Phytoestrogens are natural plant hormones found in grains, beans, nuts, seeds, seed oils, berries, fruits, vegetables, and roots. Women with low excretions of these hormones in their urine were found to have four times more cancer.  

Phytoestrogens actually appear to protect tissues from the cancer-causing effects of xenoestrogens and other hormonal pollutants. During the holidays it may be hard to keep our diets as nutritious as we would like. However, we can keep our phytoestogen supply steady by keeping two major food categories in mind: beans and crucifereous vegetables.

Susun Weed provides us with an easy list of food ideas that we need to eat daily. Phytoestrogenic foods are the basis for a healthy diet and a long life. The first food listed is the highest in phytoestrogens. The best diet contains not just one but many choices from each list:

~ Whole grains (rye, oats, barley, millet, rice, wheat, corn)  

~ Edible seeds (buckwheat, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, amaranth, quinoa)  

~ Beans (yellow split peas, black turtle beans, baby limas, Anasazi beans, red kidney beans, red lentils, soy beans)  

~ Leafy greens and seaweed (parsley, nettle, kelp, cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards, lamb's quarter)  

~ Fruits (olives, cherries, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, salmon berries, apricots, crab apples, quinces, rosehips, blueberries)  

~ Olive oil and seed oils  

~ Garlic, onions and their relatives leeks, chives, scallions, ramps, shallot

Then, we must also have a healthy gut in order to absorb these phytoestrogens. Antibiotic intake will cause a decrease in our absorption ability. Susun suggests eating "more yogurt, miso, unpasteurized sauerkraut, homemade beers and wines, picked-by-your-own-hands-and-unwashed fruits and salads, sourdough bread, and whey-fermented vegetables (see Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon for whey-fermented vegetable recipes)."

Sounds a lot different than what 's normally offered during the holidays! Don't worry, just catch up after the holidays and get your eating habits back on track for a healthier you every day.