Seed cycling was a big trend during the last years when hormone imbalances got a lot of attention from a lot of blogs and magazines. Without even knowing, some of us were somehow following the seed cycling schedule simply because we include a lot of seeds in our daily diet in the form of seed butter and tahini, or as a result of following a keto diet. As for myself, I always add seeds to my morning oats and sometimes in salads, but of course this doesn’t make me a strict adept of the seed cycling. A healthy diet should definitely include seeds of any kind, preferably soaked or ground to make the nutrients more available, but sticking to a strict seed schedule is something completely different and somehow challenging, just like any other schedule.
For those of you who found theirselves in difficulty when it comes getting creative with incorporating the necessary seeds in their diet, I created these pretty energy balls. In this way, you can have a daily delicious snack and not worry about forgetting to add the seed mixture to your morning bowl, salads or smoothies.
Coming back to the seed cycling, I can’t say if it really gets results, but again, having seeds in your daily diet only comes with benefits for a balanced hormone production, due to their healthy monounsaturated fats and essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. They say an action turns into habit if daily made for 21 days, so if choosing the seed schedule will help you build a habit of adding them into your diet, to understand more about the way your body works and reconnect to your femininity, why not try it out! Here are the very basic scientific facts that backs up this hormone balancing trend:
- Your monthly cycle consists in two phases – the follicular phase (days 1 – 14, starting the count from the day your period begins) and luteal phase (days 15 – 28, for a 28 days cycle but you will adapt the numbers to your own cycle).
- Every phase is governed by a main hormone – estrogen during the follicular phase and progesterone during the luteal phase.
- Your body repeats the same hormone dance every single month – during the follicular phase, it’s the high levels of estrogen that prepares the egg for ovulation, which happens around day 14 and means that the egg is released, the follicular phase finishes and your body enters in the luteal phase. The progesterone levels rise, as it needs to prepare the uterine lining (endometrium) for a possible pregnancy. If the egg isn’t fertilised, your period begins, the endometrium is eliminated and the cycle starts all over again.
- Pumpkin and flax seeds for days 1-14, sunflower and sesame seeds for days 15-28. This is a very simple combination that supports the hormone production and prevent the accumulations during both the cycle phases.
- During the Follicular Phase, the flax seeds provide phytoestrogens, in the form of lignans which bind to estrogen receptors and balance the estrogen production, while blocking the estrogen accumulation. Pumpkin seeds provide Zinc for prepping your body for the next phase. Both seeds supply your body with a good dose of omega-3 to reduce inflammation.
- During the Luteal Phase, the sesame seeds also provide lignans, to modulate the estrogen production and avoid PMS due to estrogen accumulation. The sunflower seeds are high in Selenium, a mineral that helps the liver function and the hormone elimination. Both seeds supply the omega-6, to stimulate the progesterone production and reducing inflammation caused by PMS.
You basically need 1 up to 2 tablespoons of the seed mix daily for a period of 3 months to get the results, but again – a healthy habit is more important than chasing for immediate improvement signs. I know that PMS can be a big struggle (yep, I’ve been there and still kicks in during stressful periods), and focusing on making healthy changes to your diet really works. Seed cycling is just another trendy name for a very simple healthy habit, which you can adapt by occasionally replacing the seeds with nuts that have the same properties. For starting though, try sticking to the seed cycling schedule in order to build the habit, and then adapt it to your own preferences.
Interested in finding new ways for healthy snacking for hormone balance? Try out my Raw Energy Power Balls , my Gluten-Free Granola Bars with Pistachio or my Protein Power Snack with Chocolate and Cashews.
Follicular Phase Seed Cycling Balls
Ingredients
- 7 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds
- 7 tbsp flax seed
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 4 dry pitted dates soaked and drained
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
- 1 tbsp matcha powder plus extra for coating
- 1 tbsp almond milk
Instructions
- Add the oats, flax and pumpkin seeds into the food processor and pulse to obtain a flour
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process to obtain a sticky mixture. Add more almond milk if the mixture is too dry.
- Roll the mixture into balls using your hands, then place the balls onto a plate with matcha powder.
- Roll to coat evenly, transfer into an airtight glass container and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
Luteal Phase Seed Cycling Balls
Ingredients
- 7 tbsp raw sunflower seeds
- 7 tbsp raw sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp rolled oats
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 2 tsp beet powder plus extra for powdering
- 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- To garnish - dried rose petals
Instructions
- Add the oats, sesame and sunflower seeds into the food processor and pulse to obtain a flour.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and process to obtain a sticky mixture.
- Roll the mixture into balls using your hands, then place the balls onto a plate, sprinkle with rose petals and powder them with beet powder.
- Transfer into an airtight glass container and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
Girl, these are on POINT! Lovely job!
Thank you, Dana! XO
Love the seeds cycling idea and the seed cycling balls. After finding out I had insulin resistance my hormones have been so out of wack. I tried Maca, vitex and even bovine reproductive organ pills which helped slow down the bleeding, but it didn’t stop. Recently I have started doing Spirulina, fresh peeled orange, frozen mango and pineapple with filtered water or coconut water. The Spirulina has done miracles for me! No coffee or strong tea in the mornings needed anymore! I just don’t know why I don’t see more articles or posts about how amazing the Spirulina is. I still sip tea throughout the day but mellow pu’ehr teas with natural orange blossom honey from a local bee farm which is completely different from store bought. Thanks for posting about Spirulina. I will def. give your recipe a try!
Spirulina ia favourite of mine too, I’m so happy to read you found a natural remedy that helped you with the insulin resistance! Thank you for sharing this info with my readers, I’m sure there are a lot of people who will appreciate it!
I just love all of your recipes !!!!!!
Thank you so much!
This looks so good! What a great way to still enjoy a treat while treating your body well!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?