10 percent of women of reproductive age have endometriosis.
This condition is challenging because symptoms such as bloating, immense pain and fertility fears affect your daily life. However, you may be surprised to know it’s possible to reduce the symptoms with an endometriosis diet! Many women struggle with the symptoms of endometriosis but don’t know that they have this condition. Regrettably, only advanced stages of endometriosis show up on medical tests.
Below is part of the approach I use to help my clients control their endometriosis and, if they are working on fertility, to help them conceive.
My Approach to Reduce Endometriosis
Remove inflammatory foods from your diet such as bread, soy, corn, sugar, too much meat (eat a balanced amount with vegetables; you don’t need to eliminate it altogether). Simply removing these foods can be very effective.
Increase consumption of healing antioxidant and anti inflammatory foods like the ingredients we use in the smoothie recipe below.
Detoxify excess estrogen to decrease endometrial growths. The ingredients in the smoothie bowl also help decrease excess estrogen.
Eating For Your Cycle: find more information about this method here.
Key ingredients in our endometriosis diet smoothie:
Turmeric
- Anti-inflammatory properties reduce PMS symptoms and helps inhibit the growth of the uterine tissues like fibroids, cysts and endometrial growths
- One problem with curcumin (the medicinal compound in turmeric) is its low levels of bioavailability. Most of the curcumin that is ingested gets metabolized before it can get absorbed. Piperine (found in peppercorns) and fats are said to help make curcumin more bioavailable
- Curcumin is also an emmenagogue and an antioxidant
Cinnamon
- As little as 1/2 of one teaspoon of cinnamon daily can have positive effects on blood sugar levels, digestion, immunity, and more
- Contains antioxidants: polyphenols, phenolic acid, and flavonoids. These compounds fight oxidative stress in the body which can lead to disease
- Has seven kinds of flavonoid compounds which are highly effective at reducing inflammation levels
Carrots
- Eating a raw carrot a day has been shown through research in remove excess estrogen from the body. If you’re using Eating For Your Cycle principles this is a great recipe for the Ovulatory phase of your cycle
- Beta-carotene and antioxidants protect your skin from sun damage, preventing premature wrinkling, acne, dry skin, pigmentation, blemishes, uneven skin tone
Banana
- Potassium and B6 can help prevent menstrual cramping and PMS symptoms
Ingredients
- 1 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Mango, frozen
- 1 Banana
- 1 medium Carrot, peeled and diced
- 2" Turmeric, peeled
- 1 tsp Ghee, grass fed
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp Sea salt
- pinch Pepper, fresh ground
- 2 scoops Collagen peptides OR protein powder of choice
Optional Garnishes
- Banana, sliced
- Carrot, shredded
- Coconut, shredded
- Cinnamon powder
- Turmeric powder
- Chia seed
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender.
- Once blended and creamy, pour into a glass to enjoy right away or a bowl for garnishing. You may find it easier to garnish once you put the bowl in the fridge/freezer for 10-20 minutes.
- Garnish with your choice of toppings.
Save to Pinterest for breakfast or a snack this weekend!
Recipe and Photos by Sarah Steffens of Savor & Fancy
Sarah Steffens is a Personal Chef based in Los Angeles. She specializes in Paleo, Autoimmune, and Whole30 cooking and believes food is the starting ground for practicing kindness to one’s body, mind and spirit. She shares recipes and kitchen tips at Savor & Fancy.
