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An education piece by Naturalist

What to eat (and avoid) with endometriosis: A practical nutrition guide

Discover the best foods to eat (and which to avoid) for endometriosis. This practical guide explains how nutrition can reduce pain, support hormones, and ease inflammation, naturally.

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Why food matters when living with endometriosis

When you’re navigating endometriosis, it’s easy to feel like your body is working against you. But the truth is, your body is doing its best to manage inflammation, hormone fluctuations, and pain and the food you eat can support that process in powerful ways.


Nutrition won’t cure endometriosis, but it can reduce symptoms, ease inflammation, and improve your energy, mood, and digestion. This is especially important for women who experience bloating, fatigue, painful periods, or hormonal acne common with endo.


If you’re unsure where to begin, this guide breaks it down with practical, gentle steps.


Best foods for endometriosis support

These foods help reduce inflammation, support healthy hormone balance, and nourish your gut:

  • Leafy greens: Kale, spinach, rocket, and silverbeet provide magnesium and folate both important for hormonal health.

  • Cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts contain compounds that help the liver process and clear excess estrogen.

  • Berries and colourful vegetables: These are packed with antioxidants that reduce oxidative stress and support immune function.

  • Flaxseeds and chia seeds: Rich in omega-3s and fiber, they support bowel health and estrogen clearance.

  • Wild-caught fish or walnuts: Provide anti-inflammatory omega-3s to help reduce pelvic pain.

  • Whole grains: Brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, and oats give you fiber and B vitamins to support energy and hormone balance.

  • Herbal teas: Ginger, chamomile, and peppermint support digestion, reduce cramps, and calm the nervous system.

Tip: Build your meals around whole foods and add herbs or spices like turmeric and cinnamon for extra inflammation-fighting power.


Foods to reduce or avoid when it comes to endometriosis

Certain foods can aggravate endometriosis symptoms by promoting inflammation, disrupting hormones, or irritating the gut:

  • Highly processed foods: Packaged snacks, fast food, and additives can trigger inflammation.

  • Refined sugar: Can worsen hormone imbalances and cause blood sugar spikes and crashes.

  • Alcohol: Especially wine, which can increase estrogen and disrupt liver function.

  • Dairy (for some people): A common trigger for bloating or skin flare-ups — though this varies per person.

  • Red meat: Linked to higher inflammatory markers in some studies related to endometriosis.

  • Caffeine (in excess): May contribute to anxiety, poor sleep, and hormone disruption.

You don’t need to be perfect or follow a restrictive diet it's about tuning into what makes you feel good and reducing known triggers at a pace that feels sustainable.


A holistic approach to food

Food is more than fuel it’s information for your body. The goal isn’t to follow strict rules but to support your body’s healing systems.


In clinic, I’ve seen firsthand how small, consistent dietary shifts can lead to less pain, clearer skin, more regular cycles, and better energy.

Everyone’s body is different so if you feel overwhelmed, just start with one or two changes and build from there.


Keep exploring our other blogs

Download your free endometriosis guide

Looking for more natural strategies?
Grab your free guide and get practical tools to reduce pain, balance hormones, and feel more in control of your body again.

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If you are ready to make change, I want to work with you.

Reading blogs is a great start, but real change happens when you have a plan that’s tailored to you. If you’re ready to move from research into action, I’d love to support you. Book a free discovery call and let’s explore how we can work together on your health journey.

Read more

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What to eat (and avoid) with endometriosis: A practical nutrition guide

Discover the best foods to eat (and which to avoid) for endometriosis. This practical guide explains how nutrition can reduce pain, support hormones, and ease inflammation, naturally.

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Book an online naturopathic consult for women’s hormonal health with Naturalist NZ

Two ways to work with me

Everyone’s health journey is different. Some people need focused guidance on a specific issue, while others need deeper, ongoing support to address complex or long-standing symptoms.

Here are the two ways you can work with me.

Learn more here

  • Best for: Targeted concerns, short-term guidance, or those who want support around a specific issue.

    Standard naturopathic consultations are designed to provide individualised advice, education, and recommendations based on your symptoms, history, and goals.

