Period FAQs

what to eat during period

by Jaiden Wiegand MD Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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Foods to eat
  • Water. Drinking a lot of water is always important, and this is especially true during your period. ...
  • Fruit. Water-rich fruits, such as watermelon and cucumber, are great for staying hydrated. ...
  • Leafy green vegetables. ...
  • Ginger. ...
  • Chicken. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Turmeric. ...
  • Dark chocolate.
Jul 16, 2019

What are the best foods to eat on your period?

Vitamins and Nutrients Found In Foods That Help with Period Cramps

  • Magnesium and Calcium. These two minerals play key roles in supporting proper muscle contraction, and if you're falling short on your daily quota, your muscles may become tighter or tense, ...
  • Polyphenols. ...
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids. ...

What foods should you avoid during your period?

  • Limit your consumption of beverages and foods that contains caffeine like coffee, soft drinks and chocolates as they can worsen anxiety and depression .
  • Try to avoid Salty and sour foods containing high sodium like pickles and chips
  • Limit your intake of processed foods such as white bread, enriched pasta and sugary sweets.

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What should I not eat when on my period?

14 Foods to Eat (and Avoid) on Your Period

  • Foods/Drinks to Avoid
  • Carbonated Drinks. Sugary, carbonated drinks like soda contribute to bloating. ...
  • Processed Foods. Another culprit in the bloating game? ...
  • Fried Foods. Cut back on foods containing trans fats, which increase inflammation, to reduce pain during your period. ...
  • Legumes. ...
  • Refined Grains. ...
  • High-Fat Foods. ...
  • Foods to Eat
  • Kale. ...
  • Oranges. ...

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Why do I eat so much during my period?

Why Am I So Hungry During My Period?

  • The hormone progesterone, which rises prior to the onset of menstruation, can also stimulate appetite.
  • The body burns more calories during your period.
  • Pre-menstrual food cravings can be more severe for those with PMS or depression.
  • Most weight change during your period is due to water retention, not fat gain.

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What to eat during menstruation?

Opt for foods with ample nutrients like vitamins, minerals, water, protein, iron, and fiber. At the same time, try your best to avoid the following:

How to help menstrual cycle?

To aid digestion and regain what’s being lost during menstruation, avoid sugary, salty, and fatty treats and pick heart-friendly, high-fiber meals with tons of fruits and vegetables instead. When preparing vegetables, cooking them at a low to medium temperature will preserve as many nutrients as possible.

What fruits help with bloating?

Watermelons, figs, and plums. The natural sugars found in these foods may satisfy cravings for something sweet. Additionally, these fruits are rich in vitamins that can help with bloating. Watermelon also has a high water content and can help keep your body hydrated, which will reduce swelling and bloating.

What are some good foods to eat to help with bloating?

A smart alternative to sugary treats, oranges, lemons, and limes are packed with fiber and vitamin C and can provide relief from mood swings and bloating. Meanwhile, their high water content also keeps you hydrated.

Why does chocolate make you feel better during your period?

It intensifies during your period because of hormonal shifts and the loss of blood and nutrients.

How to get rid of PMS?

Combat PMS-related nausea and fatigue with a glass of lemon water or a (lightly sweetened or unsweetened) citrus smoothie. Moderation is key for getting a dose of feel-good energy without irritating your stomach.

What is the best food for cramps?

Consider making a meal of grilled salmon or salmon sushi for a dose of high-quality protein and plenty of B vitamins.

What are the best foods to eat during menstruation?

Fruits and vegetables. While fruits and vegetables are a vital source of nutrients and fiber in anyone’s diet, they may be especially helpful during menstruation. A 2018 study. Trusted Source.

How to help menstrual cycle?

Some dietary changes may ease menstrual symptoms in some people or help them stay healthy during their period. For example, eating iron-rich foods can help rep lenish iron stores when a person is losing blood.

How to reduce period bloating?

Reduce sodium. Lowering sodium intake can help reduce period-related bloating and weight gain. A 2019 study. Trusted Source. in the American Journal of Gastroenterology indicates that increasing sodium intake may make a person more likely to experience bloating.

What are the symptoms of a premenstrual cycle?

According to the Office on Women’s Health, about 90% of individuals experience premenstrual symptoms, such as: cramping. lower back pain. fatigue. mood swings. bloating. constipation or diarrhea. headaches. breast tenderness.

