How Much Protein Should Women Have

How Much Protein Should Women Have

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Brighten Lifestyle, Food, Gut-Hormone Connection, Weight Loss, What to Eat Leave a Comment

From muscle building and metabolism to hormonal balance and disease prevention, protein is an indispensable nutrient for women’s health. Women of all ages need adequate protein for energy, focus, appetite control, and tissue repair. Across different life stages like pregnancy and menopause, protein becomes even more critical, supporting fetal development, maintaining muscle tissue and bone density, and managing moods, hormonal …

breakfast with 30 grams of protein

Breakfast with 30 grams of Protein for Hormone Balance

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Brighten Lifestyle, Food, Weight Loss, What to Eat Leave a Comment

Being intentional about your protein intake is a crucial step in optimizing hormones, balancing blood sugar, creating your ideal body composition, and improving your longevity. Beginning the day by eating a breakfast with 30 grams of protein sets the tone for better energy, focus, and overall hormonal balance for the remainder of the day. But what I hear often from …

Endo belly

Endo Belly: Causes and Treatments for Endometriosis Bloating

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Cramps, Endometriosis, Estrogen Dominance, Menstrual Cycle, Period, Period Problems, What to Eat Leave a Comment

Endo belly refers to the severe abdominal distention or bloating that occurs in patients with endometriosis. It can not only take a significant physical toll but also has psychological impacts. Nutrition, lifestyle, and, in some instances, medications can help with the management of symptoms. Endometriosis is a common condition affecting about 10% of women and can present as pelvic pain, …

diet for perimenopause

What Diet Is Best During Perimenopause

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Food, Perimenopause/ Menopause, What to Eat Leave a Comment

Perimenopause, the time in life when a woman or person with ovaries begins to transition away from reproductive years to menopause, is not talked about enough. So many women come to me confused about their changing bodies—periods are suddenly irregular, the weight creeps up, and their mood is all over the place. They are entirely unaware that these are typical …

sulforaphane supplement benefits

Sulforaphane Benefits for Hormone Balance and Health

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Herbs & Supplements, What to Eat Leave a Comment

Every time I speak to patients about nutrition for hormone balance, I remind them how important it is to include a variety of nutrients in their diet for optimal health. So many factors contribute to hormone balance and overall health, and no one food or supplement will be a “magic bullet.” But one nutrient has so many health benefits for …

Is Low-Carb Good for Women’s Hormones?

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Food, What to Eat Leave a Comment

There’s a lot of debate surrounding low-carb diets and whether they are helpful or harmful. As low-carb diets have become increasingly popular, it’s an important question to ask.  Low-carb diets are often touted as a tool to kick start weight loss or balance blood sugar. It’s true that some people benefit from restricting carbs, but low-carb diets aren’t always the …

Keto for Women: The Risks, Benefits, and How It Impacts Hormones

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Balancing Your Hormones, Food, Perimenopause/ Menopause, Thyroid, What to Eat Leave a Comment

Questions about the keto diet fill my inbox and DMs daily, so it’s time to get the facts straight. The ketogenic (keto) diet is a high-fat, very-low-carb diet that shifts the body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where the body uses fat instead of carbs for energy. If you follow the research, the health benefits of keto are pretty …

Intermittent Fasting For Women 

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: Food, PCOS, What to Eat Leave a Comment

Intermittent fasting (IF) for women is complicated. There is a lot of positive research behind intermittent fasting, so it’s hard not to feel tempted to jump right in after hearing so many fasting success stories. But is it safe and effective for everyone? My goal with this article is to present the facts behind intermittent fasting— the good and the …

coronavirus quarantine

How to Prepare for Quarantine: A Mama Doctor’s Guide

Dr. Jolene BrightenPublished: What to Eat Leave a Comment

In this article I’m going to walk you through how to prepare for quarantine and what my family did to prepare. And I’ve got a 3 day meal plan for you along with some recipes to support. Plus, you’ll find a shopping list below with additional items to help you prepare. My family and were placed on quarantine as of …