Periods are one of the toughest phases of every month. Along with doing what we do every day, women also manage their menstruation days. Be it an on-field duty or sitting back in your cabin, menstruation days are hard for women from all walks of life. And, because periods are so messed up, it is important that we eat healthy and take care of ourselves during this time. So, if you had or are having a painful period you may want to look at your diet and make some changes.
1. Spicy Food
You may be tempted to eat something and spicy, especially if you love fried foods and readymade snacks. You should avoid eating spicy and salty food as excess salt will cause water retention which in turn may cause bloating.
2. Avoid Caffeine
We should limit the quantity of caffeine during periods. Although caffeine has no direct impact on periods it can shorten the length of periods. It can also cause increased urination or headache sometimes. Dehydration also occurs if we consume caffeine during periods. This can worsen menstrual symptoms like pain, cramps, discomfort, etc. Instead of caffeine-containing products, you can go for green tea, carrot and tomato juice or any kind of vegetable soup.
3. Red Meat
During your period, your body produces prostaglandins. These compounds help your uterus contract and get rid of the uterine lining, resulting in your menstrual flow. However, high levels of prostaglandins cause cramps. Red meat may be high in iron, but it is also high in prostaglandins and should be avoided during menstruation.
4. Alcohol
Your girls night out can wait, as it is not advisable to consume alcohol during your days of menstruation. Alcohol can dehydrate you, which can worsen headaches and cause bloating. It can also lead to digestive issues, such as diarrhea and nausea. Hence, delay your girls night plans for a later part of the month.
5. Avoid Dairy Products
Consuming dairy products such as milk, cheese and cream during periods can cause discomfort. They contain a tremendous amount of arachidonic acid and increase the risk of cramps during menstruation. Therefore, instead of consuming these things, you may prefer toned milk and buttermilk.
6. Avoid Excess Of Salt Consumption
Excess of salt is also problematic during periods for women because it can make them feel more bloated, lethargic, and uncomfortable. Also too many sour things are harmful during periods, especially pickles. It also contains a lot of sodium which causes an increase in pain.
7. Avoid Processed Foods
Processed foods are also a huge source of sodium, which is a major cause of bloating and water retention, and is best avoided during and a few days before your period. Since we are constantly exposed to a lot of varieties of foods, it is hard to determine if a particular food is processed or not. But to make things easier, here’s a great tip – always read the ingredients on the package; if there are more than five ingredients mentioned, then it would be better to avoid buying it, as it is more than likely to be processed.
8. Avoid Refined Grains
Just like processed foods lose much of their nutritional value, the same happens with refined grains as well. In the process of refining the grains, they lose a lot of their nutrients and vitamins, which makes them interfere with your blood sugar levels and increases cravings. Bread, pizza, cereals, and tortillas should be avoided as they lead to bloating and constipation.
During menstruation, it is also important to know about the diet that a woman should take to keep herself healthy. Things mentioned above should be avoided during periods. These can exacerbate symptoms and cause discomfort. So avoid consuming these things and include a healthy diet during menstruation.
