One of the most common hormonal imbalances among women is excess estrogen. Driven by high levels of cortisol (read: stress), over-consumption of alcohol, xenoestrogens (chemicals like BPA & phthalates which mimic estrogen in the body) and carrying excess weight - symptoms of estrogen dominance can include heavy bleeding, breast tenderness, moodiness + frequent meltdowns, depression, anxiety or weepiness, mid-cycle pain, menstrual migraines, brain fog, endometriosis and fibroids, PMDD or PMS.
Intentionally eating foods that support the four different hormone phases of your menstrual cycle (along with exercise + lifestyle shifts) can help break this cycle and rebalance your hormones. For example, focusing on gut health and high-fiber vegetables during your inner Spring & Summer aids your body in metabolizing and eliminating estrogen surplus (excess in luteal phase = PMS symptoms).
In a separate blog, I covered eating in your inner Spring (go back & read it!) and today let’s talk about SUMMER // OVULATORY PHASE. Your inner Summer is energetically the hottest phase of your hormone cycle. As such, the foods that best support this phase are raw and “cooling”.
🍳 Cooking method: steam or sauté, or raw
🥬 Veggies: raw + non-starchy, high in fiber - ex. spinach, arugula, bok choy, chard, peppers, asparagus & Brussels
🍓 Fruits: berries
🌽 Grains + legumes: red lentil, amaranth, quinoa, corn
🍤 Protein: lamb, salmon, shrimp, tune
➕ This is the best time to enjoy raw juices, smoothies, coffee & alcohol (not so with inner Fall + Winter).
Speaking of smoothies:
Be sure you CHEW them (I know that sounds weird, but digestion starts in the mouth!)
Check out @bewellbykelly for her Fab4 Smoothies. Most smoothies will spike your blood sugar, increasing insulin + cortisol, perpetuating estrogen dominance.
Try cycling your smoothies, enjoying only during their inner Spring or Summer and/or as the weather warms (tip: don’t drink without sunshine).
Experimenting with cooking methods - especially keeping raw foods (smoothies + salads included) in your inner Spring and Summer can start to make a huge difference! Do you plan to try this? Tell me in the blog comments!