Updates from Leah Negrin

Let’s be honest—period week can feel like a rollercoaster. Between mood swings, cramps, and bloating, it’s easy to grab comfort foods that feel good in the moment but make things worse later. Over the years, I’ve learned that making simple swaps in my diet during that time of the month can make a huge difference in how I feel. Here’s a breakdown of the foods I avoid and what I eat instead to fuel my body and feel my best.

I know, I know… giving up coffee feels impossible when you’re already dragging. But caffeine spikes cortisol, which can increase inflammation and make cramps even worse. Plus, it messes with blood sugar, leaving you feeling drained after the initial energy boost. Instead, I reach for ginger tea or raspberry leaf tea—both of which work wonders for reducing inflammation and supporting uterine health. Bonus? They’re super soothing and help with relaxation, which my body desperately needs during that time.

White bread, pastries, and other refined carbs spike insulin, which can lead to bloating, mood swings, and even more cravings. Instead, I opt for complex, fiber-rich carbs like sweet potatoes and quinoa to keep my blood sugar stable. These options provide slow-releasing energy and help keep my mood and digestion balanced. Plus, they’re packed with vitamins that support hormone health.

As tempting as chips and packaged snacks are, they’re loaded with sodium and preservatives that can make bloating so much worse. Instead, I reach for avocados and nuts—both rich in healthy fats that support hormone production and help keep inflammation in check. Avocados, in particular, are loaded with potassium, which helps balance sodium levels and reduce water retention.

Sugar is one of the worst culprits when it comes to period symptoms. It depletes magnesium, making cramps worse and leading to energy crashes. To satisfy my sweet tooth without the sugar spike, I go for dark chocolate (70% or higher) and berries. Dark chocolate provides magnesium and antioxidants, while berries give me a sweet boost with fiber and vitamins. Win-win!

When I nourish my body with the right foods during my period, I feel more balanced, my energy stays stable, and my cramps are way more manageable. Making these simple swaps has helped me feel more in control of my cycle—and trust me, it’s worth it! Give these swaps a try next time, and see how much better you feel!

Want recipes to support your cycle? Click here! 

This recipe isn’t just tasty; it’s packed with ingredients that love your body back. The healthy fats from tahini and hemp seeds support heart health by helping manage cholesterol levels, while the oats add fiber for an extra heart-friendly boost. It also delivers key minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium from oats and tahini, which are essential for keeping your bones strong and healthy. And when it comes to energy and metabolism? The B-vitamins in the oats and hemp seeds, along with a solid dose of protein, help fuel your body and support everything from daily energy to tissue repair. So yes, this snack checks all the boxes—nourishing, satisfying, and totally hormone-supportive.

You’ve got your greens.

Your protein shake game is strong.

You never miss a workout.

But if you’re running on cortisol, iced coffee, and a prayer… your hormones might be waving a white flag.

Here’s the thing: doing “healthy” things doesn’t automatically mean your body is thriving. Chronic stress, skipping meals, and pushing your body too hard in the name of wellness can actually have the opposite effect. If you’re constantly feeling anxious, dealing with PMS like clockwork, or running on fumes no matter how much sleep you think you're getting—your hormones are likely out of balance.

Let’s break it down:

💥 Blood Sugar Crashes – When you skip meals (especially breakfast) or rely too heavily on caffeine, your blood sugar becomes a rollercoaster. This puts stress on your adrenals and keeps your body in “fight or flight” mode, aka the land of cortisol overload.

💥 Overtraining – Exercising too intensely, especially during certain phases of your cycle, can drain your energy and leave your body feeling more depleted than energized.

💥 Under-eating – If your meals are missing key components—like enough protein, healthy fats, and fiber—your body isn’t getting the fuel it needs to function, balance hormones, and recover.

So what can you do to start feeling like yourself again?

✨ Eat balanced meals – Every time you eat, aim for a combo of protein + fiber + healthy fats. This keeps your blood sugar steady and gives your body the nutrients it needs.

✨ Sync your workouts to your cycle – You don’t need to crush a high-intensity workout every day. Some days, your body might need a walk or gentle movement instead.

✨ Stop skipping breakfast – Seriously. Your hormones need nourishment early in the day to help regulate your mood, metabolism, and energy.

You deserve to feel good—not just survive on willpower and protein powder.

Want some easy, hormone-supporting meals to help you get started? Grab them here!

This recipe is a win for your hormones + gut because it's packed with protein (thanks to the protein powder + almond butter), which helps your body build hormones, repair tissues, and keep your energy steady.

Strawberries have fiber and antioxidants to keep your digestion happy and your blood sugar balanced—two big wins for hormone health. Plus, the antioxidants in berries help your cells handle stress (especially helpful when estrogen levels are low).

You’ll also get a dose of Vitamin C, calcium, and iron to support your immune system, bones, and oxygen flow.

Carrots are a superstar during the follicular phase, not just because they’re crunchy and satisfying when you're craving something fresh, but because they help support estrogen balance. Right after your period, estrogen starts rising, boosting your energy, mood, and focus. But too much estrogen (or not clearing it properly) can lead to bloating, breakouts, and PMS later on. Carrots contain unique fibers that bind to excess estrogen in the digestive tract, helping your body eliminate it more efficiently; think of them as little hormone helpers sweeping things out! A study in Nutrition and Cancer (1991) found that fiber, like that in raw carrots, supports estrogen elimination, which may help prevent estrogen dominance symptoms. 

For an easy way to support your hormones, try eating raw carrots a few times a week—like in a simple carrot salad with apple cider vinegar and olive oil to keep things flowing smoothly, both literally and hormonally.