Balance hormones naturally through food! This cherry, flax, and maca hormone balancing smoothie is hearty, nutrient-dense, and (best of all) supports the female cycle. Enjoy anytime, especially during the first half of your cycle, and reap its hormone-balancing, mood-boosting, energizing benefits.
How many of you are interested in balancing your hormones naturally through food? My hand is raised!
So if you’re in the interested “camp”, welcome!
This is the first of a 4-part series focusing on the entire female cycle, creating smoothies that support each of the phases, talking about nutrition, rest, and how we can feel at our best throughout the month.
I do want to add before we start, that all opinions in this post are my own and they are not to replace a medical professional.
In the last few years I’ve become more cognizant of my own body: paying attention to my moods, how they directly relate to food and are affected by food.
One pattern that’s very predictable for me is that I reach for food that’s not necessarily good for me when I’m stressed and end up feeling worse instead of better. Sure, in the moment it may seem I’m helping my mood, but quite the opposite is true.
So let’s get right into it and start off talking about the favorite part of the cycle: the follicular phase.
What is the follicular phase?
This phase starts on the first day of your menstrual period and ends as ovulation begins. During this time of the month, our bodies produce more estrogen, which boosts our energy and confidence. Once bleeding ends, we typically feel quite good — more creative, social, and inspired.
“The estradiol rising in the body can help to tamp down the effects of the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol […] and that could also play a part in preserving happy moods.” —Source
Best Foods To Eat During The Follicular Phase
During this time, it’s important to consider foods that help support hormone production, particularly if you are trying to conceive. Here are some foods you may want to consider incorporating, particularly during your follicular phase.
- Leafy greens
- Almonds
- Fermented vegetables
- Avocado
- Flax seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Broccoli
- Broccoli sprouts
- Salmon and seafood
- Maca
While we’re on the topic of food, let’s get into today’s recipe and make a hearty Cherry, Flax and Maca Hormone Balancing Smoothie. It’s a nutrient-dense smoothie that’s packed with goodness and will keep your mood balanced while also supporting the follicular phase.
This Cherry, Flax & Maca Hormone Balancing Smoothie is…
- Paleo approved
- Whole30 approved
- dairy-free
- nutrient-dense
- perfectly fine for men and women
- simple to make
- ready in 5 minutes!
I’m a big believer that if something tastes good and is good for you, you’re more likely to return to it. This smoothie is hearty enough that you could have it for breakfast or (if you’re like me) second breakfast!
Here’s what you need: frozen cherries, fresh or frozen banana, ground flax seeds, ground almonds, vanilla extract, coconut oil, maca, and cacao. You’ll also want a high speed blender such as the Vitamix.
To make my life easier, I like to grind almonds and flax seeds in advance and store them in air-tight containers. Then they’re ready whenever I need them.
To finely grind flax seeds and almonds, I recommend using a food processor or a high speed blender, grinding them and storing them separately. Cool storage, such as the fridge or freezer, is the best place to keep them fresh.
Hormone Balancing Smoothie Benefits, Substitutions & More!
#1 — Cherries
If you don’t like cherries, you can use blueberries, which I find work really well in this smoothie. Any other frozen berry will also do, but watch out for the seeds in raspberries and blackberries. I like using cherries in this smoothie for their anti-inflammatory power and their circulatory support.
#2 — Banana
We all love bananas! They’re antioxidant-rich, filling, and make the perfect creamy base for a smoothie. But if you’re looking to keep the sugar down, you can add 1/2 of an avocado in place of banana.
#3 — Flax seeds
If you’re worried your smoothie will contain chunky pieces of nuts, don’t worry! If you’re grinding them both in advance, you will not be able to taste them.
Flax seeds help to balance hormones by regulating estrogen. For this reason, it’s often used in seed cycling (learn more about seed cycling to support the female cycle here!)
The wonderful thing about flax is that it is an estrogenic adaptogen, either amplifying or reducing estrogen, depending on what the body needs.
Since they are an integral part of this smoothie and play a role in balancing hormones, I would not look to making any substitutions.
#4 — Maca
Maca is considered a superfood for its incredible benefits on mood, energy, and hormones. It’s a food that has been well studied.
Maca boosts libido in both men and women, increases fertility, improves mood and energy levels among other things. It is my essential superfood and it’s only right that it has a place in this hormone balancing recipe!
Maca has a nutty taste that on its own isn’t particularly great, but works wonderfully in this smoothie.
Read more about maca here, and here!
#5 — Cacao
I’ve added cacao because I love chocolate (I hope you do too) and because of its hormone-balancing properties. It’s packed with magnesium and antioxidants and also contains estrogen-like properties, making it a primary candidate for our smoothie.
Final Thoughts
I hope you will enjoy this cherry, flax, and maca hormone balancing smoothie as much as I do. It’s perfect first thing in the morning or as a snack.
Cherry, Flax & Maca Hormone Balancing Smoothie
Balance hormones naturally through food! This cherry, flax, and maca hormone balancing smoothie is hearty, nutrient-dense, and (best of all) supports the female cycle. Enjoy anytime, especially during the first half of your cycle, and reap its hormone-balancing, mood-boosting, energizing benefits.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cherries frozen
- 1/2 banana fresh or frozen
- 1 tablespoon flax seed meal
- 1 tablespoon almond flour or whole almonds ground up finely in the food processor
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1.5 cups almond milk or cashew milk, or raw milk if you tolerate dairy
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon maca powder
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients and blend well.
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Serve right away.
Looking For More Hormone Balancing Recipes?
- Hormone-Balancing Bliss Balls For Seed Cycling
- Dairy-Free Hormone-Balancing Chocolate Malt {with maca & collagen!}
- No-Bake Herbal Adaptogen Energy Balls
- Top 5 Essential Oils For Women (for hormone balance, PMS, menopause, & in the bedroom!)
- Mixed Berry Hormone Balancing Smoothie For Ovulation Support
- Chocolate, Avocado & Blueberry Hormone Balancing Smoothie For Luteal Phase Support
- Mango, Turmeric, & Ginger Hormone Balancing Smoothie For Menstruation
- Superfood Smoothie Recipe …From A Homemade Mix!
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This looks so good! What a great way to eat healthy and dial in to support your hormones!
Thanks for sharing! I love this chocolate/cherry/almond flavor profile! So delicious and nutritious!
I made this smoothie twice this week! Love it