What foods are high in iron?

Foods that are high in iron include: oysters. beef and beef liver. fortified breakfast cereal.

Why does iron dip during periods?

Menstruation causes iron levels to dip as a person loses blood. This can even contribute to anemia in people with very heavy periods.

Can eating a lot of food make your period worse?

Just like some foods ease period symptoms, other foods may make them worse. These are usually foods that cause inflammation or bloating.

What to eat when you have a period?

You can do so by adding green leafy vegetables such as spinach, radish leaves, kale, and parsley to your diet.

What is the best food to eat during your period?

Consuming it will not only help you replenish your iron levels, but will also help you stay full, thereby curbing your cravings. In fact, fish is among the best foods to eat during your period as it can help relax muscles and relieve cramps. Besides iron and protein, fish is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can reduce the intensity of period pain.

How to get rid of period pain?

Try and consume foods that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids such as fish and nuts. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and can help greatly in relaxing your muscles and making period pain more manageable.

Why do women eat nuts during their periods?

A lot of women experience low energy levels during their periods, owing to hormonal changes. At such a time, munching on nuts can work wonders! Packed with nutrients, nuts can boost your energy levels and can help ward off tiredness. Besides, nuts are also great sources of protein and omega-3 fatty acids that work to relax your muscles.

Does yogurt help with menstrual cramps?

Yogurt contains calcium and magnesium. While magnesium can help boost your energy levels, calcium can help relax your muscles and ease menstrual cramps and aches.

Can sugar cause bloating during your period?

Consuming too much sugar during your period is not a great idea, even though having it may feel really comforting. Here’s the catch- eating too much sugar can cause a short-term spike in blood sugar, followed by a major crash, which might worsen your mood. Reach for fruits instead of sweet snacks as they can also add to the bloating and gas.

Can spicy foods cause stomach upset?

This can cause acid reflux, and can also upset your stomach. Avoid spicy foods at such times, especially if your tolerance for spice is already low.

How to get iron back after period?

You will lose lots of iron during your period. Eating some lean red meat will help to make up the lost iron. Add it to a salad with some beans and you’re all set for increasing your iron in no time.

What foods can help with diarrhea?

Comparing to eating fake sweet stuffs such as chocolates and candies, eating fruits like figs, watermelons, and plums that have natural sugars is much better and can help fight diarrhea and bloating. The carbs and natural sugars also help curb the cravings for junk foods. 3. All Kinds of Whole Grains.

Is caffeine bad for your period?

Caffeine and the products that contain it is a bad idea during your period. Caffeine dehydrates the body by narrowing the blood vessels. Besides, anxiety and headaches can increase during your period if you have a lot of caffeine. So avoid caffe ine during your period.

Can you eat fried foods during your period?

Fried foods are not your friend during your period. French fries, doughnuts, and the like will all contain hydrogenated vegetable oil which means a lot of trans-fats. Do not eat them during your period, instead, eat foods that contain unsaturated fats like seeds or avocados.

What is the best food to eat during your period?

Salmon. It is loaded with essential omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamin b12, salmon is one of the best foods to eat during periods. These compounds help with proper relaxation of the muscles ( R) which relieve the cramping you feel during the period.

What are some good foods to replenish your period?

Meat and Eggs are yet another amazing compounds that has essential replenishing properties. It helps prevent any kind of weakness or risks of tendencies which are caused by excess blood loss during the period.

How To Maintain Hygiene During Periods?

Maintaining proper hygien e during periods is not something that you need to be very thorough with. It should always come from instinct. In this section, we are going to discuss some of the common and easy tips one can use for main hygiene during periods.

What is the food that has skin on it?

Whole grains are the foods that are found with their skin on, much like brown rice, oats etc.

How to keep your genitals clean during periods?

Bathe regularly. If you don’t shower regularly, make sure that you change that habit during the days of periods. It is very important to keep yourself clean and your genitals clean to reduce risks of infection. It washes the accumulated sweat and any kind of unwanted bacterial growth in an around the genitals.

Is yogurt good for your gut?

Yoghurt is known just for its beneficial probiotic properties which are beneficial for the proper function of our gut. It also has beneficial impacts if you were wondering what to eat during periods.

Does dark chocolate help with cramps?

