Phytoestrogens & HRT Cake Recipe

Phytoestrogens are plant compounds that are structurally similar to oestrogen. Its thought that when eaten, they can have the same effect as oestrogen on our bodies. Phytoestrogens have a very similar chemical compound as human oestrogen, so when its consumed in food, phytoestrogens bind to our own oestrogen receptors, however they don't bind as effectively as our own oestrogen so the effects are weaker.

Foods that contain phytoestrogens:

• Nuts & Seeds - Flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, almonds & walnuts.

• Fruits - Apples, carrots, pomegranates, peaches, strawberries (most berries), cranberries, grapes & dries fruits like dates, prunes & apricots. .

• Vegetables - sweet potatoes, broccoli, cabbage, lentils, sprouts & mung beans.

• Soy - Soybeans, edamame beans, tofu & tempeh .

• Herbs - Red clover, garlic, liquorice root & hops.

• Drinks/ liquid - Coffee, bourbon, beer, red wine, olive oil & jasmine oil.

• Grains - Oats, barley & wheat germ.

By increasing these foods in our everyday diet could help us with symptom control during the perimenopause, so its certainly worth a try especially if you don't want to go down the medication route just yet.

Here is the recipe for the "HRT CAKE" that I make, its totally delicious, good for you as well as being

full of phytoestrogens, give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

HRT Cake

2 cups of dried fruit

1 1/2 cups of porridge oats

2 1/4 cups whole wheat flour / soya flour

3/4 cup ground flax seeds

1/2 cup chopped almonds

1/2 cup pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup sesame seeds

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon of ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

3 pieces of stem ginger chopped

1 table spoon of malt extract 1000ml of almond milk.

• Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees

• Put all your dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and mix well

• Add the stem ginger and almond milk, malt and stir well

• Leave everything soak for 30 minutes, it should now be a nice cake batter like consistency if not you can add a little more milk

• spoon in to pre greased cake tins

• Bake for 40 mins until golden brown

• Remove and cool ready to enjoy