Earlier this year, Dr. Neal Barnard released yet another great read: Your Body in Balance: The New Science of Food, Hormones, and Health (*affiliate link). This easy-to-digest book connects the dots between lifestyle – largely what we eat – and all kinds of hormone-related topics.
Specific topics covered include fertility, cramps and PMS, hormone-related cancers, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, menopause, erectile dysfunction, diabetes, thyroid health, skin and nail health, and moodiness/stress. What a list, huh?? These are some serious issues. However, they’re not often discussed.
As Dr. Barnard puts it:
“Your hormonal system responds to changes in your diet, and a range of health problems are caused by hormones – and can be successfully treated using foods in a smarter way.”
Once again, healthful foods play a powerful role. ??? Some key eating strategies have demonstrated that they can really make a difference.
So what foods should be emphasized when it comes to hormone health?
- Vegetables – Choose a variety, including plenty of leafy greens and calciferous.
- Fruit – Keep a variety on-hand as a quick and easy snack.
- Legumes – Enjoy beans, peas and lentils multiple times a day.
- Grains – Whole grains, with the outer bran intact, are best.
One thing that ALL of these foods have in common is fiber. As discussed multiple times throughout the book, fiber helps to eliminate extra hormones. When it comes to balancing hormones, this is a BIG WIN!
So what does Dr. Barnard recommend steering clear of? Consistent with the rest of his books, he recommends avoiding dairy products, processed fats and oils (even from veggies!), animal products, fried foods and packaged products with added fat.
Your Body in Balance: The New Science of Food, Hormones, and Health (*affiliate link)
