Foods Making Your Fibroids Worse (and Swaps That Help)

fibroidwellness
Aug 5
3 min read

Fibroid Flare-Ups After Food? Read This.

Bloated? Crampy? Constantly asking Chat GPT “what can I eat with fibroids?” only to feel worse after eating. Sound familiar? If you regularly leave a meal feeling like your stomach’s about to pop, you’re definitely not the only one dealing with this.

Your fibroids might be part of the reason.

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that thrive off oestrogen. While lots of women are told they’re “harmless” or just “part of being a woman” 🙄, fibroids can trigger painful periods, bloating, cramping and heavy bleeding, and your diet could be making it all worse. In this post, you’ll find out:

❌ 3 common foods that could be fuelling your fibroid symptoms

✅ 3 easy swaps that could help calm the bloat, ease cramps, and take the stress out of eating.

Right, let’s get stuck in!

Firstly, What Are Fibroids? If you’re reading this, you probably already know - but just in case: Fibroids are benign tumours that grow in and/or around the uterus. They’re common (especially in Black women) and often linked to hormone imbalance, particularly excess oestrogen.

They feed off this oestrogen, and certain foods can worsen things by spiking inflammation or knocking your hormones even further off balance. That combo = bloating, heavier periods, more cramping, and just pure frustration 😤

Let’s talk culprits, and what to eat instead.

#1 - Red & Processed Meats

(Such as bacon, sausages, ham, beef)

The problem:

Red and processed meats often contain added hormones and preservatives. They’re inflammatory and can raise oestrogen levels, giving fibroids the fuel they love. Swap with: Lean chicken, lentils, chickpeas, or tofu These are great sources of protein that won’t send your oestrogen levels off the charts. Plant-based options like tempeh or black beans are also fibre-rich, which helps your body eliminate excess oestrogen.

#2 - Processed White Carbs

(White bread, white rice, white pasta)

The problem: These spike your blood sugar and mess with insulin levels, which can disrupt your hormones. Hormonal imbalance = higher risk of fibroid growth and painful symptoms like cramping and bloating.

Swap with: Quinoa, wholegrain bread, brown rice or oats These complex carbs release energy more slowly, help balance blood sugar, and support hormone regulation. Less sugar chaos = less fibroid drama.

#3 - Shop-Bought Granola

(Sounds healthy, but it's often loaded with sugar.)

The problem: Sugar = inflammation. And inflammation = worse fibroid symptoms. Plus, sugary breakfasts can cause a blood sugar spike and crash, which messes with your energy, cravings, and hormones.

Swap with: Homemade overnight oats with unsweetened plant milk. Use rolled oats, almond or oat milk, and top with seeds, a few berries, and cinnamon. Balanced. Anti-inflammatory. Still tasty. And it won’t leave you bloated or knackered an hour later!

Healthy overnight oats to reduce fibroid bloating.

You don't have to start from scratch

No one’s saying bin your entire fridge! But if you’re sick of fibroid bloat, cramping after meals, or second-guessing every bite, these swaps are an easy place to start.

Small tweaks like this can reduce inflammation, ease the bloat, and help you feel like you're finally not at war with your own body. You’ll be feeling less like a bloated balloon and more like you again!