Photo courtesy of: Seasonally Nourished
Hormone balance may not be something that you think about on a daily basis, but it’s definitely something that is worth our time! Hormonal balance is vital to a healthy, cancer-free mind and body. Hormone balance is deeply connected to the food we eat, the exercise we get, the toxins we absorb, the weight we carry, and the stress levels we put up with. Eating the right foods can make a massive difference in your mood. A high-nutrient diet can reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalance like mood swings, depression, weight gain and acne — and it can improve your energy levels and overall outlook on life. Below are some of the best foods to include as part of your regular diet to help balance your hormones:
BEE POLLEN
Bee pollen is used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a fix for increasing energy, reducing cravings, improving digestion and building the blood for iron stores. The reason these little pollen grains are getting so much attention lately is because they’re a complete food, providing protein and nutrients like B vitamins and folic acid, which are important for balancing hormones by way of balancing blood sugar, weight and mood.
SPIRULINA
This blue-green algae comes from lakes and ponds and contains large amounts of calcium, magnesium and potassium. These essential hormone-balancing nutrients will reduce cramps, mood problems, breast tenderness and overall inflammation. Also reported to reduce blood sugar problems, spirulina attacks hormonal imbalance at a major root cause.
COD LIVER OIL
In the mid-twentieth century, cod liver oil was taken daily many people in North America. These days Cod liver oil is much tastier and contains concentrated hormone-balancing nutrients Vitamins A and D and anti-inflammatory omega-3s. These key factors will fight inflammation, fluid balance (see ya, bloating!) and even mood problems. Get the fermented kind of cod liver oil for maximum potency.
KALE
This trendy vegetable is full of Vitamins A, K, B6 and C as well as minerals like manganese, copper and calcium. Combined with fiber and potent antioxidants, this leafy green is a force to be reckoned with. These factors will reduce mood swings, painful cramping, bloating and water retention.
Photo courtesy of: Life of Eden
VITEX
Also known as Chaste Tree Berry, Vitex is a fantastic medicinal herb specifically for women’s health that helps the body raise progesterone levels. Vitex has been shown to help a myriad of PMS symptoms including irritability, depressed mood, anger, headache, bloating, breast fullness, skin disorder, fatigue, drowsiness and sleeplessness. Vitex is most effective taken as a tincture, but is also useful when included in medicinal herbal teas.
MACA
Maca is a tuber native to South America. It’s an excellent superfood for hormonal imbalances like menopause and PMS. Maca is extremely high in calcium, potassium, iron, fiber and protein. Maca balances hormones byregulating the hormone-stimulating hypothalamus and pituitary glands in the brain. This can help with symptoms like hot flashes, low libido and PMS. Maca should not be consumed by women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), as it may have a subtle androgenic (testosterone-boosting) effect.
Maca is definitely one of our favorite ingredients on this list! Besides being great for hormone balance, maca is rich in fiber, essential minerals, protein, and vitamins B1, B2, C, and E. The best part? Maca powder is an amazing ingredient to add to smoothies to give your drinks a bit more cancer-fighting kick and an overall health boost. Check out the recipe below for one of our favorite drinks from our Quick and Clean Salads & Smoothies recipe book!
GOOD MORNING MACA SMOOTHIE
Ingredients:
- ½ cup almond, coconut, or hemp milk
- ½ cup fresh-squeezed orange juice
- 2 frozen bananas
- 1 tsp. maca powder
- 1 tsp. lucuma powder
- 1 tbsp. dried goji berries
- 1” piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
- 3-4 coconut ice cubes
Instructions: Add all smoothie ingredients into your blender and blend until smooth.
This smoothie is the perfect morning pick-me-up to get your day started out on the right foot. In addition to maca, this recipe includes two other powerhouse ingredients!
- Protein rich, nutrient-packed GOJI BERRIES contain 18 amino acids, and an abundance of carotenoids including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin. Zeaxanthin, a potent antioxidant, helps protect the retina from harmful UV rays.
- LUCUMA FRUIT, native to Peru, is slightly sweet and provides 14 essential trace minerals including potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
For more amazing recipes like this one, grab your own copy of Quick and Clean Salads & Smoothies here.
Sources:
Mind Body Green
Women in Balance
