Here is a duo of salads that are not only delicious but perfect for this summer season. They are refreshing and ideal for the whole family, especially for women. Summer salads to balance your hormones.
If you are a woman reading this article you might want to know why. The reason is simple: these salads are packed with a wealth of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and enzymes that help keep our estrogen, the primary female hormone, in balance. I am referring to Aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgens like testosterone into estrogen. Certain foods and toxic chemicals can overstimulate this enzyme’s activity.
Summer Salads to Balance Your Hormones
By taking care of our diet and reducing the exposure to endocrine disruptors, we can maintain hormonal balance. Excess estrogen can lead to the formation of a pro-inflammatory substance called PgE2, which may cause headaches, chronic pain, and inflammation. In short, increased Aromatase activity leads to more estrogen and, therefore, more inflammation.
The keys to maintaining hormonal balance are:
- Maintaining a healthy weight, as being overweight increases Aromatase activity.
- Engaging in regular exercise and physical activity to reduce excessive Aromatase activity.
- Avoiding insulin spikes, which also increase Aromatase activity.
- Following an alkaline/ketogenic diet with a low glycemic index.
- Avoiding estrogenic foods such as dairy, meat, and alcohol.
- Avoiding endocrine disruptors such as plastics, certain perfums and so on.
- Keeping your liver clean to support the second phase of liver methylation, which helps eliminate toxins, histamine and hormones effectively.
Regarding diet, certain foods are essential for estrogen elimination, especially those rich in vitamins B2, B6, B9, and B12, methionine, choline, and inositol. These include avocado, garlic, nuts, spinach and particularly cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale.
As promised, here are these two complementary salads with a low glycemic index, highly alkaline, which will help you maintain your hormonal balance while helping you keep a lean body.
First Salad:
- Raw Kale: rich in calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and 10% protein.
- Tempeh (organic fermented soy): a complete protein source.
- Activated almonds: rich in essential fats, vitamin E, and calcium.
- Tomato: contains vitamin C and lycopene.
- Shiitake mushrooms: boost immunity.
- Sprouted lentils: rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.
Second Salad
- Chopped raw cauliflower resembling fake rice.
- Chopped raw red cabbage.
Dressing
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Brewer’s yeast with wheat germ
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper
Preparation
- Cut all the ingredients of the first salad into small to medium-sized pieces and add them to a large bowl.
- Add the chopped ingredients for the second salad to another smaller bowl.
This duo of absolutely delicious salads is high in fiber, making them very filling and easy to prepare. I also recommend serving them together, as they will bring a spectacular burst of color to your table.
