{"id":1293,"date":"2023-08-07T12:06:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-07T12:06:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/jaime-a-mercado-md\/?p=1293"},"modified":"2026-02-09T22:19:38","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T22:19:38","slug":"diet-for-fibroids-which-foods-to-eat-and-avoid-for-naturally-shrinking-fibroids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/blog\/diet-for-fibroids-which-foods-to-eat-and-avoid-for-naturally-shrinking-fibroids\/","title":{"rendered":"Diet for Fibroids: Which Foods to Eat and Avoid for Naturally Shrinking Fibroids?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fibroids are something you might not be able to prevent, but there may be a diet with fibroids, which, when coupled with exercise and other lifestyle changes, might make them more manageable.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, every <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/jaime-a-mercado-md\/gynecologist-plantation-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">gynecologist in Plantation, Florida<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, will tell you that this would only be the first step in your treatment. And to explore your treatment options, you can always call the experts at <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/jaime-a-mercado-md\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broward Complete OBGYN Center<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And in this article, we\u2019ll get more into the fibroid diet and see whether you can help fibroids shrink naturally with some healthy lifestyle changes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>About Fibroids<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before getting into the fibroids diet, we should talk about fibroids first. These are abnormal growths developing in the uterus, also called leiomyomas and myomas. They aren\u2019t life-threatening but may lead to uncomfortable health problems and complications.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These growths usually form on the uterus wall and may be as tiny as a seed, but in rare cases, they may reach the size of a tennis ball. There may only be one fibroid in some cases, while in others, there can be several.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Currently, experts don\u2019t really know what causes them, but being obese or overweight can increase the associated risk, as does not get enough nutrients.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expert sources state that around 80% of women will have fibroids in their lifetime. They may cause the following complications and symptoms:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anemia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constipation<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavy menstrual bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fertility problems<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Miscarriages<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, it\u2019s important to note that not all women with fibroids have symptoms, and in most cases, there\u2019s no treatment required for them. On the other hand, doctors might recommend waiting and watching the growths to see whether they go away or start growing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, about the diet for fibroids. While foods can\u2019t directly prevent or treat the formation of these growths, eating the right foods and exercising can significantly reduce your risk. A good diet can help balance the hormones that induce the growth of fibroids. There are specific foods that may also help ease some of your symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1295\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/jaime-a-mercado-md\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids.jpg\" alt=\"Gynecology Uterus Reproductive Female Anatomy. Medical Doctor Visit\" width=\"1000\" height=\"527\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids-200x105.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids-400x211.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids-600x316.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids-800x422.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/About-Fibroids.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>Lifestyle Changes, Fibroids, and Diet<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As hinted above, several changes you can make may reduce your risk of developing these uterine growths.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Drinking Less Alcohol<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any type of alcohol consumption may increase your risk of developing fibroids. This is because alcohol will hamper your hormone levels and raise the levels of those compounds that are essential for fibroid growth. Furthermore, alcohol may also trigger inflammation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to a study, even drinking more than one beer a day can increase fibroid risk in women by around 50%.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Follow A Mediterranean Diet<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cooked vegetables, fish, legumes, and fresh fruit on your plate is never a bad idea. Research suggests that a Mediterranean diet may help you lower your fibroid risk. On the other hand, consuming larger amounts of fatty red meat can actually increase your risk of developing uterine growths.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Get In Vitamin D<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to research, Vitamin D can help reduce the risk of fibroid development by around 32%. While the body can produce this compound on its own when exposed to sunlight, if you live in cooler climates or have darker skin, you may experience vitamin D deficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortunately, there are some supplements that are able to raise your vitamin D levels, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortified cereals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Egg yolks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortified dairy, milk, and cheese<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fortified orange juice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cod liver oil<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tuna, mackerel, and salmon<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Keep Your Blood Pressure In Check<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Data shows that a concerningly high number of women with fibroids also have hypertension. And while more research is required to establish a concrete link between high blood pressure and fibroid development, you are always doing yourself a favor if you are actively looking for ways to lower your blood pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On that note, the following strategies may help:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Monitor your blood pressure daily<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid added salt and limit processed foods high in sodium<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limit or avoid alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep your weight in check<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Partake in regular exercise<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increase your potassium intake<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Quit tobacco and avoid secondhand smoke<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Take your prescribed blood pressure medication as instructed<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visit your doctor for checkups regularly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Balance Out Estrogen\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While estrogen is a crucial hormone in female reproductive health, too much of it may increase your fibroid risks. Apart from following a fibroid diet, experts may also recommend ways to lower your estrogen levels as a part of treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, you may lower estrogen in the following ways as well:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Losing weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding chemicals that disrupt your hormones (like plastics, dyes, paints, pesticides, fertilizers, and more)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Foods To Eat When Dealing With Fibroids<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though you can\u2019t literally eat foods to shrink fibroids, a balanced diet may help you ease your symptoms. A good fibroids diet, on the other hand, may even help you slow down the growth of fibroids in some cases.