Periods can be very excruciating. Especially when you have to work all day long without much to complain about. Extra hours, late night shifts or perhaps an important event to attend, it just can’t be excused. However what keeps us going throughout the day is the amount of food and water intake during the day. Trust me, ladies, the diet or food that we have during period cycle plays a very significant role in obtaining the extra energy that we lose.
Not gonna go all medical on you all, but would surely suggest some pro tips to keep up great during periods.
What to avoid eating during periods
Avoiding certain food during periods is very crucial in order to have a stress-free cycle.
Starting with oily and fried food to the caffeine enriched products, all should be avoided or there should be the minimum intake of such food.
1. Food containing Trans-Fats
Trans-Fats, popularly known as the trans-fatty acids causes pain during periods and are to be avoided for better care. The mouth watering french fries, doughnuts, onion rings, vada pavs, samosas etc (very mouth watering stuff) but to be completely avoided. Not only for maintaining a less painful period cycle but also to prevent from oily pores or acnes to develop due to excessive oil intake.
It’s really hard to go on a trans-fat free diet but for those 4 days, you can maintain your aura by completely forgetting its existence. And having some go-to healthy food to eat which I’ll be sharing with you later.
2. Fatty Meat and dairy products
These fats are found in red meat, milk products including butter, and palm and coconut oils. Regular cheese, pizza, and grain-based and dairy desserts are common sources of saturated fat in our meals. It increases the level of pain and inflammation of your periods.
Yes, I know ice-creams play a very important role during our tough times, but girl you need to avoid having any dairy product during that time of the month.
Also Read: 7 Things Every Girl Does While On Her Periods
3. Refined grains
Refined grains, in contrast to whole grains, refers to grain products consisting of grains or grain flours that have been significantly modified from their natural composition. The modification process generally involves the mechanical removal of bran and germ, either through grinding or selective sifting.
As a result of the modification, refined grains lose the original identity of an ordinary grain’s nutrient content.
This results in core interference with your blood sugar and appetite between the meals- the factors that can worsen your menstrual cycle.
4. Sugary food
Due to hormonal changes during menstruation, blood sugar levels become unstable, and many women crave sweets. Eating foods high in sugar adds to your blood sugar fluctuations, resulting in mood swings and tension. In addition, consuming refined, sugar-rich foods can contribute to immune system imbalance and fatigue.
5. Caffeine food and beverages
Restricting your consumption of foods and beverages that contain caffeine can help relieve menstrual symptoms. Caffeine-containing foods and beverages, such as chocolate, coffee, tea and soft drinks, worsen symptoms such as anxiety, depression and breast tenderness, according to James F. Balch and Mark Stengler, authors of “Prescription for Natural Cures.”
I really wonder what keeps us going through our cycle when the above food which we crave for is eliminated.
But don’t you worry girl, have got a list of food items to cling onto during your menstrual cycle.
Also Read: 8 PMS Symptoms That Indicate Your Period Is Coming
What to eat during periods
Girl no let’s move on to the better side of your periods. I know the pain, the bloating, all those insignificant mood swings and hunger! But relax take a seat back cause I am gonna list the items to stick to your periods PS they are healthy!
1. Drink lots of water
Yes, Water is your best buddy during periods. The intake of water must be high to make the flow easy and to ease the pain during the menstrual cycle. Also the plus point of drinking water that it clarifies your skin and makes it glow at the same time. Besides sometimes want we think is hunger is often the untold thirst or crave for a large amount of water for our body.
2. Leafy vegetables
Aha, you got it correct. We are going the old school way of vanishing the pain of our periods by sticking to a strict diet which our moms suggested us from the very beginning. There’s nothing healthy than the intake of leafy vegetables along with a hot soup. Foods like spinach, kale, collard greens and swiss chard are the best when you are menstruating because they are filled with iron, which gets lost when you are menstruating.
Also Read: 7 Reasons For A Late Period Other Than Pregnancy
3. Yogurt
Now is the time to get creative with yogurt parfaits, smoothies and sauces. Yogurt is a source of calcium which can help to reduce PMS and relax your muscles. It also contains live cultures which promote healthy digestion. If you are looking for a non-dairy source of calcium try broccoli, kale and almonds instead.
4. Bananas
Bananas are one of the best sources of potassium and also contain B6 and other vitamins which help to boost your mood. They also help to regulate bowel movements, which is something a lot of people struggle with when they are menstruating. Think of them as the happy fruit!
I know the very struggle of those 4 days, but at least making our eating habits right we may tend to have a happy period sorta mood. This is the least we can do to make ourselves feel better. Apart from this, there’s always an option of watching a good movie or reading a good book or perhaps going shopping with your besties!
Also Read: 7 Period Hacks To Ease The Pain & Keep You Healthy