Published: · Modified: by Lyndsey Piccolino · This post may contain affiliate links
Seed cycling recipes like smoothies, yogurt bowls and seed cycling energy bites to help with seed cycling for hormone balance. This article explains seed cycling for beginners and gives you some easy seed cycling recipes to make the process easier.
Disclaimer: The information contained here is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to be medical advice and is solely based on my own experience to use vitamins for my personal health. I am not a licensed psychologist, nutritionist, physical trainer, or health care professional. All readers should consult with their healthcare professional before starting any nutrition, wellness or exercise program.
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What is Seed Cycling - Seed Cycling 101 for Beginners
Seed cycling is eating different types of seeds during different times of your menstrual cycle. The four phases of the menstrual cycle are (1):
- menstrual phase
- follicular phase
- ovulation phase
- luteal phase
Seed cycling breaks the cycle up into two parts, Days 1 through 14 and Days 15-28. During Days 1-14, seed cyclers will incorporate ground pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds into their diet. During Days 15-28 someone practicing seed cycling would add ground sesame seeds and ground sunflower seeds to their diet.
The science behind seed cycling is believed that during each phase of the menstrual cycle the seeds produce different effects on hormones. During the follicular phase it is thought that they phytoestrogrens in flax seed work to mimic estrogen while pumpkin seeds are believed to produce progesterone production.
During the luteal phase, polyphenols in sesame seeds are believed to limit estrogen while sunflower seeds are believed to boost progesterone (2).
All of these hormonal impacters are believed to help to regulate your menstrual cycle which some believe work to balance hormones and potentially ease menopause symptoms and other hormone imbalances (3).
My Hormone Balancing Journey
A few years ago I shared about my journey on how to treat hormonal acne, something I've dealt with for the past 6 years. Although I've made progress by working on gut health, I still am looking for ways to balance my hormones naturally.
Diet has been a focus of mine when it comes to natural hormone balance. Seed cycling, although not new in form, has become something I've been investigating as a way to balance hormones naturally.
Along with reducing inflammation, focusing on gut health and modifying my exercise, I've noticed a difference in my cycle since I've started seed cycling. My cycle is more regular on a 28 day cycle verses the 31 plus days it used to be.
My skin is still not where I would like for it to be and seasonal flare-ups still come and go. However, I'm sharing this journey and some of the seed cycling recipes with you to make this journey easier!
Seed Cycling Recipes
Here are a few of my favorite ways to make seed cycling easy! Preparing seed cycling recipes can help you to prep and be prepared.
Seed Cycling Smoothie
Smoothies are by far the easiest way to get your seeds in, at the right time and in the right order! Blending a smoothie will also ensure that your seeds are ground, which is believed to be optimal for seed cycling (4).
For this seed cycling smoothie you need:
- almond milk
- spinach
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds and flaxseed (follicular phase - Days 1-14)
~or~
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds and sunflower seeds (luteal phase - Days 15-28)
- frozen fruit of your choice - 1 cup (this smoothie has frozen mango)
- 1 tablespoon almond butter(highly recommend Georgia Grinders! You can get 20% off with code LYNDSEY20)
Seed Cycling Yogurt Bowl
This seed cycling yogurt bowl is a great way to start your day with the seeds you need! Gather up these ingredients:
- plant based yogurt (I like Forager Cashewmilk yogurt)
- low sugar cereal or homemade granola
- chia seed jam or berries
- nut butter - 1 tablespoon (highly recommend Georgia Grinders! You can get 20% off with code LYNDSEY20)
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds and flaxseed (follicular phase - Days 1-14)
~or~
- sesame seeds and sunflower seeds - 1 tablespoon each (luteal phase - Days 15-28)
Seed Cycling Energy Bites
Seed cycling energy bites are great to meal prep for the entire two weeks of each phase. Gather these ingredients you will need to make these energy bites.
- dates - 1 cup
- cashews - ½ cup
- 3 tablespoon almond butter (highly recommend Georgia Grinders! You can get 20% off with code LYNDSEY20)
- ⅔ cup rolled oats
- 14 tablespoon each, pumpkin seeds and flaxseed (follicular phase - Days 1-14) ~or~ sesame seeds and sunflower seeds - 1 tablespoon each (luteal phase - Days 15-28)
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Have You Tried Seed Cycling? Tell Me About Your Experience in the Comments!
Resources:
- Healthline.com - "Stages of the Menstrual Cycle"
- Healthline.com - "Can Seed Cycling Balance Hormones and Ease Menopause Symptoms?"
- Mindbodygreen.com "Seed Cycling: The Trendiest (And Weirdest) Tool For Better Hormone Balance"
- Foodnetwork.com - "Should You Be Seed Cycling?
