Uterine Fibroid Diet Plan ( Indian chart and Food List )

How to shrink fibroids with diet? Here is the best Uterine Fibroid Diet Plan ( Indian chart and Food List ). Menstrual pain, cramps, and mood swings are a part of every woman’s life. However, sometimes you may find abnormal growths in the uterus. These growths are known as fibroids. These fibroids are non-cancerous, however, they can create some health issues. You will find some important tips on how diet can help you ease your fibroid problem.

What are fibroids?

Fibroids are made up of muscles and connective tissues which are formed in and around the uterine wall. They come in various sizes. It can grow singly or in a cluster. Fibroids are very common in females of reproductive age. It is most of the time asymptomatic. But if the fibroid numbers or size increases it may cause certain symptoms.

Symptoms of Fibroids

• Abdominal pain
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding between cycles
• Bloating]
• Pain during intercourse
• Lower back pain
• Vaginal discharge
• Anaemia
• Infertility
• Miscarriages
• Constipation

Causes of Fibroids

• Hormonal imbalance
• Genetics
• Not conceiving
• Early onset of menstruation
• Late menopause

How to Diagnose Fibroids?

Fibroids can be diagnosed by a physical pelvic examination by a gynecologist. A physical examination, the presence of the above-mentioned symptoms, and an ultrasound confirm the formation of the fibroids.

Treatment of Fibroids

Mostly these fibroids shrink on their own. In very severe cases, sometimes surgery is needed to remove the fibroid. The size of the fibroid depends on the amount of hormones in the body. If there is an excess hormone then the fibroids may increase in size. But, if there is less hormonal circulation then there is a chance of shrinkage of the fibroids. Fibroids are most commonly seen during reproductive age and might shrink after menopause due to fewer hormones in the body. With severe symptoms, doctors might prescribe medications to relieve the symptoms. Fibroids can also be managed by lifestyle change, healthy eating, and workout regime.

Workout to shrink Fibroids

Yoga

Yoga will not only help you remain active but will also regulate your adrenaline and stress levels. Stretching poses in yoga help to relieve menstrual pain. Bending down asanas helps to make the uterine wall healthy and prevents the growth of fibroids on the uterine wall. Performing yoga regularly helps to reduce the excess menstrual flow. Try to perform the following asanas :

• supta virasan / Reclining hero pose
• setu bandh asan / Bridge Pose
• supta baddha konasan / Bound Angle Pose
• kapalbhati breathing
• Bhadrasan / Throne pose
• Paschmimottanasan / Seated Forward Bend
• Hastapadangushtasana
• Dhanurvakrasana / Bow pose
• Shalabhasana / Locust Pose

Cardio Workout

The cardio workout will not directly help to shrink the fibroids but helps to regularise the hormones. You can indulge in a 30 to 45 minutes walk, swimming, cycling, or jogging. Cardio workouts help to relieve symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation, lower back pain, as well as bloating.

Uterine Fibroid Diet Plan ( Indian chart, Diet Tips, and Food List )

Diet tips to control fibroids and their symptoms

Here are a few diet tips that will help you manage the pain and your symptoms.

• Include low-GI foods

Low GI foods help to manage insulin resistance, PCOS, balance hormones, and prevent obesity. Include foods like whole grains, pulses, dals, whole fruits, and vegetables.

• Include lots of salads in the diet

Salads are high in fiber. Fiber helps to relieve constipation, reduce obesity, as well as to prevent fibroid growth. At least 20 % of your diet should include salads.

• Consume a Balanced PH diet

Too acidic pH in the body leads to hormonal imbalance. The body’s pH should not drop too low as it can be dangerous. Include alkaline foods like fruits, nuts, legumes, and vegetables. Alkaline foods help to shrink the fibroid size. You can also consume alkaline water to help shrink the fibroids.

• Include antioxidant-rich foods

Antioxidant-rich foods help to reduce the free radicals in the body. It helps to shrink the fibroid, and increase immunity. Include foods like colorful fruits and vegetables, seeds, nuts, green tea, and spices. List of antioxidant-rich foods.

• Avoid allergy-causing foods

Allergy-causing foods like eggs, peanuts, fish, nuts, or soy can trigger allergic reactions in the body. These allergic reactions might trigger fibroid formation.

• Detox your body regularly

Detoxing your body regularly helps to regularize the hormones. It helps to manage the menstrual blood flow, reduce pain as well as to manage PMS. It also helps to manage PCOS, reduce obesity and solve GI issues. Consume fluids throughout the day that will flush out all the toxins from the body. Include green tea, fruit juices, vegetable juices, buttermilk, and infused water.

• De-stress

Stress leads to hormonal imbalance and triggers fibroid growth. It can also influence the number of fibroids and their size. There is an increase in fatty acids level when the body is stressed, leading to fibroids. Consume antioxidant-rich organic foods, drink lots of water, and avoid packaged foods.

Uterine Fibroid Diet Plan Foods to Avoid 

• Reduce High Glycaemic Index Foods

High glycaemic index foods create an environment favorable for the fibroids to grow. It also leads to hormonal imbalance, increases menstrual flow, and worsens the PMS. Avoid refined flour, packaged foods, sugar, desserts, and fried foods.

• Avoid Red Meat

Red meat is high in saturated fats. It triggers the formation of fibroids. Red meat leads to weight gain, metabolic complications, and hormonal imbalance. Avoid red meat as much as possible. Instead consume lean meat, poultry, or white meat.

• Avoid Alcohol & Smoking

Alcohol consumption leads to metabolic disruption. It leads to hormonal imbalance, irregular periods, severe PMS, and favors fibroid growth.

• Foods that increase Estrogen Levels

Foods like flaxseeds, sesame seeds, soybeans, garlic, berries, and cabbage increase estrogen levels in our bodies. Although healthy, these foods should be restricted and must be consumed in small quantities only. If the fibroid’s size is big and is really causing a lot of trouble, these foods are best avoided around your cycles.  As alternatives consume fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber as well as water content for balance and weight loss.

Uterine Fibroid Diet Plan ( Indian chart )

Here is a sample Indian diet plan for Uterine Fibroids. This diet is rich in fiber, anti-oxidant, and has a balanced amount of macros. A Mediterranean diet approach not only helps in relieving the symptoms but also helps in reducing the size or shrinking the fibroids in the long run.

Uterine fibroid diet plan

Empty stomach: Green juice (Spinach, kale, bottle-gourd, mint, coriander, ginger)

Breakfast: 1 cup Sevaiya Upma or 1 Missi roti with curd or 1 cup Daliya with milk

Mid-morning: 1 seasonal, (Preferably bright-colored) fruit (100- 150 gms)

Lunch: 1 cup Salad + 2 Chapati + 1 cup Green vegetable + 1 cup Sprouts or dal + 1 cup low fat curd

Post Lunch: 1 glass of mint and coriander buttermilk

Snacks: 1 cup Green tea + ½ cup Soaked nuts (Almonds, walnuts, dates, black raisins, dried fig, apricot)

Dinner: 1 cup Salad + 1 Millet Roti or 2 Chapati + 1 cup Vegetable + 1 cup Curd

Bedtime: 1 cup Milk with nutmeg powder

End note:

Fibroids are the natural growths that can occur at any age while the female is menstruating.  It merely depends on the availability of excess hormones. Hormonal balance not only helps prevent fibroid formation but with time it can also help to shrink the fibroids. A lifestyle modification, clean eating, regular workout, as well as keeping the mind calm will help you to conquer these fibroids.