We all know that calories are a significant factor in weight gain and loss, but other factors can affect weight fluctuations too. These include cravings, appetite, fat storage, and hormones. Remember, during PMS, cravings tend to be tied to salty and sugary foods. Well, it is all thanks to our hormones!
Today, a lot of people are turning to ‘The Hormone Diet’ to tap and regulate their unmanaged hormones. The diet focuses on hormone fluctuations and tends to optimize hormone levels in the body through specific eating patterns, lifestyle changes, and sometimes supplements. It is based on the premise that hormonal imbalances can contribute to weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, and other health issues.
The Hormone Diet doesn’t just focus on diet but also incorporates nutritional supplements, exercise, and detoxification to ensure that all aspects of your health are being considered, giving you peace of mind as you work towards your weight management goals.
| Also read: 11 HORMONES THAT CAUSE WEIGHT GAIN – AND HOW TO IMPROVE THEM |
Aim of the Diet
The hormone diet is grounded in scientific principles. Its primary objectives are to reduce inflammation and insulin resistance, both of which are strongly linked to obesity. Scientific evidence suggests that highly processed meals, which are restricted on this diet, are more likely to cause weight gain than whole, unprocessed meals. These processed meals are often calorie-dense and can disrupt hunger hormones, leading to weight gain.
Processed foods also contribute to insulin resistance, a situation in which the body begins to bypass the hormone insulin, which enables the regulation of blood sugar levels. This can lead to weight gain as insulin levels rise to compensate for their reduced effectiveness since insulin also initiates fat storage. Additionally, these foods can include large quantities of added sugars, and you need to limit them in your diet whenever possible.
Key Components of the Hormone Diet
The Hormone Diet focuses on:
- Maintaining a Balanced Eating Plan: Emphasizes on eating whole, unprocessed foods, including a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains. It often recommends avoiding refined sugars, processed foods, and trans fats.
- Add Some Specific Foods To Your Diet: Certain foods are believed to support hormonal health. Make sure to add them to your diet. These include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like fish and flaxseeds), fiber (like leafy greens and legumes), and antioxidants (like berries and nuts).
- Prioritize Meal Timing: The hormone diet may involve eating at specific times to help regulate insulin levels and support metabolic health. This can include balanced meals and snacks throughout the day to maintain stable blood sugar levels.
- Detoxification: Some versions of the hormone diet include a detox phase to eliminate toxins that may disrupt hormone balance. This phase typically involves a temporary elimination of certain foods and beverages, like caffeine, alcohol, and common allergens.
- Lifestyle Changes: In addition to dietary changes, you must include regular physical activity, stress management techniques (like yoga or meditation), and adequate sleep in your lifestyle to support overall hormonal health.
- Supplements: Depending on individual needs, the hormone diet may suggest supplements such as vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies that support hormonal balance. It’s important to consult a board-certified obesity medicine physician before starting any supplement regimen.
The Benefits of Hormone Reset Diet
Here are a few benefits of the Hormone Diet:
- Concentrates on whole foods: The hormone reset diet concentrates on whole foods, an abundance of vegetables, and lean proteins characteristic of a healthy diet. The diet has no space for processed foods or added sugars.
- Decreases sugar: Although bypassing starchy grains and fruit is disproportionate to lowering your sugar intake, the hormone reset diet demands avoiding added sugars. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most adults ingest a considerable amount of added sugars.
- Improves Energy Levels: Balanced hormones can lead to increased energy and reduced fatigue.
- Facilitates Weight Management: By addressing hormonal imbalances, the diet aids weight loss and prevents weight gain.
- Uplifts Mood: Proper hormone function can help stabilize mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The hormone reset diet assigns you the ability to make healthy food decisions. The approved meals are all nutritious and helpful and offer you the capacity to take possession of your health.
The Limitations of Hormone Diet
There are various drawbacks and risks of the hormone reset diet:
- Eradicates healthy food groupings: The hormone reset diet and removes various foods deemed healthy by most nutrition professionals, such as fruit and whole grains.
- Expense: Since the endorsed foods mainly need to be organic and free-range, the price of the food could be too high for many people. Further, multiple recipes and foods offered are specialty articles that are much pricier than regular foods.
- Extremely restrictive: Diets that dismiss entire food groups are usually too restrictive and can lead to disordered eating habits. Restrictive diets can also socially separate you when you cannot eat the way your friends and family do.
- May result in nutrient depletion: The hormone diet removes dairy, fruit, and grains which are healthy foods. These food groups are necessary to reach the recommended amount of vitamin D, calcium, and fiber daily.
Though restrictive, the hormone diet aims to maintain a healthy hormone balance through diet and lifestyle changes. But like other diets, it must be practiced under strict medical supervision. So, reach out to a certified weight loss consultant like Dr. Lala and get personalized support and guidance for effective health and weight management. Schedule your appointment and take the first step towards a healthier you!
