The start of a new year is always when we start to think about our diets. We’ve overindulged over Christmas and are ready to cut back and get on the healthy train, at least for a couple of weeks. There’s another reason to potentially have a look at your diet now, though, particularly when it comes to hormone imbalance. That’s because the foods you eat cannot only affect your weight and appearance, but they can also impact your hormone levels (positively and negatively). If you’re concerned about how foods can cause an imbalance in your hormone levels, here are a few foods to be wary of.  

Processed food

Processed foods tend to be high-glycemic foods because we can digest them more easily. They also tend to be higher in sugar content. These are foods like white bread, fruit juices, cookies etc. Eating too many of these foods can increase our insulin levels, which helps us process foods and get blood sugar into the body’s cells to be used for energy. But insulin can also change the oestrogen is metabolised and potentially cause an imbalance in excess. Too many high-glycemic foods can also lead to increased inflammation and cortisol levels in our systems (a stress hormone).  

Red meat

You might enjoy a good steak, and because they’re typically high in protein, they can be a staple of a high protein “healthy” diet. But red meat is also rich in hydrogenated and saturated fats. Too much red meat can lead to your body producing more oestrogen, which will cause an imbalance. This can occur in men and women, so it’s best to eat red meat in moderation. White, lean meats can be a good alternative.  

Dairy products

We all love a drop of milk in our tea, and there are plenty of reasons that milk and some other dairy products can be good for you. But dairy products, particularly milk, have high levels of oestrogen that can affect the natural levels in your body.  

Caffeine

It could be that that morning coffee you can’t do without is causing a few imbalances you need to be aware of. That’s because too much caffeine can increase cortisol levels in your system, putting your body on high alert. Too much can cause imbalances in your system, which can do more than simply keep you awake at night.  

Need help rebalancing your hormones?

If you think you could be struggling with symptoms of hormone imbalance, the best thing to do is to speak to your GP about potential treatments. This could include Bioidentical Hormone therapy. This treatment can help to replenish the hormones you’re deficient in and help your body to return to normal. At Bio ID, we specialise in Bioidentical Hormone therapy. Using a simple blood test, our experts can determine exactly which hormones you’re deficient in and prescribe a personalised treatment plan.