How do you do seed cycling?

You eat flax and pumpkin seeds in the first half of your cycle, and sunflower and sesame seeds in the second half.

It helps with menstrual complaints, an irregular cycle, and hormonal acne.

Which seeds do you use for seed cycling?

Flaxseed, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.

How often does a woman get her period?

On average once every 28 days, so about 13 times a year.

Body & Mind

Seed cycling: the trend you want to try as a woman

Q: What is seed cycling?

Seed cycling is the practice of eating specific seeds to support your hormonal balance.

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Say what?! Seed cycling is the new morning ritual of the aesthetic girls, and believe me: once you know what it can do for your body, you'll want to stock up on a bag of seeds next month. Because let's be honest: how often do you not walk around with mood swings, bloated bellies, a cycle that bounces all over the place, or skin that thinks you're sixteen (but without the energy)? No idea what I'm talking about? Enter: seed cycling.

What is seed cycling anyway?

Well, I had to Google it too before I saw it pop up on my TikTok feed – listen up: Seed cycling – or in good Dutch: supporting your cycle with seeds – is a natural method to get your hormones back in balance.

By eating specific seeds at certain times in your menstrual cycle, you provide your body with the nutrients it needs the most at that moment. And no, this is not hocus pocus from the airy-fairy corner, but based on the functioning of phytoestrogens (can you pronounce that? I can't), zinc, selenium, and omegas.

How does seed cycling work exactly?

Okay, how do we do it? Your cycle roughly consists of two phases: the follicular phase (from day 1 to 14, that is, your menstruation and ovulation) and the luteal phase (day 15 until the start of your next menstruation). During these two phases, your body has different needs and thus… different seeds. Can you keep up?

In the first phase, your body prepares for ovulation and produces more estrogen; you often feel more energetic, creative, and social.
In the second phase, your estrogen actually drops and progesterone rises to prepare your body for a possible pregnancy; you may feel more emotional, tired, and a bit bloated. Are you getting angry at your partner more quickly or irritated with your colleagues? Then you're probably in your second phase.

Which seeds do you eat when?

Follicular phase (day 1-14) You eat every day:
– 1 tablespoon of flaxseed
– 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds

Luteal phase (day 15-28) You eat every day:
– 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds
– 1 tablespoon of sunflower seeds

Mix them into your smoothie, oatmeal, or over your salad. It's not rocket science, so as long as you stick to it every day.

Why you want to start seed cycling (and what good it does)

Okay, seriously: who doesn't want to suffer less from mood swings, hormonal pimples, and a cycle that does what it should do? Exactly. Seed cycling is like a mini wellness retreat for your hormones.

The result? You're more regular with your period, less PMS drama, glowy skin: less trouble with acne and (bonus!) peace of mind. Everything your body needs in each phase of your cycle, right from your kitchen cupboard – how convenient. Note: it's not a quick fix. It can take one to three months before you notice a difference, but your body will thank you.

Why do you use which seeds?

Flaxseed → contains phytoestrogens that balance estrogen AND is high in omega-3
Pumpkin seeds → packed with zinc, good for estrogen production and your skin
Sesame seeds → rich in lignans that eliminate excess estrogen
Sunflower seeds → contain selenium and vitamin E, great for your progesterone

And bonus: they are all good for your hair, skin, and nails too. Multitasking superfoods, indeed. Here are many more tips to boost your beauty.

Where do you get those seeds?

Very simple: at the supermarket or (even better) your local organic store. Store them in a glass jar in the fridge and preferably grind them (for example, with a coffee grinder), so your body absorbs the nutrients better.

How to stick with it (without fuss)

As with everything that is good for you, the same applies here: only if you stick with it will you see results (often with this trend only after 3 months). So make it easy for yourself. Buy your seeds in bulk and store them (ground) in a jar (yep, that saves a lot of hassle in the morning). Link your daily spoonful of seeds to a fixed ritual – your morning coffee, breakfast, or shake.

Or: prep it on the weekend, and immediately make a batch of power balls with your seed combo. That way, you don't have to think during the week about how to get those 2 tablespoons of seeds in again. Happy hormones, happy you.

Here are 3 easy ways to prepare your seeds

– Smoothie topper – Just a tablespoon of your seed duo over your favorite healthy smoothie bowl. Here's a delicious recipe for a smoothie bowl.
– Oatmeal upgrade – Add the seeds to your oatmeal with a spoon of nut butter.
– Protein shake – Blend seeds into powder and mix into your shake.
– Power balls – Mix with dates, oatmeal, and coconut, roll into balls, and done. Here you can see more recipes for delicious power balls.