13: Food Strategies for Balanced Hormones

Today more than ever, we’re seeing a lot of people dealing with chronic inflammation and fatigue because their hormones are out of whack. Hormones regulate a lot of what the body does on a regular basis, so when they’re out of balance, your body is out of balance. 

Single handedly, one of the biggest ways you can impact your life for the better is by focusing on healthy foods. In this episode, we’re not going to tell you a specific diet to follow because people respond differently to different foods. Instead, we’re going to focus on the fundamentals and give you the strategies to support hormone balance. 

SIGNS OF HORMONE IMBALANCE

• Digestive issues
• Weight management issues
• Insulin resistance
• Acne
• Chronic / adrenal fatigue
• Mood swings 
• Low libido
• Brain fog
• Hair loss and brittle nails
• Irregular cycles, heavy periods
• Hormone related chronic conditions – infertility, thyroid problems, PCOS, endometriosis

Food Strategies for Balanced Hormones 

1. No animal products with hormones 

Today, big food companies pump their animals full of antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection and produce more yield for profit. Those hormones and antibiotics don’t go away by cooking. In fact, when we consume conventional meat, poultry, pork, dairy, and eggs we are consuming those same antibiotics and hormones used on the animal, which impacts us. Always opt for hormone and antibiotic-free foods. 

2. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics 

Antibiotics are overused and over-prescribed these days. Because there is an intricate connection between the gut and hormones, consuming too many antibiotics too often messes with our good gut bacteria and flora, essentially wreaking havoc on our hormones. 

Even natural antibiotics like oregano oil should only be taken sparingly and when absolutely necessary– never as a preventative measure. 

3. Limit or eliminate soy-based products 

Soy contains estrogen-mimicking molecules, which create an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, thus throwing hormones off balance. Try to avoid soy-based foods primarily found in vegan foods like tempeh, tofu, and soy sauce. 

4. Eat organic whenever possible 

Conventional foods are sprayed with pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides to kill off bad bugs and other bacteria. The problem here is that they do way more than just kill the bad stuff. When consumed, they also kill the good stuff like healthy gut bacterias. Not to mention, they are also hormone disruptors and have also been linked to children who have learning disabilities and hormone dysregulation. If eating organic is not economically viable for you, check out The Environmental Working Groups (EWG) Dirty Dozen and Clean 15. 

5. Make sure you’re getting enough healthy fats 

Healthy mono- and poly-unsaturated fats are crucial for a high-functioning brain. When you take out the water, your brain is made of 70% fat, so it’s important to give your brain the right fats to be healthy. Opt for grass-fed butters, coconut oil, high-quality avocado oil, and nuts, and seeds. 

EWG Clean 15

EWG Dirty Dozen