It’s that time of the month again, and if there’s anything we don’t look forward to, it’s the cramps. While some are definitely more prone to menstrual cramps compared to others, certain foods can exacerbate the pain as well. Avoid these foods during your period as they may increase bloating and discomfort, as well as worsen your menstrual cramps.
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Salty Food
Salty foods may make your period worse by causing bloating discomfort, so try to lower your intake in the meantime! That means no to chips, french fries and canned foods. You may want to skip out on hawker centre meals in the meantime, or opt for healthier options!
Coffee
Avoid coffee right before and after your period. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, which makes blood vessels constrict and tighten. This may worsen cramps and cause higher levels of discomfort. If you really can’t function without caffeine, try switching your cup of coffee for some tea, which has significantly less amounts of caffeine.
Sugar
While the sugar cravings can hit hard during your periods, it may be best to skip the sugar or at least limit your intake of it. Consuming too much sugar can lead to spikes in your blood sugar levels, and the crashes are not great. Not only can this result in bad mood swings, it also causes bloating as sugar retains salt and water. Try some natural sweeteners if you really need that those of sugar.
Red Meat
While red meat is a great source of iron, it is also high in saturated fats, which may worsen period pains. Stick to leaner forms of meat such as chicken, or go for fatty fish such as salmon, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids that may ease menstrual pains.
Dairy
Not only will dairy worsen bloating in some people, but it can also exacerbate cramping. Foods like milk, cheese, and ice cream contain arachidonic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid which can increase inflammation.
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