I used to believe that eating a healthy diet was primarily about controlling my weight—eating more salads and fewer sweets, that was all. However, after I began studying hormones, I came to understand that diet has a much more profound impact on our daily emotions. Hormonal balance affects everything from our energy levels to our mood, sleep patterns, and even the appearance of our skin.
In actuality, hormones are influenced by the nutrients we provide to our bodies. A healthy diet gives our body the building blocks it needs to produce and control hormones. However, that balance begins to erode when we eliminate whole food groups, rely too much on processed foods, or skip meals. We can sense it in our energy, focus, skin, and emotional fortitude when our hormones aren’t in balance.
The Power of Everyday Food Choices
I started observing the feelings I had after eating particular foods. Snacks that were processed gave me energy quickly, but they left me feeling groggy later. My energy level stabilized after I replaced them with actual, complete foods like fresh veggies, good fats, and adequate protein. Unbeknownst to me at the time, I was naturally assisting in the stabilization of my hormones.
Nuts, avocado, and olive oil are good sources of fat that help produce progesterone and estrogen. Magnesium and B vitamins, which are vital for stress and thyroid hormone regulation, are found in leafy greens and vibrant vegetables. Furthermore, a healthy diet maintains stable blood sugar, which in turn maintains the balance of insulin, one of our most potent hormones.
My post on 5 Signs Your Hormones Are Out of Balance may help you make some connections if you’re unsure if your hormones are already out of balance.
The Hidden Connection Between Food and Mood
The way that food influences mood in addition to hormones is among the most intriguing things I’ve discovered. Our bodies crave comfort foods when cortisol, our stress hormone, is elevated. However, those foods, which are typically high in sugar, cause insulin to spike and then crash again, which only makes stress worse. The cycle is vicious.
This is why eating meals that are balanced is so crucial. They support stable blood sugar, which lowers cortisol, promotes deeper sleep, and makes our skin clearer. (If you’ve noticed that your skin changes when you’re stressed, my post on The Connection Between Hormones and Skin explains why.)
Small Shifts, Big Results
Hormone health can be supported without a complex diet or a ton of supplements. Start small by choosing whole foods most of the time, staying hydrated, and making breakfast a true meal. You’ll probably feel more in control and less stressed over the coming weeks. You’ll sleep better, have more steady energy, and even have more even skin.
The silent cornerstone that holds up the rest of your health is your diet. Giving your body the things it needs to maintain balance is more important than striving for perfection. Your energy, confidence, and glow all start to come together when your hormones are in balance.
