5 Superfoods for Healthy Balanced Hormones

08 March 2016

In honour of international women’s day, I wanted to share something pertinent to women’s health. Ladies, I’m sure we can all agree that hormones can be tricky! I know what it feels like to experience unexplained mood swings, lethargy and fatigue that results from hormonal imbalances. As women, it is especially important for us to look after ourselves through nutrition that supports healthy balanced hormones. Eating the right foods can really make a massive difference to your mood. I know first-hand that a mindful, high nutrient diet can effectively reduce symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as mood swings, depression, weight gain and acne — and it can improve your energy levels and overall outlook on life too! So it’s not always just about weight, or how you look, it’s about how you feel too! And of course when we feel good…things start to look good too! Let wholesome, nourishing, healing foods be your daily picks. I’m not saying don’t treat yourself, but be smart about what you feed your body too! Eat to live… with zest and vitality!

 Below are some of my favourite foods to include as part of your daily diet to help balance your hormones.

1. 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.

2. Bee Pollen

Bee pollen is used in traditional Chinese medicine 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. Be sure to get your pollen from a trusted source.

3. Cod liver oil

In the mid-twentieth century, it was thing to take cod liver oil was taken daily. I remember my mom saying how much she hated it as a child. The great thing is that cod liver oil is just as nutritious, but much tastier these days. Cod liver oil contains concentrated hormone-balancing nutrients Vitamins A and D and anti-inflammatory omega-3s. These key factors will fight inflammation, fluid balance (so no more bloating!) and even mood problems.

4. Maca

Maca is a tuber native to South America. It's an excellent superfood for hormonal imbalances common in menopause and PMS. Maca is extremely high in calcium, potassium, iron, fibre and protein. Maca balances hormones by regulating 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 – so please be wary of this.

5. Kale

This trendy vegetable is full of Vitamins A, K, B6 and C as well as minerals like manganese, copper and calcium. Combined with fibre and potent antioxidants, this leafy green is a force to be reckoned with. The powerful properties of kale can reduce mood swings, painful cramping, bloating and water retention. Kale can be enjoyed in salads, soups, smoothies and can even be oven bakes to form delicious, crunchy chips.

So, whether you have a chronic hormonal imbalance, or are just sick and tired of bothersome cramps, hot flashes, weight gain and mood swings, I highly recommend giving these superfoods a try!

Happy International Women’s Day to all the beautiful ladies out there! Remember that you are enough as you are, and are capable of absolutely anything you set your mind to!

Yours in Health and Female Power,

Cara-Lisa

@caralishious

Xoxo