Every Parsi woman knows walking along Marine Drive’s sea-face or any dariyo (sea), is more than just a daily ritual – it’s a sacred pause in a busy life. The crisp sea breeze, the rhythmic crash of waves, and the chatter of familiar faces bring a sense of calm and connection. But have you ever wondered how our everyday habits, food choices, and stress levels impact our hormones? This Women’s Day, let’s step into our power!

From balancing moods and metabolism to keeping our skin radiant, hormones are the silent conductors of our well-being. And guess what? Our age-old Parsi traditions already hold the secrets to ‘hormone-harmony’!

Parsi Kitchen Superfoods For Superwomen

Who needs kale (ugh!) and quinoa when we have sagan-na-eeda, dry fruits, and dairy done right? While the world is just catching up on ‘superfoods,’ Parsi grandmothers have been quietly feeding us hormone-balancing treasures for generations!

Aapra favourite Eeda (Eggs) – The Ultimate Hormone Hero: What’s a Parsi home without ‘Eedu’? Eggs are a hormone powerhouse, packed with B vitamins, choline, and healthy fats that keep our brain sharp, metabolism fast, and mood stable. Choline, found in egg yolks, helps regulate estrogen and supports fertility! So how do we supercharge the unassuming eedu? First off, keep the Tamota/Bheeda/Papeta-per-Eeda going, but switch to ghee (instead of oil) for better digestion and hormone balance. Also, add greens and paneer for an iron and protein boost!

The Magic of Dry Fruits And Nuts – The Ultimate ‘Chagar’ (Snacks): Every Parsi home has that one stash of badaam, pista, akhrot, and kaju – in addition to proving as a great snack these build strong bones and balance hormones. These tiny wonders are rich in omega-3s and antioxidants, which calm inflammation and regulate progesterone and estrogen. So, how do you Snack Smart? Start your day with soaked almonds (better digestion, better skin!). Add walnuts and sunflower seeds to yoghurt for a happy gut and happy hormones!

Doodh na Benefits – Dairy Done Right: Full-fat dairy, in moderation, is a Parsi superfood. It’s loaded with vitamin D, calcium, and CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid), which regulates thyroid and insulin levels. Here are two Hormone-loving dairy tips: Swap sugary milk drinks for doodh-harad (turmeric latte!) –  a natural anti-inflammatory and sleep booster; and second – choose unsweetened Greek yoghurt over flavoured dahi (more protein, less sugar)!

Seeds – Tiny But Mighty For Hormonal Balance: Parsis might not have ‘seed cycling’ in our tradition, but tal (sesame), flaxseeds, and sunflower seeds make it into some of our dishes! These gems help regulate menstrual cycles and ease menopause symptoms. Simple ways to add seeds includes: sprinkling flax and sesame over veggies or salads; mixing with chutneys; Keeping a handful of sunflower seeds handy for snacking!

Physical Exercise – Dariya-ni-ser (Walk by the sea) – The Best Free Hormone Therapy: Hormones love movement and stress relief. What better than a walk by the seaside for a dose of both? Between weight gain, PCOS, thyroid issues, and mood swings, exercise is a natural hormone fixer! Morning Walks provide the ultimate Cortisol Reset! A 30-minute walk along the sea lowers cortisol (stress hormone), balances insulin, and improves sleep! Nature therapy is real! Also, Strength-Training is underrated but necessary – women need muscles too! Muscle-strength work like magic for strong bones, stable weight, and happy hormones. Start small at home – use water bottles as weights, try bodyweight squats and lunges – just 15 minutes a day is enough to begin!

De-Stress, Sleep Well and Self-Care – The Hormone Holy Trinity: Between career, family, and social commitments, Parsi women are masters at multitasking – but often at the cost of their health. High stress = hormonal chaos! How do we fix it? First up, Sleep Like a Queen! There’s a reason grandmothers insisted on early bedtimes! Hormones repair and reset while you sleep! Golden Sleep Rules: Sleep by 10:00pm for better melatonin and growth hormone production; and No screens 30 minutes before bed – swap Instagram scrolling for a book!

Second, learn to ‘Stress Less, Laugh More’! Laughter and socialising comes innately to Parsis – turns out, it’s the best natural cortisol-lowering therapy! Two simple Stress-Busters include doing a 5-minute, deep breathing routine every morning; and Spending more time aapra Baugs or amidst greenery – nature heals more than you think!

Taking Charge of Your Health – Women’s Day and Beyond: The lovely Parsi women have always been strong, sharp, and spirited but your health deserves the same attention you give to everything and everyone else! A little Dariya-ni-ser, a plate of wholesome food, and small but smart lifestyle tweaks can garner big hormonal wins! This Women’s Day, honor your precious selves – eat better, move smarter, stress less – and thrive! Remember, strong Parsi women make strong legacies and it all starts with hormonal health! Happy Women’s Day!