Taking hormones as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can affect your nutritional needs. As your hormone levels change, it's important to eat a balanced diet to stay healthy. Here are some tips:
- Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. Choose plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, nuts and seeds. These provide vitamins, minerals, fiber and healthy fats to support your changing body.
- Eat adequate calories. Don't restrict your calorie intake too much, as this can interfere with hormone balance. Aim to eat enough to fuel your activities and maintain a stable weight.
- Consume healthy fats. Good sources include oily fish, avocados, olive oil, nuts and seeds. Healthy fats support hormone production and are vital for overall health.
- Eat phytoestrogen-rich foods in moderation. Foods like soy, flaxseed, chickpeas and oats contain plant compounds that mimic estrogen. Enjoy them sparingly to avoid overloading your system.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and herbal tea. Dehydration can throw hormones off balance.
- Limit sugar and refined carbs. Avoid sugary foods, sodas, white bread, etc. These spike blood sugar and may interfere with hormone therapy.
- Moderate alcohol intake. Heavy or frequent drinking can impact hormones. Limit to 1 drink per day or less. Consider abstaining completely at the start of treatment.
- Get enough vitamin D. Low vitamin D is associated with hormone imbalance. Take a supplement or get 15 minutes of midday sun daily.
- Take a multivitamin. This safeguards against low intake of nutrients needed to metabolize hormones, like B vitamins, zinc and magnesium.
- Minimize exposure to hormone disruptors. These include chemicals in plastics, cleaning products, etc. They may interfere with HRT. Focus on organic produce and natural personal care products.
Recap of important points:
- Eat a nutritious, balanced diet with adequate calories
- Focus on healthy fats from avocados, nuts, seeds, oily fish
- Consume phytoestrogens in moderation
- Stay hydrated and limit alcohol
- Get vitamin D from sun or supplements
- Take a quality multivitamin
- Reduce exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals
The experts at
Optimal Hormone Health Center can help determine if HRT is right for you and provide guidance on nutritional needs during treatment. Their science-backed protocols use bioidentical hormones customized to your unique biochemistry. This personalized approach optimizes safety, comfort and results.
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