If you have recently noticed a drop in your energy, mood changes, skin changes, and an unexplained weight gain, your hormones could be to blame. Fortunately, there are different things you can do to get back on track if your hormones appear to be out of balance.

Trying the hormone reset diet could help you feel better. This 21-day program was created by Dr. Sara Gottfried, and is supposed to help you lose weight and gain back your energy by rebalancing your hormones.

It focuses on whole, nutritious foods, but it also requires you to eliminate different foods from your plate, such as meats, fruits, dairy, and grains. Coffee and alcohol should also be avoided, and replaced by herbal tea, flavoured water, and hot water with lemon juice and cayenne.

What foods do you eat on the hormone reset diet? Here is what you should include in your diet:

1. Vegetables

Vegetables are probably the most important foods to eat for a hormone reset diet. People who follow the hormone reset diet should eat at least one pound of vegetables each day. These veggies should ideally be organic, in season, and grown locally.

So you can expect to eat plenty of celery, carrots, spinach, kale, broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprouts, zucchini, cauliflower, lettuce, bell peppers, bok choy, radishes, squash, cucumber, turnip, and more.

If you want to use frozen vegetables to prepare soup or other recipes, make sure they don’t contain any sugar or additives.

2. Low-fructose fruits

Fruits that are high in fructose will have to be eliminated at some point during the 21-day program of the hormone reset diet.

However, fruits that don’t contain a lot of fructose can still be enjoyed. This includes lemons, limes, coconut, avocado, olives, and berries. These should ideally, just like your vegetables, be organic, in season, and grown locally, as much as possible.

You should stock up on lemons, as you will have to drink lemon water each day during your diet.

3. Nuts and seeds

While on the hormone reset diet, you should also eat nuts and seeds. Try a variety of nuts such as raw almonds, Brazil nuts, walnuts, and cashews. However, if your main goal for trying this diet is losing weight, it’s best to limit cashews as they are rich in starch.

Don’t forget about pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, and hemp seeds, which can bring you fiber and nutrients.

4. Eggs

Eggs are a great source of protein and healthy fats, as long as you choose organic, free-range eggs. Free-range hens that are allowed to roam freely are healthier that hens that live cramped in small cages, and as a result, the eggs they produce are healthier.

They contain more vitamin and more omega-3 fats, and they are free of bacteria. While on the hormone reset diet, you should only consume organic free-range eggs.

5. Poultry foods

Ret meat is not allowed while on this diet. However, you can eat poultry such as chicken and turkey, as long as it is organic and free-range.

When they are allowed to roam freely and forage to find their own food, chickens and turkeys are healthier. Their meat contains no antibiotics, and is more flavourful and of a higher quality.

6. Cold-water fish

You can also eat cold-water fish, preferably wild-caught instead of farmed. These fish contain less mercury, and more omega-3 fatty acids which are good for your body.

Try cod, Alaskan salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, anchovies, herring, and sturgeon, but also crab, clams, oysters, and scallops.

Organic fish bone broth is also good to add to your diet, and can help you prepare delicious soups.

7. Grain-free crackers

If you enjoy crackers along with your vegetable soup, be sure to only choose grain-free crackers, as you can’t eat grains while on the hormone reset diet.

Grain-free crackers can be made from almond flour, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, sprouted sunflower seeds, herbs, and vegetables. There are plenty of delicious varieties to choose from, and the most difficult part could be to choose your new favourite crackers.

8. Herbs and spices

Herbs, fresh or dried, can instantly add a lot of flavour to any recipe. Spices are also allowed while on the diet, as long as they don’t contain any sugar or additives.

Season your meals with cilantro, basil, thyme, parsley, tarragon, ginger, cayenne, cinnamon, onion, or garlic.

9. Stevia and xylitol

But what about dessert? If you like dark chocolate, you will be glad to know it’s allowed.

And when you learn more about the hormone reset diet, you will see that there are delicious recipes you can prepare for dessert to keep you satisfied. However, since sugar has to be avoided, you should use sweeteners such as stevia, xylitol and erythritol instead.

As you can see, there are many foods you can eat when you try the hormone reset diet. Don’t hesitate to make more research, and to look for recipes that inspire you to cook wholesome, delicious meals that will help you achieve your health goals.