Hey fam! As many of you know, after a 2 year gut healing protocol to recover from Lyme disease, my hormones were out of whack from my diet. I worked with a coach to balance my macronutrients, and it helped, but when I met Cassandra, a Naturopathic Doctor and brilliant entrepreneur, at the Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreat in Scottsdale last year, I was excited to work with her to further heal and bring balance to my body. She devised the parasite cleanse I followed (you can read my in-depth account on the YBC® app), and today she’s offering tips to balance your hormones with your diet. If you have any questions for her, drop them in the comments! xo - Candace
While we’ve likely all heard of hormones and know that they are important for the overall function of our bodies, we rarely hear about hormones in the context of how we can support them and heal.
In my practice as a Naturopathic Doctor, I’ve seen it all. Both low-grade and massive hormonal imbalances in my clients are so common, and so I’m passionate about teaching people how they can live with their hormones in mind. By educating my clients on the ways they can improve their hormone health and gently guide them back into balance, many of them find themselves feeling more energetic, able to lose weight with much more ease and experience less painful menstrual cycles.
Symptoms of a Hormonal Imbalance
So what does a hormonal imbalance look like? Here’s a few common things that could indicate your hormones need some support:
-Acne before or during menstruation
-Heavy, irregular or painful periods
-Severe PMS or mood swings
-Difficulty losing weight
-Vaginal dryness
-Difficulty conceiving
-Bloating
-Brain Fog
-Low Energy
-Cysts or Fibroids
-Amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle)
-Breast tenderness
So yes, the symptoms of a hormonal imbalance can express themselves in many different ways. If you’ve experienced any of these symptoms, this information will be helpful for you! And if you don’t, see these tools as a preventative measure.
Eating for your Hormones
One of the simplest ways we can address any imbalance in the body is through our food. As Hippocrates once said, “let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” Below I've shared my top four food recommendations to support your hormone health.
1) Nourish your body with healthy fats
Fat is necessary for the body to produce hormones, so can we please all throw away the books that tout that low fat is the way to longevity? What’s key to note with fats in your diet is that we want to nourish your body with healthy fats specifically. These fats will support your body in producing hormones and balancing your hormone levels throughout the month.
Here’s a great go-to list for healthy fats in your diet:
Avocados
And other sources like tahini, high quality nut butters and coconut milk
I recommend always using organic, cold pressed oils when possible.
Depending on your preference and needs, you could aim to eat up to 4 Tbsp of these fats per day. So the next time you’re making a salad, add extra avocado or some olive oil. When you’re sauteing some veggies, do so with some coconut oil or ghee.
Here’s a quick reminders of the kinds of oils that DO NOT support hormone health and in my opinion should be thrown out: canola oil, vegetable oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, margarine and any fake butter substitutes.
2) Eat more fiber
Consuming fiber is different than consuming extra carbohydrates. Fibrous foods support our hormone health by decreasing excess estrogen levels, specifically estradiol. Fibrous foods also help us maintain regular bowel movements - which is a must for healthy hormone levels!
Some great fibrous foods you can consume more regularly include sweet potato, parsnip, brussel sprouts, pumpkin, legumes, broccoli and artichokes.
3) Consume a raw carrot a day
A raw carrot a day keeps the doctor away? Raw carrots contain a unique fiber that helps the body to release excess estrogen in the body. With so many instances of estrogen dominance in both men and women, utilizing tools like this that help to bring estrogen back into balance is crucial. Consume your raw carrot daily (it can’t be cooked) to nourish your body!
4) Ensure you’re eating enough protein
Another key aspect to balancing the hormones is ensuring that you are eating enough protein each day. Protein is needed to produce both hormones and enzymes, so hitting your needs for this macronutrient is very important.
Here’s a great list of go-to protein sources:
Grass fed organic meats
Wild caught fish
Beans and legumes
Eggs
Fermented soy like tempeh
Especially if you are vegan or vegetarian, ensure you’re eating enough high protein foods throughout the day.
By making these simple shifts, you’ll be supporting your hormone health and making an empowering step for your wellness overall. To consciously choose to take care of ourselves is such a beautiful thing, and the more we opt for high quality foods, the more our bodies will naturally crave them.
Need some support with your hormone health? You can book an online Naturopathic Consultation with me at GoddessCeremony.com/naturopathy.
With gratitude,
Cassandra
The connections made at these Namaslay® Business and Marketing Retreats truly amaze me, and I’m so grateful for meeting Cassandra. Next month I’m heading to Austin for another weekend of workshops and brainstorming with powerhouse entrepreneurs ready to grow their businesses, and I’d love to meet you there! Click here to secure your spot!