All women search for the fountain of youth in their diet. That perfect combination of foods that balance hormones, maintain a healthy reproductive system, and create great skin. Eating certain foods that are dense in nutrients will put women on their way to a healthy mood, digestive tract, high energy, healthy libido, fast metabolism, and glowing skin.
The body functions off of food, so it needs the right amount of nutrition to work at its peak performance. Young women who are looking for help controlling their hormones and therefore their moods and menstrual cycles can benefit from eating particular hormone-balancing foods. Middle aged and less active women may be looking for a burst of energy to get them going throughout the day. Pre-menopausal women will find these foods beneficial in dealing with hormone imbalance and the changes that their bodies are about to take. For older women, those who are going through menopause and those who have passed it, these hormone balancing foods are a great way to look younger longer as they aid cells in replenishing and wrinkles from forming.
Without the foods that contain the nutrients our bodies need, we cannot correctly produce hormones or maintain a balance of hormones because our bodies are not getting the foundation that they need. Having a balance of macronutrients helps women maintain proper health. Here are five essential foods for women’s health and five foods that are best to be avoided.
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Beneficial
1. Yogurt
Yogurt is ancient and has a vast array of health benefits. It has stood the test of time. Experts say that yogurt continues to prove itself to be a superfood for women’s health. This fermented dairy product contains probiotics that help to increase healthy bacteria in the gut, as well as calcium for strong bones. Vitamin D is also an important part of balancing hormones and aging gracefully.
2. Fatty Fish
Omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role in women’s cellular health. They can also protect women from future disease, including heart disease, hypertension, inflammatory disease, and depression.
3. Vegetables Rich in Antioxidants
Dark leafy greens are a great source of antioxidants. Kale, collard greens, spinach, and cilantro can all help women maintain a proper hormonal balance while also getting the nutrients they need.
4. Healing Spices
Herbs and spices should not be overlooked, as many of them are great for maintaining youthful, glowing skin. Cinnamon, ginger, and garlic all help women to stabilize their moods, balance their hormones, and stay looking young longer.
5. Avocado
Avocados are rich in healthy fat, which helps women’s bodies absorb and use key nutrients. Avocados are also rich in fiber, magnesium, potassium, vitamin E, folic acid, and B-vitamins, which are all essential for balancing hormones.
Avoid
1. Sugar
Sugar is known to exaggerate hormonal imbalance in women. Limiting sugar can also help to maintain a healthy weight and create younger looking skin.
2. Caffeine
For women going through menopause, caffeine can trigger hot flashes. For younger women, it can promote anxiety and nervousness. Cutting down on caffeine will help to balance the body without adding a jolt to your system.
3. Alcohol
Alcohol hurts the system by dehydrating the body and making the organs work overtime. To create a more stable mood and balanced life, avoid alcohol as much as possible.
4. High-Glycemic Foods
High glycemic foods negatively impact blood sugar, which can play a big role in hormone levels. Foods such as white bread, sugar, and fruit juice increase insulin levels alter the way estrogen is metabolized.
5. Soy
Soy contains phytoestrogens. These are able to mimic real estrogen, which can disrupt the balance of hormones in women. Phytoestrogens also negatively affect the thyroid by suppressing its function, while the thyroid is needed to be healthy to control women’s hormones. Heavy soy consumption has several negative health impacts such as weight gain, infertility, muscle loss, and mood swings.
Eating to benefit your health at any age is very important for women. Eat foods that work with your body to create a natural balance of hormones and nutrition so your body can be working at its most efficient capacity. Adolescent girls all the way to seniors should avoid foods that can disrupt their hormonal balance and cause their bodies stress.
