A Nutritionist’s Guide to Eating for Hormone Health for Women in Midlife
- Brainz Magazine
- Jun 5
- 4 min read
Written by Anna Pelzer, Vegan Menopause Coach
Anna Pelzer is a Vegan Menopause Coach and Registered Holistic Nutrition Practitioner who helps women balance their hormones, lose weight, and feel confident and energized through menopause. She’s also the host of the Vegan Menopause Podcast.
Hormones influence nearly everything: your energy, appetite, mood, sleep, and even where your body stores fat. If you’re in your 40s or beyond, you’ve probably noticed that your body doesn’t respond to food the same way it used to. But here's the good news: you don’t need extreme diets or hormone “hacks.” What you do need is a grounded, nutrient-focused approach to eating that supports your body’s natural shifts during perimenopause and beyond.
15 sustainable eating habits that help your hormones work with you
1. Eat enough, especially protein
If you’re undereating (intentionally or not), your body will respond by reducing energy output and making stress hormones work harder. Protein helps stabilize blood sugar, supports muscle maintenance, and contributes to neurotransmitter production (think serotonin for mood). Aim for a source of protein at every meal; lentils, tofu, tempeh, edamame, hemp seeds, and vegan protein powders all count.
2. Stop skipping meals
Blood sugar dips are stressful for the body. When your blood sugar drops too low, cortisol (a stress hormone) rises to compensate. This can lead to energy crashes, irritability, and late-night cravings. Regular meals, ideally every 4 to 5 hours, can help keep things steady.
3. Make fiber your friend
Not only does fiber help with digestion, but it also plays a key role in estrogen metabolism. A fiber-rich diet supports gut health and helps your body process and eliminate excess estrogen through the digestive tract. Think: chickpeas, flaxseeds, oats, chia seeds, berries, and leafy greens.
4. Add healthy fats
Your body needs fat to make hormones. It also helps absorb fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K. Avocados, nuts, seeds, tahini, olive oil, and flax oil are excellent vegan sources. Don’t fear the fat. Embrace the right kinds in moderate amounts.
5. Ditch the blood sugar rollercoaster
Simple carbs on their own (like white bread, sugary snacks, or juice) spike blood sugar quickly, then crash it just as fast. Pair carbs with protein, fiber, and fat to slow digestion and keep you steady. For example, pair fruit with hemp seeds or whole grain toast with almond butter.
6. Get serious about sleep snacks
Trouble sleeping? A light evening snack that includes complex carbs and protein may help. A small chia pudding or seed bread with hummus can help support steady blood sugar overnight, reducing cortisol-driven wake-ups at 3am.
7. Prioritize magnesium-rich foods
Magnesium supports hundreds of functions in the body, including those related to stress, sleep, and muscle relaxation. Many women in midlife don’t get enough. Great sources include pumpkin seeds, spinach, black beans, and dark chocolate (but avoid chocolate after 3pm if it keeps you awake at night).
8. Don’t forget B vitamins
B vitamins (especially B6, B12, and folate) support nervous system function and mood regulation. B12 is critical for vegans, and midlife women often need more. Fortified nutritional yeast, legumes, leafy greens, and a B12 supplement are good places to start.
9. Hydration is hormone support
Hormones are transported through your bloodstream, which is mostly water. Even mild dehydration can trigger fatigue, headaches, or increased hunger signals. Aim for filtered water, herbal teas, and mineral-rich broths throughout the day.
10. Curb the caffeine chaos
While a cup or two of coffee is fine for many, caffeine can exacerbate anxiety, disrupt sleep, and affect blood sugar. Try replacing one daily coffee with a dandelion coffee, rooibos chai, or a mushroom-based drink. Pay attention to how you feel, not just how awake you are.
11. Make your plate colourful
Phytonutrients, found in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, help reduce inflammation and support cellular health. Think: red cabbage, purple carrots, berries, turmeric, yellow peppers, leafy greens, and sweet potatoes. Aim for a “rainbow” throughout the week.
12. Eat for gut health
Your gut and your hormones are in constant communication. A diverse gut microbiome supports better estrogen metabolism, immune function, and mood. Include fermented foods like sauerkraut, tempeh, or plant-based yogurt, and feed your microbes with prebiotic fibre (onions, garlic, leeks, asparagus, bananas).
13. Be mindful of alcohol
Alcohol can disrupt sleep, increase hot flashes, and strain your liver, your body’s main detox organ for processing estrogen. You don’t have to quit completely, but consider how alcohol makes you feel the next day. Even small reductions can support better hormonal harmony.
14. Cook more, package less
Processed foods, like faux meats and frozen meals, can be convenient, but they’re often high in sodium and low in key nutrients. Cooking at home allows you to control ingredients and tune into what your body needs. It doesn’t need to be gourmet; simple is powerful.
15. Eat with the seasons
Seasonal eating encourages variety and supports your body’s changing needs. In colder months, warming soups, root vegetables, and stews feel grounding. In summer, fresh salads and juicy fruit feel refreshing. Notice how your appetite and cravings shift and eat accordingly.
Bottom line
Eating to support hormone health isn’t about being perfect. It’s about consistency, feeding your body the nutrients it needs to function well. There’s no single magic food or supplement, but daily habits add up. Eat a variety of plant foods. Eat mindfully. And know that supporting your hormones starts with how you nourish yourself.
Are you ready to feel more balanced and supported through your menopause journey? Whether you're looking for practical meal ideas, more energy, or just a fresh start with your nutrition, my free 3-day vegan meal plan is here to guide you. It’s a great starting point for women in perimenopause who want to eat in a way that supports their hormones and energy levels. Download your copy here.
Read more from Anna Pelzer
Anna Pelzer, Vegan Menopause Coach
Anna Pelzer is a Vegan Menopause Coach and Registered Holistic Nutrition Practitioner. In her mid-40s, perimenopause and a demanding job took a toll on her body and well-being -- she gained 20 pounds, which she struggled to lose. Through nutrition, a personalized movement strategy, mindset work to shift her self-image, meditation to manage stress, and embodiment practices to reconnect with her body, Anna lost the extra weight naturally -- without restrictive dieting or hitting the gym.
