One of the ways to deal with the negative symptoms of your period is to eat the right things. Let’s look at the top 8 things to eat during your period to have a happier period and kick PMS to the curb!
1. Leafy greens
Greens like spinach and other iron-rich foods are crucial during your period, as the NHS tells us that people “who lose a lot of blood during their monthly period are at higher risk of iron deficiency anaemia." In general, women are more likely to be iron deficient and have lower iron intake than men. If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, eating iron-rich foods like tofu, nuts and seeds to make up for not eating red meat is very important during menstruation.
2. Oatmeal
Oatmeal contains vitamins A and B, as well as other minerals that can help fight painful period cramps. Oatmeal is also high in iron, which helps lower incidence of PMS symptoms and can help with tiredness associated with menstruation.
3. Chamomile tea
Low in caffeine, chamomile tea is a muscle relaxing herbal blend that can help fight period pains. Chamomile is known to help aid with anxiety and sleep, and is a perfect choice for helping you relax during your period.
Check out our Chamomile tea here!
4. Salmon
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins B and D, Salmon’s anti-oxidant and anti-flammatory nature can help relax your uterus and relieve cramps. Now, I personally don’t like cooked fish, but for me salmon is easy - just eat sushi!
5. Banana
The potassium in bananas helps to balance out the amount of water in our system, which can help reduce water retention and that horrible bloating feeling you can get. Fruit in general is a great choice during your period, as it can help curb the sweet cravings we tend to get.
6. Turmeric
A kind of random addition, but studies suggest that spicy foods can help with period pains, and certain spices like turmeric and cinnamon can help with inflammation and tension during you period. Ashwagandha is also becoming more popular these days for its hormone-balancing ability.
7. Dark chocolate
Sugar free dark chocolate contains iron, antioxidants and magnesium, which can help reduce the intensity of PMS symptoms. It’s also a great comfort food, and a good replacement for milk chocolate and other sweets, which you should avoid as much as possible on your period.
You can read our other blog post on how to have a happy period to learn more about why you should avoid sweets and sugar during menstruation!
8. Water
You should always aim to stay hydrated, but this is particularly important during your period, as dehydration headaches become more common during this time. Surprisingly, the more water you drink, the less you’ll feel bloated due to water retention. The wonders of the body never cease!