Estrogen for dinner? It may sound like an odd approach to meal planning, but not when you consider that many of the foods you already eat encourage the natural production of estrogen within your body. This is especially important for women going through the menopausal life transition, which can be marked by taxing physical symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and loss of libido. What foods can you eat to beat menopause? Keep reading to find out.
Why You Shouldn't Ignore Low Estrogen
While diminished estrogen levels occur naturally as women age, they can cause a host of health problems. In addition to triggering the symptoms of menopause, low estrogen levels can increase the risk of depression, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis. Start feeling great by serving these delicious estrogen-boosting foods for dinner:
1. Stir Fry
Long grain brown rice is an estrogen-boosting food that introduces fiber into your diet. Make sure you add plenty of vegetables to boost your intake of essential vitamins and minerals, which can also help restore hormone balance. Consider swapping beef or chicken for tofu. Tofu has phytoestrogenic properties that encourage balanced estrogen levels. Lastly, go easy on the sodium-heavy soy sauce.
2. Soy Burgers
Recently, supermarket shelves have been invaded by soy products — from milks and cheeses to burgers and breads. That's because research has shown that soy has antioxidant and disease-fighting properties. The bean is also high in protein and contains phytoestrogens, plant-based compounds that mimic the effects of estrogen in the female body. Swapping ground beef for soy is a great option for menopausal women because, in addition to busting menopausal symptoms, soy burgers are low in fat.
3. Thanksgiving's Greatest Hits
Turkey, green beans, and yams don't have to be a special Thanksgiving treat. White meats like turkey and chicken are great alternatives to red meats, because they are high in protein content and low in carbohydrates. The wild yam has traditionally been used to boost estrogen levels in women, and is also thought to increase fertility. Green beans or asparagus provide the perfect vegetable compliment to your meal.
Recommendation
While eating a well-balanced diet may provide relief from your menopausal symptoms, you may also need to supplement your diet with exercise, herbal remedies, or pharmaceutical options to get the relief you need. Click on the previous links to read more about estrogen imbalance.
