We’ve talked about the kinds of food that helps with menstrual cramps, now, let’s dive into the forbidden category of untouchables when you’re on your period!
(Psst, read on for a neatly summarised infographic at the end!)
#1: Fatty Food
To be specific, avoid food high in saturated fats. While it’s a known incontrovertible fact that they're generally bad for your health, saturated fats are especially detrimental for you during your period. Saturated fats occur naturally in many foods, but the bulk come mainly from animal sources, including meat and dairy products.
They have a robust influence on oestrogen levels, causing you to experience breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating and lots of other PMS-related symptoms. additionally , not only will saturated fats increase inflammation, hence causing increased menstrual cramps, they also contain arachidonic acid – a producer of the nasty prostaglandins, the hormone liable for uterine contractions and thus, menstrual cramps.
Lastly, all the additional oil from these saturated fats will cause even more breakouts – Stay clear from the nasties!
Instead, choose lean cuts of poultry and meat!
#2: Alcohol
Yes, even on the worst days, attempt to avoid that tumbler of wine or can of beer. While alcohol could also be a short lived relief for menstrual cramps, it'd actually cause it to urge worse. Alcohol increases oestrogen levels, which is said to all or any the amount symptoms you experience like mood swings or breast tenderness. Still not convinced? Alcohol’s diuretic nature increases levels of water retention, causing you to, yep you guess it, look and feel more bloated.
Instead, choose some coconut milk keep you hydrated yet avoiding the bloat!
#3: Carbonated Beverages
It comes as no surprise that those fizzy sodas will increase levels of bloating. While it’s a minor inconvenience when not on a period, these aerated drinks could actually worsen your menstrual cramps if you drink them while on your period.
#4: Caffeine
Caffeine could be sustenance to some, but it’s one among the worst beverages to drink while on your period. Caffeine may be a vasoconstrictor that causes blood vessels to constrict. In turn, this might cause vessels resulting in the uterus to tighten, increasing menstrual cramps. This constriction also will cause a rise in vital sign and pulse , resulting in tension and anxiety attacks. The surge in oestrogen levels thanks to the caffeine would also cause worsened period symptoms like bloating. Overall, caffeine on your period is simply an enormous NO-NO!
Instead, choose some caffeine-free herb tea options!
#5: Salty & Processed Food
As if the hormones released while on your period that causes bloating isn’t enough,
Salt is simply a recipe for increased discomfort and bloatedness. To top it off, processed food are typically full of sodium. Reduce your sodium intake and stand back from those chips!
#6: Sugar
I know, I know, sweets are your food during your menstruation. However, your blood glucose level is on a roller coaster ride during your period, and by intaking even more sugar you’re adding fuel to the hearth and disrupting your natural sugar levels even more by letting it rise and drop drastically. this will cause intense mood swings and tension in your body, hence the increased cramps. additionally , sugar is additionally inflammatory, worsening the menstrual cramps further.
However, you would like not completely cut sugar out of your diet! you'll choose natural sugars like fruits, figs or dates, which can keep your blood glucose levels more stable.
#7: Fried Food
Most fried food contain trans-fats and hydrogenated oil . These increase inflammation and oestrogen levels, resulting in worsened menstrual cramps, and other period symptoms.
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