Those five days are filled with horrifying and frustrating cramps, mood swings, and bloating. For many people, it might be the time they binge eat a lot of food, but do you know that some foods can directly impact your bloating and cramps?
You may be surprised to know that the spicy foods you crave during your periods can contribute to making you feel even more bloated. Certain foods to avoid during periods to feel less bloated and crampy. Would you like to know what they are? Don't worry, we have the right list of what not to eat and what to eat during periods instead.
The best way to combat cramps is by changing your diet and healthifying your body. The right foods will improve your mood and fight fatigue. You will also feel more energetic and have more stamina, especially during those days. Let us dive in.
What Should We Not Eat During Periods?
Many people do not believe that certain foods can relieve the symptoms associated with periods, such as bloating, fatigue, mood swings, and cramps. Certain foods can affect your blood sugar levels and hormones, which can, in turn, trigger abdominal cramps and lead to mood swings. Foods rich in carbohydrates and processed sugars can have a similar effect, intensifying your menstrual symptoms. We will discuss some foods and drinks to avoid during menstruation.
On the other hand, certain foods help balance your hormone levels, which has a direct effect on mood swings. Certain foods also help in reducing bloating and the incidence of cramps. While it is true that no food can completely reduce cramps and other menstrual symptoms, it can certainly help reduce their incidence.
Which Foods To Avoid During Periods?
Many food items can cause your blood sugar and hormones to rise. They can also cause inflammation, leading to bloating. Avoiding these foods will help stabilize your mood and reduce cramps. They might not be what you crave during your periods, but they are certainly what your body requires.
1. Alcoholic Drinks
Alcohol and alcohol-containing drinks are a complete no-no during your periods. This might seem strange, considering that alcohol can stabilize cramps to an extent. However, the effects are not long-lasting. Moreover, the side effects of alcohol trump the temporary relief it brings from cramps. Of all the drinks and foods to avoid during periods, alcohol is at the top of the list.
Alcohol consumption can increase estrogen levels in the body, which can make your periods irregular. Moreover, alcohol causes water retention. This means that the more you drink, the more bloated you will feel. If you are craving something to drink, go for a yogurt drink or coconut water. These will make you feel refreshed and reduce your period symptoms.
2. Caffeine
Another thing to not consume during periods is coffee or any caffeine-containing products. Caffeine is a stimulant that can affect your hormone levels. This will certainly worsen your cramps and mood swings. Caffeine is one of the foods to avoid during periods also because it can increase heart rate and blood pressure. This can cause anxiety and worsen mood swings.
Moreover, caffeine can also impact your body’s ability to absorb iron. This can lead to fatigue and low levels of energy. In case you are craving coffee, you can go for tea instead. The better choice would be fruit juice or vegetable soup.
3. Processed Foods
Processed foods contain a very high level of sodium, which can lead to water retention and bloating during periods. The ingredients and preservatives in these foods can lead to mood swings, cramps, and fatigue.
Many women binge on fast food during their periods, but this ultimately does more harm than good. Burgers, pizzas, chips, frozen foods, bacon, and doughnuts are the foods to avoid during periods. In today’s world, we are exposed to several processed foods that may not be easy to avoid.
In this case, always look at the ingredients. If the food contains more than five ingredients, skip it. Foods with multiple ingredients are likely to be more processed than others. These are what we should not eat during periods.
4. Milk And Other Dairy Products
You might be very surprised to hear that dairy products are among the foods to avoid during periods. After all, milk and dairy products are supposed to be healthy food choices. However, most of them contain high levels of arachidonic acid, which can trigger or worsen period cramps.
Moreover, many added preservatives are added to milk, which can trigger acne in adults. Therefore, milk and dairy products should be avoided by women who have period-related troubles such as endometriosis.
5. Fried And Fatty Foods
Although many processed foods come under this, homemade foods rich in fats and oils should also be avoided during periods. Fatty foods can influence your hormone levels and make you feel gassy.
Moreover, foods rich in saturated fats can increase the production of prostaglandins. This component can lead to increased period pains. Oily food increases estrogen secretion, which can lead to mood swings. Moreover, they can cause acne and skin inflammation.
Fried And Fatty Foods
Go for roasted snacks and whole wheat foods instead of fatty and oily foods. Fast foods are among the top foods to avoid during periods.
6. Salty Food
Salty foods are among the foods to avoid during period cramps. A high concentration of sodium in food can lead to water retention. This can worsen bloating issues and make you feel sluggish and tired. Period cravings can make you feel the urge to consume chips and other salty snacks, but they will only make you feel more tired and worsen your mood.
Instead of going for processed salty foods, you can go for snacks with less salt, such as corn. It is also better to make roasted snacks at home since these will have far fewer sodium levels than processed snacks. Salty snacks are among the foods to avoid during periods at all costs.
Are There Any Fruits To Avoid During Periods?
While fruits generally are always good for your health, certain fruits can cause you to feel more bloated. This includes fruits such as watermelon and pineapples. These fruits have a cooling sensation on the body, but they can make you feel more bloated and tired.
It is advised to speak with a doctor regarding which fruits you should and should not eat during your periods. The items mentioned above are definitely among the foods to avoid during periods.
5 Important Things To Avoid During Periods
Other than avoiding the foods mentioned above, there are other things to avoid during periods. Some of these are:
- Do not indulge in any heavy lifting or exercise during your period.
- It is advised not to go swimming during your periods since it can cause infections.
- Women’s pain tolerance can decrease during periods, so they are advised not to get waxed during these days.
- Since mood swings are common, it is advised not to indulge in behaviors termed as depressive.
- Importantly, always remove your pad or tampon every 6-8 hours to lessen the risk of infections and bad odor.
Conclusion
You must stick to healthy foods and stay away from the foods to avoid during periods. Foods such as kale, oranges, whole grains, and salmon can help in reducing cramps and bloating. They can also improve your mood.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What foods should we eat during periods?
It is advised to consume homemade food and lots of fruits and vegetables when you are on your period.
Q2. What fruit is the healthiest for periods?
Papaya and kiwi are some of the best fruits to eat during periods.
Q3. What foods relieve cramps?
Kale, spinach, and broccoli can be helpful in reducing cramps.
Q4. What should I drink when on my period?
water, green tea and fruit juices should be on your menu when you have your periods.
