It doesn’t matter how many years pass by, that time of the month rarely gets any less stressful or painful. Happily, there are some simple ways to help your body through, and many of them originate in your diet.
From boosting your mood to soothing your cramps, here are seven foods to eat while you’re on your period.
Bananas
We’re used to snacking on these to boost our energy, but did you know that the Vitamin B6 in bananas can also improve your mood? This is exactly what we need when we’re feeling down in the dumps while on our period – plus, the tasty yellow fruit is known for its bowel regulation qualities, which can be a godsend during this time.
Dark chocolate
When those cramps and that inexplicable fatigue kick in, it’s enough to leave us reaching for that box of chocolate doughnuts. However, a sugar binge is the last thing your body needs at this time. Instead, opt for dark chocolate with the highest percentage of cocoa that you can find – its high antioxidant and magnesium content will boost your serotonin (aka ‘happy hormone’) levels, plus it will satisfy that sweet craving.
Whole grain bread
Swap the white bread for a whole grain alternative when making your sandwiches during the week of your period – your body will thank you for it. Whole grains are packed with magnesium, which can help to ease muscle tension – exactly what you need when your cramps are doing your head in.
Nuts and seeds
If you’re looking for a healthy snack during the day, pick up a bag of unsalted, unsweetened and unprocessed nuts or seeds. Research has shown that their combination of healthy fats and protein as well as other nutrients can help to regulate your serotonin levels, alleviating those mood swings.
Chamomile tea
Okay, so it’s not technically a food, but it’s the perfect accompaniment for your 11 o’clock snack. Chamomile is known to have a calming, relaxing effect on the body, and it has been used by generations of women as a natural pain reliever, soothing muscle spasms.
Leafy green veg
While they’re probably the last things you want to reach for during your period, some leafy green veg is just the thing your body needs at this time. The key thing here is their high iron content; you need to regenerate your red blood cells during menstruation, and adding the likes of kale, broccoli and cabbage to your meals is one of the most effective ways of doing this.
Salmon
As we all know by now, salmon is rich in those healthy Omega-3 fatty acids, but how do these help with our periods? According to research, these acids combined with salmon’s B12 vitamins can ease the comfort of period pain.
