by With our increasingly stressful lifestyles, little do we realize that in addition to a bad routine and stress, our eating habits also cause hormonal imbalances in our bodies. A healthy hormonal balance is important for maintaining healthy functioning of the body as they also function as chemical messengers in our body.
Major hormonal imbalances can give rise to issues like PCOS, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism, just to name a few. Our eating habits can have a negative impact on our body leading to a number of symptoms such as unwanted weight gain, skin problems or even mood swings. Certain foods can trigger imbalances and can worsen our hormonal condition.
Health Shots reached out to certified nutritionist Tanisha Bawa to figure out the ingredients that trigger hormonal imbalances in the summer.
Foods to avoid to maintain hormonal balance in summer
Typically during the summer, which is everyone’s favorite vacation time, we tend to lose sight of our food intake in the rhythm of indulging in our favorite/exotic foods. The least we can do, right now, is avoid undue harm by avoiding the foods listed below as per the expert.
1. Soy
“Soy has a predominant bioactive substance called phytoestrogens that function similarly to estrogen in our bodies. Due to this, your ovulation cycle can be hampered which can further wreak havoc on your reproductive health,” says the expert. Soy products which include tofu, soy milk and soy sauce are commonly referred to as However, they can make the hormonal imbalance in your body worse.
2. Dairy products
“Dairy products are known to cause hormonal imbalance. Milk and its products cause inflammation in the digestive tract and alter hormones. Excessive consumption of milk can raise triglyceride levels and can also be a contributing factor in the development of diabetes. So, it’s best to get all dairy products off your kitchen shelves if you’re battling hormonal issues,” the expert suggests.
3. Refined grains
According to Tanisha Bawa, it is recommended that you eradicate refined grains from your diet as they can cause blood glucose levels to rise, causing increased insulin production and ultimately insulin resistance.
4. Sugar or artificial sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners can wreak havoc with your hormonal balance as they impact the bacteria inside your gut and increase your appetite. Sugar can also cause hormone imbalance. You should avoid eating excessively sugary foods such as cookies, cakes, donuts, chocolates, etc. Instead, you can opt for healthier substitutes like jaggery.
Also Read: Struggling With A Hormonal Imbalance? Eliminate these 6 foods from your diet
5. Caffeine
High consumption of caffeine products such as coffee, alcohol and tea can disrupt the sleep cycle and can also cause hormonal imbalance. Summers call for iced coffees paired with ice cream. Increased caffeine consumption brings down cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol, a stress hormone, puts your body on high alert. Therefore, it’s best to avoid caffeine if your hormones are out of balance.
The bottom line
You still have a number of food categories to count on if you decide to steer clear of the ingredients mentioned above. You are the food you eat, so your health is in your hands if you choose to eat right to stay healthy.
