more difficult to function.
When hormones are out of sync, it may feel like something is just off. Physical, emotional and mental wellbeing can take a hit. Insomnia, depression, fatigue, hair loss, unexplained weight gain and irritability are all common signs that hormones are not properly balanced.
How to Balance Hormones Naturally
While supplements are one option, there are also lifestyle changes that can help balance hormones naturally. A focus on diet, exercise, gut health, sleep and self-care is the best approach to achieve natural hormone balancing because it tackles the problem from every angle.
7 Foods that Help Balance Hormones Naturally
Food is a great place to start when it comes to natural hormone balancing. Include these foods as part of a well-rounded diet to get things going naturally.
- Leafy Greens – Kale, spinach and collard greens contain CoQ10 as well as vitamins A, C and E – great for hormone regulation.
- Cruciferous Vegetables – Cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli boost the immune system and contain phytonutrients, vitamins and antioxidants to help eliminate excess estrogen.
- Green Tea – Contains antioxidants and quercetin, providing a detox effect that can improve hormone balance.
- Avocados – Good source of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce oxidative stress from toxins.
- Fatty Fish – Salmon delivers the omega-3 fatty acids needed for healthy hormone production.
- Root Vegetables – Sweet potatoes and squash are both rich in vitamin A and beta-carotene, great for hormone health.
- Prebiotics/Probiotics – Kimchi, sauerkraut, green bananas and peas are some of the foods that power the microbiome. Gut health is important for optimal nutrient absorption and key in hormone balancing.
Hormone Disruptors
Some menu items have the power to throw off hormone levels, too. If you’re trying to balance hormones naturally, it’s best to avoid these.
- Alcohol – Interferes with glands and can disrupt liver and thyroid functioning.
- Caffeine – Messes with natural circadian rhythms and disrupts the sleep/wake cycle.
- Fried Foods – Vegetable oil exposed to high heat (used for frying) can damage molecular health and hormones.
- Processed Meats – Preservatives and salt can trigger inflammation in adrenal glands.
- Sugar – Promotes insulin resistance, disrupting blood sugar and contributing to weight gain.
- Artificial Sweetener – Linked with weight gain and diabetes because it can trigger excess insulin.
In addition to diet, pay attention to exercise, sleep, self-care and stress levels to rebalance your hormones naturally.
