Foods You Should _Shouldn’t Eat in Periods

 

Women who menstruate often experience a few symptoms that can make them not feel their best. These symptoms can be abdominal cramps, headaches, bloating, and fatigue. When it comes to your body, the foods you put into it can help you alleviate your menstrual symptoms, and other foods can worsen your symptoms.  Here are some foods you should and shouldn’t while on your period. 

Foods you should eat while on your period: 

1.     Ginger: 

Ginger can be just as effective as ibuprofen and other over-the-counter medicine when it comes to reducing pain in women during their cycles. It has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that can help aid in the reduction of pain and bloating. Ginger plays a key role in lowering prostaglandins, lipids made where there is tissue damage or infection, reducing pain such as abdominal cramps. 

2.     Fruit 

Fruits are made from natural sugars that can help curve unhealthy sugar cravings. When you take in too much sugar your glucose levels can spike and then crash. Fruits rich in vitamins can help reduce bloating and fruits with high water content can help you stay hydrated resulting in a reduction of swelling and bloating as well. 

3.     Leafy Green vegetables: 

During your period your iron levels can drop due to the amount of blood you are losing. Eating leafy green vegetables that are high in iron such as kale and spinach can help you feel less fatigued or dizzy, symptoms of low iron levels. Vegetables such as broccoli are rich in calcium which can ease menstrual cramps and pain. 

4.     Fish: 

Fish is rich in iron, protein, and Omega- 3 fatty acids. Supplying your body with enough iron is essential as some women’s iron levels drop drastically during their periods. This can result in a woman being fatigued or dizzy. 

During your cycle your body’s inflammation levels increases. Eating foods high in omega-3 can help reduce inflammation and alleviate menstrual pain. Omega-3 also reduces depression, which some women experience during menstruation along with mood swings. 

Foods you should eat in moderation while on your period:

1.     Alcohol:

Alcohol can dehydrate you, cause headaches and make you bloated. Alcohol has a few side effects that can make you feel worse during menstruation such as nausea, headache, and fatigue. It is best to avoid alcohol so that you don’t enhance your menstrual symptoms or make yourself feel worse during your cycle. 

2.     Coffee: 

You do not have to cut out coffee completely from your diet when you are on your cycle but limiting the number of cups you have can help limit water retention and bloating. Limiting coffee intake can also help you from getting diarrhea if you are a woman that tends to get diarrhea during their period. 

3.     Sugar: 

Watching your sugar intake while on your period can help regulate your mood especially if you tend to feel moody, depressed, or anxious. It is best to eat sugar in moderation, having too much sugar can cause a spike in energy followed by a crash which can result in you being in a bad mood. 

4.     Salt:

Too much salt in your diet can lead to water retention, which results in bloating. Try limiting your salt intake and eating less food with high sodium so you don’t feel bloated during your period. 

In-Conclusion: 

When women menstruate, they can experience a variety of different symptoms, and depending on the food you eat you can either relieve those symptoms or make them worse. You don’t have to cut out all unhealthy food but being cautious of the amount of it you eat and how you are feeling can help you prevent worsening your menstrual symptoms. Find healthy foods that can make you feel energized during your cycle so you can conquer your days as your best self.