Green Smoothie Green fruits and veggies are always good for you, but they're even better during your period. Drinking a delicious, fresh green smoothie at the start of your day or even as a pick-me-up snack will deliver an enormous nutritional boost that helps combat period-related ailments.
Dairy products contain an omega-6 fatty acid, arachidonic acid. This results in an increase in the levels of inflammation that can worsen your period pain. In fact, arachidonic acid can act as a trigger for period cramps.
Replenishing vitamins and minerals by drinking fresh fruits and vegetable juices help during period cramps. Apples, carrots, oranges, beetroot, and celery, with a punch of cinnamon and ginger, all make up the best juices to drink during periods.
Strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free, cholesterol-free, low-calorie source that keeps a check on your health in a lot of ways. Strawberry even has vitamin C that can work wonders for your skin. So, you can have your strawberries raw while PMSing or blend them into a smoothie.
Having a lot of dairy products is not the best idea, as it can cause cramping. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream contain arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), which can increase inflammation and can intensify your period pain.
Things you should avoid
“Consumption of excess salt causes water retention that leads to bloating during your period,” said Dr Patil. In fact, also avoid spicy food since it can upset your stomach and cause acid refluxes. “Avoid drinks like coffee, energy drinks etc as they can cause headaches and constipation.
So we can safely say that mangoes do not affect your periods. It is considered a neutral fruit. Mango helps you boost your zinc and iron levels during your periods.
Milk contains saturated fats which have the potential to increase inflammation and irritation which is, in turn, likely to worsen period pain. Plus, dairy also contains a chemical called prostaglandin which can contribute to cramping.
Milk and other dairy products can generally be healthy options. However, during your period, your body is particularly susceptible to inflammation. The saturated fats in dairy products can trigger inflammation, which can worsen your menstrual pain.
Chocolate can elevate your prostaglandins level and you may experience more period cramping. If you want to have chocolate, have only dark chocolate and that too in a limited quantity.
Things you should avoid
“Consumption of excess salt causes water retention that leads to bloating during your period,” said Dr Patil. In fact, also avoid spicy food since it can upset your stomach and cause acid refluxes. “Avoid drinks like coffee, energy drinks etc as they can cause headaches and constipation.
The caffeine in soda can cause dehydration, which can exacerbate symptoms like headaches and period cramps. The sugar in soda can cause digestive upset, which can exacerbate symptoms like diarrhea and period bloating.
Bananas are rich in potassium, which helps the body regulate blood flow during menstruation. The high fiber content of bananas also helps to regulate blood sugar levels, making them a great choice for women during their periods.
Drinking chamomile, fennel or ginger tea is an easy, natural way to relieve menstrual cramps. Plus, these herbal teas can have other benefits, like stress relief and helping with insomnia.
Though most of us crave milk chocolate during our periods, it's actually best to stay away from that sweet little devil.
Foods like meat, sugar, and coffee may worsen menstrual cramps, research shows. Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, can cause monthly misery for those who menstruate. Painkillers and anti-inflammatories can provide relief, but long-term use is not advisable, and they do not work for everyone.
Processed foods
Pop the frozen pizza rolls in the oven or ask Mom to pick up McDonald's on the way home. However we're just making our symptoms worse. Most processed foods, aside from not being good for your health, contain a lot of salt, which is something we should avoid on our periods.
Ans.: Eating ice cream in moderation during periods is unlikely to cause any health problems. However, consuming large amounts of sugary or high-fat foods can lead to bloating, weight gain, and mood swings. It's important to listen to your body and maintain a balanced diet to avoid any adverse effects.
Regular exercise can make cramps less painful and help with PMS symptoms. Plus, exercise is a good mood lifter. Some girls find that heating pads or warm baths can also help with cramps. If your periods are still painful, talk to your doctor for other suggestions.