Baked goods are everywhere during the holidays. And we mean everywhere.
So, if you’re trying to maintain a diet — be it for weight loss, your uterine fibroids, or both — it would make sense that this time of year feels all but laden with edible landmines.
But don’t worry, we’re here to help you navigate the holidays with our fibroid guide to feasting!
Foods that Impact Fibroids
Before we do any deep-diving, we’re going to name the top two ingredients you should steer clear of: Sugar and soy.
While sugar is pretty much a staple of the holiday season, it can also spike blood sugar and either trigger or worsen existing fibroid symptoms. Additionally, it can increase weight gain, thereby also worsening uterine fibroids.
Soy products, on the other hand, contain what is known as “phytoestrogens,” which mimic the body’s natural estrogen hormones — the likes of which exacerbate uterine fibroids. That means tofu, soy milk, soybeans, and other related food will be off the table this year.
“Some patients find that making dietary changes like eating more fruits and vegetables and reducing red meat, caffeine, and alcohol consumption can improve their symptoms,” according to the University of Chicago Medicine.
Building Your Fibroid-Friendly Menu
First and foremost, “fiber-rich foods aid weight loss and balance hormones,” Healthline explains. “They also help to keep blood sugar levels steady. For these reasons, fiber may help prevent and slow the growth of fibroids.”
Thus, we recommend you build your meals around some of the following ingredients:
- Vegetables (raw or cooked)
- Fruit (raw or cooked)
- Whole grain bread
- Whole grain pasta
- Barley
- Lentils
- Beans
- And more
Additionally, research conducted in 2021 has confirmed that “vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk for uterine myoma onset.”
You may consider increasing your intake of some of these foods:
- Eggs (yolks, in particular)
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Fortified orange juice
- Fortified dairy products
- And more
Honing in on Holiday Relief
When all is said and done, maintaining certain dietary alterations can only take you so far. They might help to mitigate or lessen your symptoms, but they certainly won’t eliminate them. Nor can they eliminate your uterine fibroids.
So, if you’re tired of uterine fibroids cramping your style, Duval Fibroid Center wants to give you the gift of long-lasting comfort!
This holiday season, we encourage you to come and ask us about uterine fibroid embolization, or UFE, which is minimally invasive, FDA-approved, and features a high patient satisfaction rate!
Enter the holiday season with unparalleled comfort. If you’re ready to schedule, contact us today by calling (904) 423-6017! We look forward to providing you with lasting relief from your fibroids.
