Lets face it...our cycle is our superpower!
So it makes sense we should eat to compliment our naturally fluctuating hormones, working with our bodies to get the very best out of ourselves!
Figuring out how to feed ourselves E V E R Y D A Y is effort, let alone when you factor in our cycle too. Luckily for us, there's some general rules that make it easier...
So our cycle can be broken down into 4 distinct phases:
Menstruation
Follicular Phase
Ovulation
Luteal Phase
Each of these phases make us feel totally different + as such, our bodies need different things in each one! Personally, my energy levels tend to go as follows:
Menstruation - I want to curl up, eat those heavy foods + see no one!
Follicular Phase - I'm feeling better, eating my greens + life is goooood.
Ovulation - Short but sweet, this phase I still feel great.
Luteal Phase - A week of needing ALL the calories.
So let us dig into what + how we should eat to suit our cycle.
Menstruation
What we need:
Iron rich foods
Where to find it:
Dark green leafy
Nuts
Beef
Legumes
Chicken
Dark chocolate.
How to make that taste good:
Mixed nuts with dried fruit.
Lean beef tacos with legumes + spices
Grilled Chicken with sweet potato fries.
An entire bar of dark chocolate, shamelessly.
Follicular Phase
What we need:
Energy + nutrients
Where to find it:
Complex carbs (Fruits, grains + starchy veg)
How to make that taste good:
Granola, Yogurt with fresh fruit (go for colourful fruit to up the nutrient content).
Quinoa salad with lean meat + fried veggies.
Leek + potato soup with a side of sourdough.
Lean beef taco mix with roasted potato wedges.
Ovulation
What we need:
Low GI carbs
Anti-oxidant rich foods
Where to find it:
Salmon
Chia Seeds
Berries (blueberries)
Legumes
Eggs
Spinach
Kale
How to make that taste good:
Grilled salmon with scrambled eggs + spinach.
Yogurt with chia jam (using blueberries).
Spicy chickpeas with stir fried rice + a side of greens.
Luteal Phase
What we need:
Healthy Fats
Calcium rich foods
Protein
Where to find it:
Fish
Avocado
Nuts
Lean Meats
Leafy Greens
How to make that taste good:
Fish curry with rice (my fave is thai curry)
Loaded avocado toast topped with pine nuts.
Turkey bacon bagel with avo + greens.
So there we have it, a ninja quick guide to eating around your cycle + a small insight into why we need it.
If you'd be interested in a 4 week, set meal plan, taking the thought out of working with your cycle, get in touch + grabs yours today. £36 for 4 weeks of not thinking about what to eat...bliss!
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