5 Best hormone balancing superfoods you should eat regularly
Updated: Jan 8
Good nutrition is a key factor in maintaining overall health and wellness, including hormonal balance. By incorporating hormone-balancing superfoods into your diet regularly, you can support your body's natural hormone regulation processes and achieve optimal health. In this post, we share our top picks for hormone-balancing foods and encourage you to make these nutrient-rich options a regular part of your diet.
PS - If you're a woman trying to balance your hormones naturally, this blog post is for you! This is a follow up to my blog posts, How to Balance Female Hormones Naturally Through Diet & Lifestyle, part 1 and part 2. Make sure you check those out, too!
1. Seeds
Seeds help your body to detox excess hormones properly. Read my blog post about balancing hormones through diet/lifestyle to learn about seed cycling. Many seeds also have high amount of tryptophan, which will help you sleep better. Sleep is the FOUNDATION for health and we need to be getting 7+ hours of quality sleep each night! Seeds that I recommend including in your diet regularly:
Sunflower Seeds
Sesame Seeds
Pumpkin Seeds
Flaxseeds
Chia Seeds
Hemp Seeds
Pomegranate Seeds
Though them in salads, soups, or smoothies to add flavor and texture to your favorite dishes!
2. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables have a compound called Indole-3-Carbinol that stimulates enzymes that support detoxification in the gut and liver (aka, the main way your body detoxes excess hormones). This is especially helpful for women struggling with estrogen dominance. Try to get at least one serving per day and for best results, lightly steam or lightly roast them to keep the nutrients in tact. Examples of cruciferous vegetables include:
Broccoli
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Brussels Sprouts
Bok Choy
Arugula
Kale
Collard Greens
3. Sweet potatoes
Resistant starches are helpful in balancing blood sugar, and blood sugar balance is ESSENTIAL for hormonal balance. I absolutely LOVE sweet potatoes- not only are they packed with vitamins, minerals, and resistant starch, but they are also versatile. Try them simply roasted, or try one of these fun recipes:
Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Miso-Tahini Sauce
Green Curry Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes
Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Lentils
4. Organic lentils & beans
Lentils and beans are also foods that are high in resistant starch. They are also high in protein + fiber, making them a great option to keep your blood sugar balanced and your digestion moving, hence supporting balanced hormones in the body. Try to get at least 1 serving per day of lentils or beans. Here's a few recipes I love:
5. Sea Vegetables
Sea vegetables are such an underrated nutrition tool for hormonal health! Sea vegetables such as seaweed, kelp, wakame, nori, and dulse are high in iodine and tyrosine, which support thyroid function. Sea vegetables are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Try ordering a seaweed salad or crunching on some dried seaweed for a snack! I also love to sprinkle dried dulse flakes on my Asian dishes to add flavor and nutrients.
If you're struggling to find a diet that promotes healthy hormone function and supports your weight goals, consider working with a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. I can help you create a personalized diet and lifestyle plan that aligns with your health objectives! Learn more about working with me here.
