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Foods to Avoid to Balance Your Hormones
August 31, 2009 by Jenn
Filed under Estrogen Dominance Diet
If you are suffering from estrogen dominance, one way you can help control the 
situation is by eating the right foods. By knowing what you should eat, and perhaps even more importantly what you should not eat, you will be taking an important step towards resolving this troublesome condition.
Balance your Hormones through Diet
Eating foods that help you balance your hormones should not be thought of so much as a diet for yourself, but rather as putting estrogen on a diet that restricts its over development. This is not a plan that limits calorie intake or is meant to reduce your weight, though that can be a happy side effect.
There are many foods you eat that naturally encourage estrogen to multiply and many more foods that contain xenoestrogens, or f aux-estrogen, that trick our bodies into believing they are the real thing. These are the foods you want to avoid.
Xenoestrogens – Chemicals that Mimic Estrogen in Food
One of the biggest contributors to estrogen dominance is xenoestrogens, which are man made chemicals that mimic estrogen. These chemicals are polluting our food and water supplies, flooding our bodies everyday with estrogen-like substances.
Pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and fungicides carry xenoestrogens into the soil. Then rain runoff from landfills and agricultural lands wash them into our water sources. In return fish, animals, and crops absorb the chemicals. When we eat those food products we ingest the xenoestrogens, causing hormonal havoc within our bodies.
How do we avoid xenoestrogens when they are so abundant? The best way is to avoid commercially prepared beef, chicken and pork, canned foods, commercial dairy products, and processed foods. Many meat producers give their livestock xenoestrogens to make them grow more quickly and help fatten them up, resulting in greater profits.
Food cans have plastic linings, another source of xenoestrogens, and processed foods often contain additives that are xenoestrogens. Even fruits and vegetables have been tainted with pesticides that have xenoestrogens.
Plastic is heavily laced with xenoestrogens as well. Cooking or storing foods in plastics should be avoided. Do not cover food you are microwaving with plastic wrap.
Dairy Products are a Rich Source of Estrogen
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, dairy milk is a leading source of estrogen. In fact, it may account for up to 80% of estrogens consumed. One reason is because most cows are dosed with growth hormones and are ripe with xenoestrogens. Another possible reason is that cows are often milked when they are pregnant, when estrogen levels are at their highest. A better option is to choose a non-dairy milk such as rice or almond milk.
Other Foods to Avoid to Balance Your Hormones
You should not drink alcohol if you are estrogen dominant. Estrogen must be metabolized in the liver and drinking alcohol can cause the liver to become overworked, allowing estrogen levels to build up in your body.
Other foods to avoid include sugar, processed, and fast foods. These foods have been linked to magnesium deficiencies, which in turn have been connected to high estrogen levels.
Chocolate, tea, coffee and other sources of caffeine and foods high in fats also contribute to estrogen dominance. Too much unfermented soy in your diet can lead to high levels as estrogen as well.
What Food Should You Eat to Help Balance Hormones?
Think organic. Choose foods that have been grown without the use of chemicals and select hormone-free meats. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables that are certified organic. A diet rich in fiber also plays a big part in maintaining a healthy hormonal balance. Eat plenty of whole grains and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, kale, collard greens, and turnips.
Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can make a major difference in balancing your hormones. Although it may cost a little more and require more careful shopping and food preparation, your efforts will be rewarded with a healthier life.
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