10 food options for period pain & a few that don’t help

Many women suffer from menstrual cramps, whether it’s every month or every once in a while. So we’re always looking for ways to help during that time of the month, where food for period pain comes in.

Period pains can range from light cramping, or they can be extremely debilitating. 

For women with severe menstrual cramping, it’s crucial you seek medical help to manage your symptoms. For those with less severe cramping, pain killers or water bottles might help alleviate the pain.

There are also things you can eat to help reduce the cramping.

10 beneficial options of food for period pain

1. Bananas

Bananas are a beneficial food for period pain. They are packed full of fibre and can help you have regular bowel movements.

This may help make you feel less bloated as well. Bananas also contain magnesium, which can help and is very effective in relaxing muscles, which might help reduce cramping.

2. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an excellent food for period pain; many women use cinnamon to regulate their periods. This improves pelvic blood flow.

This is also a helpful useful tool to stop heavy bleeding.

3. Lemons

Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which can help your body absorb iron from your food into your bloodstream.

They can help keep you hydrated and also help keep your bowels moving and make you feel less gassy.

4. Broccoli

Broccoli is packed with fibre and iron, making it a great food for period pain. Moreover, broccoli has been found to help reduce multiple symptoms of PMS.

5. Salad

Salads, particularly lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, are loaded with natural magnesium. When looking at food for period pain, it’s good to include magnesium options.

Eating food that contains magnesium, which is a natural muscle relaxant, may help ease the pain from menstrual cramps.

5. Milk

Milk contains calcium, which is said to help fight muscle spasms and avoid menstrual cramps. Increasing milk consumption will help you in many ways, which makes it the perfect food for period pain.

However, too much dairy can lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhoea.

6. Chocolate

Experts believe chocolate could help reduce the symptoms of the menstrual cramps we suffer each month.

This is because it may help balance your blood sugar levels and makes it a great food for period pain, which is why women often crave something sweet.

Dark chocolate contains more antioxidants and less processed sugar, making it the perfect sweet treat.

7. Chamomile tea

Chamomile tea has anti-inflammatory properties, which help to reduce menstrual cramping pains.

This herbal drink can also help stabilise your mood and nervous system.

9. Salmon

Including more salmon or other cold-water fish into your diet will help you with menstrual cramps. Being full of omega-3 fatty acids makes these fish, great foods for period pain as they help with inflammation. Reducing inflammation helps to reduce general pain, including the pain of menstrual cramps, according to one small trial.

10. Oats

Oats are not only full of fibre, helping you feel fuller for longer, but they also contain zinc and magnesium. Magnesium is an excellent ingredient in food for period pain because it relaxes blood vessels and can help regulate serotonin which is beneficial to your mental health.

Check out this oat recipe to help include this food for period pain into your healthy meal plan.

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5 Foods and habits that can make menstrual cramps worse

1. Beans

Beans might upset your stomach and make you feel gassy and bloated, so they don’t make great food for period pain. Canned foods are high in salt, which causes more bloating and cramping.

2. Sugar

Artificial sugar can make period cramps worse. What’s more, sugar can cause inflammation and heavy flow, so they are definitely not food for period pain but one to avoid.

3. Fried food

Fried foods can slow digestion and leave you feeling more bloated, which doesn’t help with menstrual cramps. For food for period pain, it’s best to stick to steamed or grilled meat.

4. Caffeine

You might feel like a strong coffee will work to get you through the pain of menstrual cramps, however, caffeine can worsen pelvic pain before or during your period.

5. Skipping meals

Even if the period pain is unbearable, skipping meals might worsen the menstrual cramping. So, rather than skipping meals if you want food for period pain, you should ensure you’re drinking enough water and staying hydrated to lessen the severity of the cramping.

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