Seed Cycling A Food Based Way For Hormonal Balance

Hormones are a delicate balance of chemicals. Slightly low or high levels can wreck havoc on your mood, weight, sleep, energy. Hippocrates, from where the Hippocratic oath in medicine comes from, was considered one of the most outstanding contributors to medicine. He is quoted as saying,”food is medicine” and nothing could be more true.
Using specific seeds at specific times of your cycle can be a gentle and effective way of managing unruly hormones that are causing PMS, menstrual irregularities as well help support a healthy fertility in those planning on conceiving.
It is quite simple. A women cycle can be broken down into two phases. The first half from the first day of menstrual flow, cycle day 1 (CD1) till ovulation which is usually around CD 14, is the estrogen dominate part of the cycle. By giving your body the nutritional matrix that are the building block of estrogen you can support a healthy hormonal balance.

The second half of our cycle is from ovulation to menstruation and is dominated by progesterone. To figure out when you are ovulating, take your average cycle length and minus 14 days.  So if you have a 28 day cycle that would mean on  CD 14 you would switch to the progesterone supporting seeds.  If your cycle was 30 days you would make that switch on CD 16.

Let’s say you have an unusually long cycle like 38 days.  Ideally we want women to cycle regularly somewhere between 20-32 day. You could switch to the progesterone seeds on CD 14 to gently support your body in making the switch from estrogen to progesterone.

HERE IS THE RECIPE
On CD 1 till your Ovulation

Have a daily intake of 1-2 tables spoons of both ground flax seed and pumpkin seeds 

 

 

 

From Ovulation to Menstruation

Have a daily intake of 1-2 tablespoons of both sunflower  and sesame seeds 

 

 

It’s as simple as adding foods to your diet that help provide the chemical components so your body can make enough hormones.  Add the seeds to salads, smoothes or you could make your own homemade granolas a Phase 1 and Phase 2!   You could make a sesame salad dressing along with sprinkling sesame seeds on your salads durning the second phase of your cycle.  Or look for a sesame or pumpkin seed crusted fish or chicken recipes.  The options are endless.

Adding seeds to your diet has other healthy side effects too.  Seeds are a great source of fiber so you get full faster.  Fiber helps lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels.  They are a healthy fat so your hair, skin and brain will benefit too.  And seeds are a well source of vitamins and minerals.

Food is your best medicine. It tastes good and you only have good side effects to boot.

Happy Eating and Happy Cycling!

 

 

 

 

 

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Photo by مهدی کردی on Unsplash