Period Pain

Do you experience intense period pain? Period Cramps are very painful and are usually associated with fatigue and interfere with your ability to move around and go through the daily routines. If you find regular medication isn’t helping you with your symptoms, you should try modifying your diet.

Top 6 Foods to relieve period pain

Some of the best food for period pain are light foods, healthy fruits, and vegetables that aren't heavy for your stomach. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds can help decrease inflammation in the body which can help in menstrual cramps. 

The good news is the best foods to relieve period pain can often be found in your fridge! Top health foods on this list are very common and can be of great choice when you’re looking for what to eat when you have menstrual cramps.

1. Bananas

Bananas are very easy to find and known to be extremely helpful for period pain. They are rich in fiber and help in easy bowel movements. As a result, you may feel less bloated and have less pain overall. Bananas are known to reduce the associated pain as they also contain magnesium which is an effective pain reliever.

But as Bananas are also rich in natural sugars, it’s best to eat them in moderation.

2. Lemons

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin C which helps your body absorb iron from the food you eat into your bloodstream and tissues. As you may be losing more red blood cells which your body can keep during your period, it might be helpful to get some extra vitamin C to boost iron absorption. Lemons also contain a lot of fiber, which makes them a superfood for preventing muscle spasms.

3. Oranges

Oranges are known to be a superfood for period pains. Oranges contain more amount of vitamin C than lemons, and they also contain potassium, magnesium, and vitamin D. In fact, oranges have so many of these nutrients as compared to milk. So having a couple of oranges every day may help relieve period cramps and menstrual pain.

4. Watermelon

Watermelon is a sweet and light fruit. You can easily add it into a blender and create a delicious smoothie. In addition to that, being high in water content it will quickly hydrate your body and add small amounts of natural sugars into your bloodstream, which might help with pain and cramping.

5. Broccoli

Broccoli is one of the best foods that help with menstrual pain. The iron and fiber content in broccoli help fight period pain, particularly in your lower abdomen.

6. Kale

Among the other healthy foods that relieve period pain, kale is also a great option. Kale is good food for period cramps as broccoli and other greens are rich in calcium and magnesium. Having a deficiency of calcium can lead to an increase in muscle spasms and contractions.

Nutrients in certain foods directly affect your hormones, muscles, and nerves. They provide a relaxing effect, which may result in a better mood and less pain.

Drinks for period pain relief

You can use food to ease muscle spasms, but beverages can be very effective as well. Here are a couple of drinks that help with period pain:

1. Water

The best drink that might help you ease period pain is water. You lose some of the water from your body when you bleed, and your pain can even become worse when your body becomes dehydrated. Drinking enough water will help your muscles relax and help to avoid bloating and gas.

2. Chamomile

Chamomile tea is a great beverage for menstrual pain due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Chamomile tea may also help with your mood, due to its soothing impact on the nervous system.

3. Ginger tea

In addition to easing period pains, ginger tea also helps with nausea and bloating. Ginger is also known to be a good coffee replacement, as it can energize you and make you feel more awake.

4. Raspberry leaf tea

Raspberry leaf tea is not only tasty, but it also has anti-inflammatory properties that might help reduce period pain.

Foods that can make cramps worse

Lots of foods that you normally eat don’t help with period pain. Here are a few of them:

1. Canned foods

Canned foods can be very high in salt, which can cause more bloating and cramping with very lesser nutrients present in them. Refined products also contain high amounts of unhealthy chemicals used to preserve them. So when you’re on your period, stick to healthy and fresh options.

2. Beans

Normally healthy being rich in fiber and vitamins, beans can upset your stomach during your period as they are heavy on your stomach. It’s better to avoid eating peas and beans during your period and opt for lighter foods instead.

3. Candy

Candy usually doesn’t contain many healthy nutrients and is packed with sugar. Artificial sugar doesn’t help at all with period pain.

4. Fried foods

It’s better to avoid anything that can upset your stomach because your period pain may worsen at the same time. Fried foods can interfere with healthy digestion. During your period, opt for lightly boiled, grilled, or steamed foods.

5. Milk and other dairy products

Milk and other dairy products can generally be a healthy options. As, during the periods, your body is particularly more susceptible to inflammation. The saturated fats in dairy products can trigger inflammation, which can worsen your period pain.

Nevertheless, the calcium in dairy products can help to ease cramps by controlling your muscles’ nerve activity. Calcium deficiencies can increase muscle spasms. Depending on your needs, it can be a good option to consume dairy products but in moderation.

6. Caffeine

Caffeine can worsen pelvic pain before or during your period and can also stimulate stress and irritability.

Take Away

One of the tips to survive period pain is to opt for light, nutrient-rich foods as these foods might help with abdominal pain during your period.

Aside from choosing the right foods to eat during your period to avoid cramps, focus on having multiple, and regular meals. 

Try not to skip meals, as being hungry will only worsen the period pain. Make sure to drink enough water, because dehydration causes muscle spasms, resulting in more intense cramping. If not getting relief from these foods and remedies try out some period pain tablets to get instant relief. But try not to become habitual of any period of pain medicine.

Be kind to your body during your period, get as much rest as you can whenever you don’t have to be active.