Guest Article

In this post, you’ll discover top healing foods for HSPs. The magic of eating a homegrown potato feeds my sensitive soul.  What foods make your heart sing?  

Listening to your unique body is key to understanding what foods nourish you.  Asking yourself, “How does my body feel after I eat this?” is important as a HSP.  Cravings for foods we know are bad for us are often about detoxing old emotions associated with that food.  

If we realize we ate something that we wish we didn’t, it’s important to remember positive self-talk and self-love and just take note that we may want to choose something else next time.  

Some people can experience digestive issues and be extremely sensitive to healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. One overlooked root cause of food sensitivity can be an inflamed vagus nerve.  

The vagus nerve is a cranial nerve that runs from the back of the neck to the abdomen.  One of the functions of this nerve is to stimulate involuntary contractions in the digestive tract (esophagus, stomach, and intestines) which allow food to move through the tract.  Health fruits and vegetables help maintain proper vagus nerve function. 

1. Papaya

Digestive enzymes in papaya calm inflamed digestive and pelvic nerves. Papaya is one of the most easily digested foods. If you’re looking for a non GMO papaya, the Maradol variety is the only kind that is non GMO.  I couldn’t get mine to ripen until I discovered this trick: put your papaya in a paper bag on the counter if you want it to ripen quickly.  

2. Celery

Celery is loaded with androstenone and androstenol-male hormones, which stimulates libido in women.  Celery contains the chemical apigenin that activates the soothing parasympathetic tone of the nervous system.

3. Potatoes 🥔 

Potatoes steamed without butter are best to keep the most nutrients in tact.  They are rich in bioactive lysine, an amino acid. Potatoes are calming to the nervous system.  A one week 2018 study showed lysine lowered stress-induced anxiety and reduced levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

4. Sweet potatoes 🍠 

Sweet potatoes help with natural hormone balance.  They are high in magnesium, one of the best minerals for promoting relaxation, calmness, and improved mood.

5. Asparagus 

Asparagus contains the compounds chlorophyll and lutein which help cleanse toxins from our organs.  They are rich in easily absorbable B vitamins.  Emotional stress depletes our stores of B vitamins so replenishing these lost vitamins is key.

6. Carrots 🥕 

Carrots are an estrogen modulating food that helps balance hormones.  The vitamin A and beta carotene in carrots are anti inflammatory.  All the vitamins and minerals in carrots refuel the liver. 

7. Wild blueberries 🫐 

I have so many childhood summer memories of grazing on wild blueberries in Maine with my cousin for hours.  I didn’t realize they were so good for me!  A 2013 Maine study showed that wild blueberries help diversify the gut microbiome.  

Anthocyanins are a group of antioxidants found in red, blue, and purple fruits and veggies.  Wild blueberries contain 33% more brain healthy anthocyanins than regular blueberries.  The structure of anthocyanins gives them high antioxidant activity according to a 2017 Malaysian study.

8. Mangoes 🥭 

Mangoes 🥭 indirectly increases melatonin because they contains tons of pyridoxine (vitamin B6) which is essential in synthesizing serotonin.  Serotonin is needed to make melatonin.  Eat them at night to get ready for a restful night’s sleep.  Mangos help maintain hormonal balance and proper immune function.

What are your favorite foods?  What foods are healing to you as a highly sensitive person?

Sara Lopez helps highly sensitive learners achieve hormone and reproductive system wellness so they can feel good in their body again.  She is a Certified Hormone Specialist and Emotion Code Practitioner.  Her website is:  https://empathmagic.com

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Julie Bjelland is a psychotherapist specializing in high sensitivity, Author of The Empowered Highly Sensitive Person, host of The HSP Podcast, and founder of the Sensitive Empowerment Community. Her books, blog, online courses, and free Webinars have helped thousands of highly sensitive people (HSPs) worldwide reduce their challenges, access their gifts, and discover their significant value to thrive to their fullest potential. Her HSPs in Heart-Centered Business Group connects and supports HSP healers and practitioners. Julie loves connecting in her Sensitive Empowerment Community and warmly invites you to join this positive, safe, and welcoming space. JulieBjelland.com❤️🌈❤️ (she/her)