     

    This option may include:

    • One-off or occasional consultations

    • Nutrition, lifestyle, herbal, and supplement guidance

    • Review of existing blood work or test results

    • Practical strategies you can implement independently

     

    This approach works well if:

    • Your symptoms are mild to moderate

    • You’re looking for direction rather than ongoing support

    • You prefer to manage implementation on your own between sessions

     

    Standard support offers flexibility and professional guidance, but progress depends largely on how consistently recommendations are applied and followed up.

  • Best for: Women with endometriosis, PCOS or complex hormonal symptoms who want clarity, structure, and ongoing guidance rather than trial-and-error.

    The Thrive programs are comprehensive, multi-phase support pathways designed to address the root drivers of symptoms using functional testing, personalised treatment plans, and consistent 1:1 care.

    Rather than isolated appointments, Thrive provides an integrated framework where testing, interpretation, treatment, and support are connected and adjusted as your body responds.

     

    Inside Thrive, you receive:

    • Advanced functional testing and interpretation

    • A personalised, phased treatment plan

    • Ongoing 1:1 practitioner support

    • Access to the Thrive hub, resources, and protocols

    • Structured guidance so you know what to focus on at each stage

     

    The program begins with an initial 1–2 month stabilisation and clarity phase, where we identify what’s driving your symptoms and support the systems under the most strain. From there, you can choose to continue into the full program for deeper treatment and long-term support.

    This approach is ideal if:

    • You’ve tried many things and still feel stuck

    • Your symptoms are complex, cyclical, or worsening

    • You want to stop guessing and be guided step-by-step

    • You value ongoing support, accountability, and adjustment

     

    Thrive is designed to take the pressure off you to figure everything out alone. It’s structured, personalised care that adapts to your body not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

    Learn more about Thrive

  • If you’re unsure which level of support best suits your needs, the first step is a Discovery Call.

    This is a supportive conversation where we explore what’s been going on, what you’ve tried, and whether standard support or a Thrive program is the most appropriate next step.

    Book a Discovery call

  • Best for: Targeted concerns, short-term guidance, or those who want support around a specific issue.

    Standard naturopathic consultations are designed to provide individualised advice, education, and recommendations based on your symptoms, history, and goals.

     

    This option may include:

    • One-off or occasional consultations

    • Nutrition, lifestyle, herbal, and supplement guidance

    • Review of existing blood work or test results

    • Practical strategies you can implement independently

     

    This approach works well if:

    • Your symptoms are mild to moderate

    • You’re looking for direction rather than ongoing support

    • You prefer to manage implementation on your own between sessions

     

    Standard support offers flexibility and professional guidance, but progress depends largely on how consistently recommendations are applied and followed up.

  • Best for: Women with endometriosis, PCOS or complex hormonal symptoms who want clarity, structure, and ongoing guidance rather than trial-and-error.

    The Thrive programs are comprehensive, multi-phase support pathways designed to address the root drivers of symptoms using functional testing, personalised treatment plans, and consistent 1:1 care.

    Rather than isolated appointments, Thrive provides an integrated framework where testing, interpretation, treatment, and support are connected and adjusted as your body responds.

     

    Inside Thrive, you receive:

    • Advanced functional testing and interpretation

    • A personalised, phased treatment plan

    • Ongoing 1:1 practitioner support

    • Access to the Thrive hub, resources, and protocols

    • Structured guidance so you know what to focus on at each stage

     

    The program begins with an initial 1–2 month stabilisation and clarity phase, where we identify what’s driving your symptoms and support the systems under the most strain. From there, you can choose to continue into the full program for deeper treatment and long-term support.

    This approach is ideal if:

    • You’ve tried many things and still feel stuck

    • Your symptoms are complex, cyclical, or worsening

    • You want to stop guessing and be guided step-by-step

    • You value ongoing support, accountability, and adjustment

     

    Thrive is designed to take the pressure off you to figure everything out alone. It’s structured, personalised care that adapts to your body not a one-size-fits-all protocol.

    Learn more about Thrive

  • If you’re unsure which level of support best suits your needs, the first step is a Discovery Call.

    This is a supportive conversation where we explore what’s been going on, what you’ve tried, and whether standard support or a Thrive program is the most appropriate next step.

    Book a Discovery call

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