Poor lifestyle choices are rampant in today's times. And with that comes a host of health issues, including hormonal imbalance. We see many people, especially women, struggling with hormonal issues that may give rise to depression, weight gain, hair loss, acne, fatigue, autoimmune diseases, PCOS/PCOD and more such health problems. It's always a good idea to find out the root cause and tackle it. And there's no better way to revive hormones than with the help of your diet. Here are some expert diet suggestions that should help you balance your hormones naturally.
Here're Some Diet Tips For Hormonal Imbalance:
Dr. Rashmi Rai, Integrated Lifestyle Medicine Expert, suggests including the following foods in your diet.
1. Healthy Fats
Foods like coconut oil, homemade ghee or butter, egg yolks and nuts contain fats that are beneficial for the body, providing it with ample energy and other important nutrients, which promote hormonal production.
(Also Read: These 7 Food Items Are Packed With Healthy Fats)
Healthy fats are important to energise the body.
2. Seeds
Pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds are high in zinc and selenium that maintain the thyroid gland. This greatly helps in restoring hormone balance.
3. Rainbow Diet
Dr. Rashmi Rai vouches for having different colours in a meal throughout the day. Add different kinds of foods to get maximum nutrition. Here are some foods you can consider and group together.
Purple - Brinjal, Purple Cabbage, Black Current, Raisins
Blue - Blue Berries
Green - Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale
Yellow - Yellow Bell Pepper, Saffron, Avocado
Red - Apple, Plum, Water Melon, Cherry, Strawberry, Beetroot
White - Banana, Mushroom, Ginger, Cauliflower
4. Herbal Tea
A healthy liver propels hormone metabolism and body's detox system. Have herbal tea infusion like tulsi or dandelion root tea. These drinks are caffeine-free and also help one relax by calming down their nerves.
5. Probiotics
As most of the hormones are secreted in the gut, probiotic-rich foods like curd, buttermilk, kanji water and bone broth can help maintain a smooth digestive system.
(Also Read: Try These 10 Probiotic Foods To Improve Digestion And Immunity)
Probiotics keep the gut healthy.
Renowned Health Coach Luke Coutinho also offers some very useful diet suggestions that we can easily imbibe in our daily routine.
1. Increase Protein Intake
Fill up your plate with protein along with healthy carbs and fats to reach optimal nutrition level. Proteins break down into amino acids and signal hormones that regulate our appetite.
2. Avoid Sugar and Refined Carbs
Refined sugar and refined carbs should be replaced with healthy carbs. Have whole wheat, oats and other such healthy carbs instead of maida. Sweeten your meals with healthier alternatives like fruits, dates and honey instead of sugar.
3. Don't Overeat or Undereat
Aim to have just the right amount of food that satiates your hunger and doesn't weigh down your stomach.
Follow a healthy diet to combat hormonal imbalance. However, always consult your doctor before making drastic diet changes.