In today’s world, it is easy to get confused about what’s healthy and what’s not. With marketing, dozens of different diets, and just downright conflicting information it’s no wonder we are confused about what to eat. With that being said, there are certain foods that you could be eating today that could be causing hormonal imbalance.

Whether a food appears to be healthy or not, it’s important to really uncover whether or not a food is going to fuel our body or cause health problems down the road. If hormonal imbalance is something you deal with regularly, keep reading. I am about to uncover three foods that you could be eating today that could potentially be causing hormonal imbalance.

#1 Caffeine 

While not necessarily a food, although caffeine is found in chocolate, it can cause hormonal imbalance. While moderate amounts of caffeine may be ok for some, some people are very sensitive to caffeine, and too much can cause issues for most. Caffeine can impact the central nervous system which is why you feel more alert after drinking that cup of coffee. However, this also means that your hormones could become out of whack. Caffeine could potentially lead to an increase in cortisol levels and even adrenaline. This can lead to things like anxiety, irritability, and even difficulty sleeping.

Instead of downing cups of coffee each day when you feel tired, try adding some energy boosting foods to your diet instead such as healthy fats. Coconut oil, nuts, seeds, and avocados are great for giving your body a nice boost of energy without the side effects caffeine comes with.

#2 Gluten 

If you are consuming gluten and have a gluten sensitivity, it can put you at risk for developing leaky gut syndrome. Having leaky gut means that undigested food particles as well as other toxins leak into your blood stream and can cause inflammation throughout your body. Many people are suffering from a gluten sensitivity, and when you develop leaky gut this condition doesn’t just affect the digestive system, it can also create hormonal issues in the body. Leaky gut can even lead to autoimmune conditions down the road so it’s best to try a gluten free diet if you suspect you may be dealing with a gluten sensitivity. Even if you do not suspect one, it may be beneficial to remove gluten from your diet as more and more research is pointing towards the harmful effects gluten has on the body and particularly the digestive system.

#3 Dairy 

While dairy is commonly looked at as the “calcium superstar” when it comes to getting calcium into our diet, dairy can actually cause hormonal imbalance. Now, I am not talking about raw full-fat dairy products but rather conventional dairy that comes from cows that have been injected with hormones, antibiotics, and steroids.

Dairy is also difficult to digest for a large majority of the population. If you suspect you may be dealing with a sensitivity or allergy to dairy, try eliminating it as it may be just what your hormones need to help get back in balance.

Despite the fact that some foods have been deemed as healthy, this is not always the case, and every food is going to affect each person differently. If you are suffering from hormonal imbalance try cutting these foods out of your diet for a couple of weeks to see how you feel. You may be surprised at what dietary changes can do for your overall health.