Periods are often coupled with bad mood and painful cramps and dark chocolate is believed to be effective in getting rid of both.

What is the best food for women during periods?

Since a woman’s body goes through so much during periods and throughout life, Dr. McClure encourages women to fuel up with good foods that are rich in antioxidants, iron and fiber. “You also want to focus on getting key nutritional elements such as vitamin D and your omega-3s like salmon, flaxseed and tree nuts to naturally decrease inflammation.”

What foods block estrogen?

To some degree, reabsorption of estrogen can be blocked with fiber. Fiber can be found in whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, Swiss chard, and bok choy) are not only good sources of fiber, but they also are packed with antioxidants and reduce inflammation.

What to do when you're cramping and irritable?

When you’re cramping and irritable, you just know that a hot fudge brownie sundae with extra fudge, nuts and whipped cream will make everything better. The problem is those sweet treats can significantly impact your insulin levels.

What are some good sources of fiber?

As before mentioned, whole grains and legumes like beans, peas, and lentils also are good sources of fiber. However, Dr. McClure suggests eating grains and legumes in moderation because some of these foods can increase inflammation in the body as well. Advertising Policy.

What are some good foods to eat to prevent cancer?

Stock up on dark berries. Dr. McClure says blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries and cherries are great sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because they help fight off free radicals which are linked to illnesses like diabetes and cancer.

How long before your cycle should you build up iron?

According to Dr. McClure, start building up your iron levels a week or two before your cycle to increase your blood counts.

Can you eat carbs during your period?

If you eat a lot of carbs and sugar during your period, you might feel bloated or backed up. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) might experience irregular periods which could lead to other complications. But when your blood sugar levels are going up and down, Dr. McClure says you might feel tired or get headaches frequently.

What to eat during menstruation?

That means focusing on easy to digest and nutrient-rich soups, broths, stews, green juices, smoothies, lighter proteins. If it’s summer, do veggie packed salads with dark greens like arugula, and top with lighter proteins like wild salmon or eggs. Get iron-rich foods like beets and leafy greens like kale, spinach, and chard. During winter, focus on soups and stews packed with leafy greens, bone broth, and legumes or sweet potato.

What to do the week before your period?

The week before your period is a time to start winding down again and practice good self care, more yin yoga, and more time to yourself. Then the cycle starts all over again.

What phase of the cycle is luteal?

Phase four is the luteal phase. This is the second half your cycle that begins with ovulation. Estrogen and testosterone decline, and ovulation has triggered a rise in progesterone, the hormone that continues to rise if you’re pregnant. It drops just below menstruation if you’re not pregnant. Progesterone is a natural anti-anxiety hormone, and you may find yourself winding down in the second half of your cycle.

What hormones are released during phase 2 of a period?

The pituitary gland releases a hormone called Follicle Stimulating Hormone ( FSH), which stimulates the follicles in your ovaries to mature. These follicles contain your eggs. FSH is highest during the follicular phase (probably peaking around day 5-7).

How many days does a woman's cycle last?

Most basic info about menstruation says that your cycle consists of two phases, the follicular phase (the first half, average 14 days ) and the luteal phase (the second half, average 14 days). But it’s a bit more nuanced than that.

Why do I have loose stools during my period?

Many women have GI upset, especially loose stool, during menstruation due to dropping hormone levels that affect your gut bacteria. If this is you, take a probiotic for several months, increase your fermented and gut healing foods, and avoid harder-to-digest, heavier foods during your period. Drink fresh ginger tea to ease bloating and GI discomfort.

How long does a menstrual cycle last?

The average menstrual cycle lasts from between 21 – 35 days. The gold standard is 28 days. More on cycle length and how to regulate your period in this post. I also recommend tracking your cycle using the Fertility Awareness Method, an app, or a tracker like Daysy (more of an ovulation tracker).

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Foods to Eat During Periods

Foods to Avoid During Periods

  • Sugar cravings will likely hit you during your period, but it is important to remember that refined sugars and processed food might worsen the symptoms of your period. While it is okay to give in to your cravings occasionally, don’t make it a habit. Scroll down to find out which foods to avoid during your period.
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FAQs

  • Do you have further questions about what to eat during your period? We have answered a few questions below related to diet during periods, fruits to eat during periods, foods to avoid during period, and more.
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