The dirty truth about your kitchen and your hormones (+ simple swaps that help)!

Let me guess - you’re doing “all the right things.” Eating more green leafy veggies, cutting back on sugar (well… trying), getting 7+ hours of sleep, drinking water like it’s your side hustle - and yet your hormones still feel like they’re stuck on a rollercoaster from hell. Mood swings, acne, bloating, painful periods... you name it.

Here's the thing: what if the problem isn’t just what you’re putting in your body—but also what’s lurking around your kitchen?

Yep. Welcome to the not-so-fun world of endocrine disrupting chemicals (otherwise known as EDCs). These sneaky little hormone messer-uppers are found in everything from your frying pan to your water bottle - and they can throw your system into chaos faster than you can say “where did that huge chin spot come from?”

But don’t panic. I’m not here to make you throw out everything you own. I’m all about practical swaps that actually fit into your life, especially if you’re navigating PCOS, endo, fibroids, fertility challenges, or just trying to feel like a semi-functional human again. Let's dive in.

1. Ditch the Non-Stick Drama

Most non-stick pans and cooking utensils are coated with PFCs (Perfluorinated or "forever" Chemicals) - which can mess with your hormones and are even linked to cancer. Heat them up, and things get even worse.

Simple swap:✨ Switch to cast iron, stainless steel, ceramic, or enamel. They're non-toxic, durable, and hormone-friendly.🛒 UK brands: Judge Vista, ProCook, Le Creuset (pricey but worth it and can last a lifetime with proper care!)

2. Plastic Tupperware = Hormonal Horror Show

Plastics like Tupperware often contain BPA and phthalates, which can mimic oestrogen and throw your hormones into chaos. Heating plastic? That’s a hard no—it makes the chemicals leach out even faster.

Simple swap:✨ Use glass containers or silicone bags (like Stasher or Oxo) for leftovers and batch cooking. 🛒 Amazon has loads of affordable glass options as well as Aldi and B&M.

3. Tap Water Isn’t as Innocent as It Looks

Sure, it’s legal to drink. But UK tap water can still contain traces of hormone residue from medications, pesticides, chlorine, fluoride, and even heavy metals like lead and arsenic. Lovely.

Simple swap:✨ Filter it. Even a basic Brita is better than nothing. If you want to go full detox queen, try ZeroWater or Berkey.💡 Also: ditch plastic water bottles and go for stainless steel like Chilly’s to avoid even more EDC exposure.

4. Toxic Cleaning Products? Hard Pass

Bleach, ammonia, synthetic fragrance—so many conventional cleaning products are basically chemical soup. And many of those ingredients can mess with your endocrine system (not to mention your lungs).

Simple swap:✨ Go DIY with vinegar and bicarb, or choose non-toxic UK brands like:🧼 Purdy & Figg🧼 Miniml (budget-friendly and refillable)

5. Dishwasher Tablets: The Silent Offender

They might leave your plates sparkling, but most conventional dishwasher tablets contain phosphates, chlorine, and fragrance—all of which can leave behind residues that end up in your food.

Simple swap:✨ Switch to hormone-safe, eco-friendly brands like:

✔ Ecover Zero

✔ Dip Dishwasher Sheets

✔ Smol

✔ Greenscents Powder

6. Go Organic (Where It Matters Most)

I get it—buying all organic isn’t cheap. But that’s where the Dirty Dozen vs Clean 15 list saves the day. It’s based on how heavily crops are sprayed with pesticides (many of which are EDC's).

Simple swap:✨ Prioritise organic for the Dirty Dozen (like strawberries, spinach, apples).✨ You’re good with non-organic for the Clean 15 (like avocados, onions, sweetcorn).

🍓 Handy UK tip: Try Riverford, Abel & Cole, or Oddbox for organic deliveries.

7. Your Chopping Board Might Be a Microplastic Minefield

Those old plastic chopping boards? Every slice and dice sheds microplastics, which you then… eat. Yum.

Simple swap:✨ Go for wooden or bamboo boards instead. They’re safer, last longer, and don’t feed you plastic dust.

🧘‍♀️ Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection

Look—I’m not saying you need to live in a yurt, wear hemp everything, and churn your own butter. These swaps? They’re doable. And they stack up over time, reducing the load your hormones are trying to deal with on the daily.

Because here’s the truth: your hormones don’t need you to be perfect. They just need you to pay attention.

So start with one thing—ditch the Tupperware, upgrade your cleaning spray, or switch out your pan. Your hormones (and your future self) will thank you.

💬 Want More Practical, No-BS Hormone Tips?

This is exactly the kind of stuff I help my clients with every day. If you’re done being ruled by your hormones and ready to feel like yourself again—let’s talk.

💌 Book a free discovery call with me here.

📲 Follow me on Instagram @hayleydownnutrition for real talk, hormone-friendly recipes & feel-good inspo on all things women’s health.

You deserve to feel good—all month long. Let’s make it happen 💪