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Fiber<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foods rich in fiber can help with losing weight and balancing your hormones. They can also keep blood sugar in check, and as such, they may help slow down or may help prevent the growth of fibroids.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To get the most out of fiber, consider eating the following foods:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oats<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw and cooked vegetables<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Raw, dried, and cooked fruit<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whole grain pasta and bread<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lentils\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Barley<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cruciferous vegetables<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Dairy<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Include dairy items like yogurt and full-fat cheese in your eating regimen. Dairy is abundant in calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium, which are minerals that can potentially prevent fibroids and impede their growth. Additionally, fortified milk is a good source of vitamin D.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Potassium<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potassium is crucial for counteracting the impact of salt and maintaining balanced blood pressure. Incorporate these potassium-rich foods into your daily diet:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tomatoes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bananas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cantaloupe<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dates<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lentils<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tomatoes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avocado<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collard greens<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oat bran<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potatoes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Citrus fruits<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-1296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/jaime-a-mercado-md\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium.jpg\" alt=\"Potassium Food Sources as Dried Apricots, Raisins, Avocado, Cocoa, Bean, Pumpkin Seeds, Dried Banana, Potatoes, Tomatoes, Spinach, Mushrooms, Fresh Banana, Hazelnuts, Almonds\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/91\/2023\/08\/Potassium.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>Green Tea<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Green tea is rich in antioxidants. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3742155\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The results of a study<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have found that one antioxidant in particular (epigallocatechin gallate) may help slow down fibroid growth, as they can reduce estrogen and inflammation levels. Green tea may also help with easing the symptoms of heavy menstrual bleeding.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Fibroid Diet: Foods To Avoid<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><b>Foods That Increase Estrogen<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Certain food items contain natural compounds known as phytoestrogens that mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. On the other hand, some foods either contain added hormones or stimulate the body to produce more estrogen.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While consuming small to moderate amounts of these foods may offer protective benefits, consuming them in excessive quantities can have adverse effects. It is advisable to restrict or avoid the following foods:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tofu<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soy milk<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Soybeans<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Red meat that includes added hormones<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flax seed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Sugar<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foods filled with sugar and simple carbs may worsen or trigger fibroids. These foods typically spike blood sugar levels, causing the body to produce insulin. Too much insulin in the body can lead to weight gain and may also affect fibroid growth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, make an effort to avoid added sugars and refined carbs such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maltose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dextrose<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Table sugar<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Table sugar<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Corn syrup<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High fructose corn syrup<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flour, pasta, rice, and white bread,<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sugary drinks and soda<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fruit juice<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crackers<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Potato chips<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Packaged energy bars\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>In Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a balanced diet can\u2019t treat fibroids, it can certainly lower the risk of developing them and may help keep them at bay. If you\u2019d like to learn more about these fibroid diets, consider talking to an expert. More specifically, feel free to schedule an appointment with our compassionate staff, who will be able to give you the guidance needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Fibroids are something you might not be able to prevent, but there may be a diet with fibroids, which, when<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1294,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[103],"tags":[104,108,105,106,107],"class_list":["post-1293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diet-for-fibroids","tag-diet-for-fibroids","tag-fibroid-diet","tag-fibroid-shrink-naturally","tag-fibroids-diet","tag-foods-to-shrink-fibroids"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1293","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1293"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1293\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1293"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1293"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/broward-complete-obgyn-wellness-center\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1293"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}