Nutrition
Eating for your cycle
As we move through life, we come to realise there is much more to a monthly cycle than we were led to believe. One of those factors is cyclical living, and diet during your cycle.
Femmze life
Growing up we are taught what is perceived as “The Essentials” for managing our periods – a brief foray into how to use sanitary products, and that you should expect it monthly. As we move through life, we come to realise there is much more to a monthly cycle than we were led to believe. One of those factors is cyclical living, and diet during your cycle.
Diet plays an important role in how our bodies function, so it only makes sense that during this time, we should be nourishing ourselves with appropriate meals. We spoke with friend of FEMMZE, Anthia Koullouros – Naturopath, Herbalist, Apothecarius and Author of I am Food – Eating Your Way To Health. Below, Anthia shares some of her favourite recipes to nourish yourself during your cycle.
“Diet plays an important role in how our bodies function, so it only makes sense that during this time, we should be nourishing ourselves with appropriate meals.”
NOURISHING CHICKEN & LEMON SOUP
This is one of my all-time favourite foods. This is a traditional Cypriot soup that is made for festive days, birthdays, family arrivals or when feeling unwell. It represents nourishment. It is usually made from boiling a whole chicken (use a boiler hen for real chicken flavour and nutritional density). The rice is not compulsory and is just as delicious without it. It is similar to a Chinese congee.
Rich in protein, gluten free and easy on digestion, this is the perfect premenstrual and menstruating soup. It also encourages the growth of healthy intestinal microbiota, which support the gut brain axis, reduce inflammation and keep immunity strong.
ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
1.5kg chicken
1⁄4 tsp of natural salt 1 lemon halved
3.5 litres of water
3/4 cup of rice
3 eggs
1/2 cup of lemon juice
METHOD
Wash chicken inside the cavity and outside. Rub half a lemon over the chicken and place in a large pot. Add the water and the other half of the lemon juice and salt. Bring to the boil on medium heat and then reduce to low heat and simmer until cooked over a two-hour period. Skim surface scum from water. Remove whole chicken and leave pot simmering with broth. Place chicken on a plate and cover in baking paper and foil and set aside. The boiled chicken can also be roasted by basting in butter or duck fat, more salt and cooked in the oven at 120 ̊C. Add the rice to the simmering broth and cook. In the meantime, beat whole eggs and lemon juice with a beater until fluffy and white. This next part of the recipe is very important to prevent the egg from curdling. Ladle one spoon at a time of rice soup into beaten egg and lemon mixture while you keep beating. Add enough until the bowl is full. Then add the mixture with egg and lemon back into the soup pot. Stir through and switch off heat. Serve with extra lemon juice, salt, and cracked pepper.
Share this post
COCONUT BALLS
These delightful morsels of goodness curb premenstrual sugar cravings and are good for you! Rich in protein and easy to digest.
ORGANIC INGREDIENTS
9 egg whites (keep the egg yolks to make a mayonnaise or to put into an omelette)
3 tbsp of coconut sugar or honey
1⁄4 tsp of vanilla bean powder
Enough desiccated coconut to bind the mixture so you can turn them into balls
METHOD
Beat egg whites, vanilla, and sugar until fluffy and fold in enough desiccated coconut to bind. Roll into balls and bake until golden brown at 120 ̊C. For Chocolate Coconut Balls: Add 4 tbsp of raw cocoa powder to mix. Add 2 tsp of orange zest for added citrus zing!
Learn more about clean eating through her book, I am Food – Eating Your Way To Health. Where she explains how to 'unscramble the scramble' and transition from eating processed foods to eating the food that's best for your body, soul, and the planet. Anthia Koullouros is a Naturopath, Herbalist Apothecarius. Her naturopathic Clinic, Apothecary, Tea & Lifestyle Store is located in Paddington at 1A Glenmore Road Paddington NSW 2021.
Follow Anthia @anthia.koullouros.naturopath
← Back to the blog
