What’s the hype around seed cycling?

It’s a very simple concept, and so simple you’ll probably find you already have these in your pantry!

So… what is it?

Seed cycling is the practice of supporting your hormones naturally by incorporating specific seeds into your diet at different phases of your ovarian cycle. Although, rather than cycling over the four phases of our ovarian cycle, seed cycling is split into two phases. The follicular phase or lets call it the “flourishing phase” and the luteal phase or the “restorative phase”.

During the flourishing phase between the first day of our bleed to the day we ovulate, the two types of seeds to consume daily is 1 tablespoon of flax seed and 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seed.

Now, during the restorative phase between the day after ovulation to the day before your period, you change out to two different types of seeds being 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds and 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds.

What are the benefits?

Each of these seeds are filled with nutrients such as lignans, omega-3s, fibre, vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, selenium (just to name a few) and these have been shown to eliminate excess oestrogen from the body, aid progesterone production, exert antioxidant effects. Research has shown that menstrual pain has reduced and PMS symptoms have improved

And… what should I add them to?

It’s so easy! Add them to any meal you’d like, either adding to your smoothies, sprinkling over a salad, mixing in with yoghurt or blending into pesto- endless options!