Cramps, bloating, heavy flow, nausea, migraines, diarrhoea; period symptoms are endless and vary. While it’s hard to predict exactly how you’ll feel during your period, taking precautions and trying remedies do help. One way to ensure that your period causes less mayhem than usual is to consume a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet.
– Leg, back, or stomach cramping – Premenstrual syndrome – Breast swelling and tenderness – Bloating – Acne breakouts Some effective ways to manage the pain are: – Lie down and put a pillow under your knees or lie on the side and bring the knees up to the chest as it can help relieve back pressure
Menstrual cramps happen when the uterus contracts to help expel its lining. Prostaglandins are the hormone involved in pain and inflammation of the uterine muscle. Increased levels of prostaglandins can lead to severe menstrual cramps.
1. Berries: They include minerals that can help balance out the hormonal changes. 2. Lentils & Beans: Lentils and beans are rich in protein iron, which helps with blood flow. 3. Chamomile Tea: According to studies, Chamomile tea relaxes muscles, eases nerves, reduces hormone-related anxiety which is helpful during periods. 4. Flax Seeds: It helps flush out excess estrogen that can lead to heavy bleeding and 5. Chickpeas: It is full of B6 which helps with progesterone levels during menstruation. 6. Bananas: It is full of potassium that helps restore the natural fluid balance in our bodies, and bananas are chock-full of it.
1. Fennel Seeds: Fennel reduces nausea and fatigue and improves general feelings of well-being in regular users. 2. Cinnamon: Cinnamon helps decrease nausea and vomiting associated with menstruation. 3. Turmeric: It contains anti-inflammatory which helps to reduce chronic pain and spasms.
Food that needs to be avoided: 1. Processed Foods: Processed meat, canned foods, and chemicals and preservatives induced food can make bloating and water retention worse hence avoid them during periods. 2. Candy & Snacks: Eat juicy fruit or dry fruits and avoid sweet snacks as they might contribute to bloating and gas while delivering a short-term spike in blood sugar. 3. Alcohol: Consumption of alcoholic beverages should be avoided as it aggravates fatigue and boosts menstrual flow.