WHAT FOOD TO AVOID DURING PERIODS
Menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman's monthly cycle. Every month, your body prepares for pregnancy. If no pregnancy occurs, the uterus, or womb, sheds its lining. The menstrual blood is partly blood and partly tissue from inside the uterus. It passes out of the body through the vagina.
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of symptoms that start before the period. It can include emotional and physical symptoms like bloating, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mood swings etc
Many people have these symptoms during menstruation so it is normal. Some foods can lessen them, while some can make it worse.
Eating certain foods while on your period, including fruits and leafy veggies, may reduce symptoms while others, such as spicy foods and red meat, may make them more severe.
Many people have uncomfortable symptoms during menstruation. Some foods can lessen these symptoms, while other foods can make them worse. These symptoms include
- abdominal cramps
- headaches
- backache
- nausea
- fatigue
- bloating
- mood swings
- diarrhea
Here are some items you should avoid during periods:
1. Salt
Consuming lots of salt leads to water retention, which can result in bloating. To reduce bloating, don’t add salt to your food and avoid highly processed foods that contain a lot of sodium.
2. Sugar
It’s OK to have sugar in moderation, but eating too much of it can cause a spike in energy followed by a crash. This can worsen your mood. If you tend to feel moody, depressed, or anxious during your period, watching your sugar intake can help regulate your mood.
3. Coffee
Caffeine can cause water retention and bloating. It can also exacerbate headaches. But caffeine withdrawal can cause headaches, too, so don’t cut out coffee completely if you’re used to having a few cups a day.
Coffee might also cause digestive issues. If you tend to get diarrhea during your period, reducing your coffee intake could stop this from happening.
4. Alcohol
Alcohol can have a number of negative effects on your body, which can exacerbate the symptoms of your period.
For example, alcohol can dehydrate you, which can worsen headaches and cause bloating. It can also lead to digestive issues, such as diarrhea and nausea.
Plus, a hangover can bring on some of the same symptoms that occur during your period, including:
- headaches
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- fatigue
5. Spicy foods
Many people find that spicy foods upset their stomachs, giving them diarrhea, stomach pain, and even nausea. If your stomach struggles to tolerate spicy foods or if you’re not used to eating them, it might be best to avoid them during your period.
6. Red meat
During your period, your body produces prostaglandins. These compounds help your uterus contract and get rid of the uterine lining, resulting in your menstrual flow. However, high levels of prostaglandins cause cramps.
Red meat may be high in iron, but it is also high in prostaglandins and should be avoided during menstruation.
7. High-fat food
These foods, such as burgers, pizza, etc., interfere majorly with your hormones and cause inflammation and increase period pain. Therefore, you must avoid high-fat food, especially during menstruation.
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