Most of us know that what we put in our bodies impacts our health. Yet we need to remember that not all foods pack an equal punch when it comes to balancing our hormones and feeling our best.
Certain foods, often called superfoods (or functional foods), contain extra nutrients and minerals that our bodies need to thrive.
However, our modern, Western diets often lack enough of these superfoods, which can contribute to imbalanced hormones. So, what makes these nutrient-packed foods so special?
What are “superfoods?”
Superfoods, in short, are foods that benefit your health beyond your basic nutritional needs. Eating enough carbohydrates, protein, and fats at every meal keeps you moving and healthy, but is often not enough for optimal health. You still need antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are present in these superfoods—like salmon or kale, for example—which are naturally more nutrient-dense.
So, why are superfoods important for your hormones?
Your hormones help control different bodily functions like your metabolism, mood, and reproductive health, like your menstrual cycle and how much energy you have when you wake up.
When your hormones are out of balance, meaning there is too much or too little of one (or more) of your hormones, you can feel like your mood is all over the place and you may have painful cramps during your period. Superfoods can help regulate the hormone imbalances that cause these symptoms.
I want to make sure to mention, however, that along with what you eat, hormone imbalances can be the result of poor sleep, stress, and even your genetics. And remember, everyone experiences hormone-related symptoms differently; try not to compare what you’re feeling to anyone else!
How Superfoods Benefit Your Hormones
Now, I know there are plenty of different superfoods and we could spend all day discussing their benefits. So, for the sake of time and simplicity, I’m going to dive into the specific superfoods and nutrients we use at Neeshi to give you an idea of how they can benefit your menstrual cycles and perimenopause symptoms.
Magnesium helps calm your body's stress response and supports the production of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Foods high in magnesium include dark leafy greens, nuts (like almonds and cashews), seeds, and dark chocolate.
Essential for hormone production, zinc supports your immune system and can help manage conditions like PMS. Foods rich in zinc include shellfish, meat, legumes (like lentils), and seeds (like pumpkin seeds).
B vitamins, in particular vitamins B6 and B12, are crucial for supporting your metabolism, alleviating PMS symptoms, and supporting your overall hormonal health. You can find them in foods like fish, chicken, and fortified cereals.
Known for its antioxidant properties, vitamin E helps protect your cells and supports skin and immune health. It's found in nuts (like almonds), seeds, and dark, leafy greens.
What’s so important about superfood pairings?
Here’s the catch: it’s not always about adding one or two of these foods or minerals to your diet every so often. It’s about how they all work together to support your hormones on a regular basis, whether you’re premenopausal or in the middle of perimenopause.
For instance, taking vitamin B6 with magnesium can help improve how much magnesium your body absorbs and can help improve your mood and reduce PMS symptoms. Zinc also helps magnesium absorption, and magnesium helps control the levels of zinc in your body. Together, zinc and magnesium can reduce inflammation, which is absolutely critical for balancing hormones.
What might this look like in practice?
Let's say instead of sprinkling a handful of flaxseeds on your morning oatmeal every other day, consider combining them with almond butter, chopped cashews, and cacao powder. This way you're getting a broad spectrum of nutrients that can work together to better support nutrient absorption and your hormones.
But remember, it’s about creating a holistic approach to your wellbeing to support and nourish your body.
How Neeshi Pairs Superfoods for Optimal Hormone Health
After experimenting with different superfoods, I saw my daughter’s menstrual (and my perimenopausal) symptoms ease once I found the right ratio of superfoods to include.*
Imbalanced hormones should hold none of us back from truly living and enjoying life. That’s why I wanted to take the guesswork and questions out of balancing our hormones and help women take back their health and confidence.
All-natural superfoods, in the right ratios. That’s what Neeshi provides: ready-to-go (and tasty) treats that take into account all your hormonal needs.
Are you premenopausal? Find the right Neeshi products for you and gain initial hormone support.
Are you entering or in the midst of perimenopause? You may benefit from our Brownie Bites - not only are they delicious, but also can alleviate symptoms that comes with perimenopause.
*Individual results may vary.