For some women, it is a challenge to survive that period which happens every month. Having mood swings, stomach cramps, and food cravings are not something easy to handle.
Those days can feel like staying home all day, napping, and eating a lot of chocolate. But there are a lot of chores and tasks that are waiting ahead. Sometimes it is impossible to get a day off from work. That’s why you need to survive this period, no matter how hard it is for us, women.
I can help you with that. There are some tips you need to know to help you get through this every time it comes. And it is different every time. You may not even notice that the food you consume has a big impact on your menstrual symptoms. Depends on the food, it can make it better or worse. You can welcome the PMS (post-menstrual syndrome)with ease and not allowing it to break your mood, plans, or your health.
I prepared you a list of foods (and drinks) you need on the table to relieve the menstrual pain.
1. Green Leafy Vegetables
Choose vegetables that are rich in iron, since iron levels drop during those days. The best options are kale, spinach, and broccoli. You can add other vegetables as well to regain the energy, with needed vitamins and magnesium.
2. Fish
The best food representing Omega-3 acids is fish. It is also rich in iron and proteins that make the period less painful and helps you with mood swings. There is a good reason to have fish on your plate. If you don’t like eating fish try adding Omega 3 fatty acids supplements in your diet.
3. Nuts
Nuts do make magic, with their healthy fats and proteins. One hand full of different nuts as a snack and you won over the period. Let that snack be contained of almonds, walnuts, and pumpkin seeds.
4. Fresh fruits
Doctors are recommending avoiding sugary foods, but you can have your favorite berries and saturate your sweet cravings. The choice is yours, from strawberries to blackberries, oranges, bananas, and many more. Don’t forget to add these healthy foods in your meal plan, fresh instead of processed. It doesn’t make any difference, if you prefer them in a liquid condition, like juices and smoothies.
5. Herbal Teas
The best drinks to have for the menstrual pain are teas. As the best-known soothers of PMS symptoms are herbal ones. Either you choose peppermint, chamomile, or ginger, there are only healthy benefits consuming them, curing nausea, vomiting, or relieving cramps. Just name it.
6. Dark chocolate
I believe this one is your favorite. Especially, when cravings are that big, fruits are not helping, and sugar is better to be avoided. So, the good news is that a bar of dark chocolate can make you feel better. It contains magnesium and iron to keep your hormones balanced and your mood high. Sipping hot cocoa is a good replacement for this kind of chocolate.
These food are very good helpers when it comes to having PMS symptoms and not knowing how to handle them. But there are some limitations, some foods you need to avoid, to not make those days worse, like:
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Sugar and Salt
- Spicy Food
- Red Meat
Now that you know which foods to eat, and which to avoid, you can handle your next period with more energy. Don’t forget exercises, hot compresses, and massages as additional remedies. If this doesn’t help, consult with your doctor.