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5 surprising foods that will help ease period pains
As far as I see it, there are two things that are inevitable in life: when you're stuck in traffic, your lane will always be moving the slowest and period pains will leave you reaching for the nearest bar of chocolate - even the dark stuff!
But what if there other foods to be found that were scientifically proven to help ease your suffering?
Well Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, author of The Better Period Food Solution, says there are, but her recommendations might surprise you.
'The food you choose to eat has a direct impact on the health of your period,' she says. And, according to her, there are certain dietary choices which can heal your body, while others can aggravate it.
5 foods that help alleviate period pain
1. Natural yoghurt.
It has to the be the probiotic kind though. This is full of calcium which has been found to help ease menstrual cramps. Not only that, one large study found a diet with calcium-rich dairy products lowered the risk for developing PMS by as much as 40% (it's a dairy-based miracle!) Probiotic yoghurt always contains 'friendly' bacteria which supports a healthy digestive system and may help to ease persistent bloating. Sprinkle some flax seeds over it, an anti-inflammatory food, to maximise the medicinal mouthful.
2. Watermelon
That's right, this juicy fruit helps you stay hydrated, can help you control bloating and prevent the constipation that women can commonly experience during their menstrual cycle. Plus, it's packed with nutrients like vitamin B6, which studies show can ease the irritability, bloating, and anxiety linked to menstrual cramps.
3. Oats
Yes, your humble bowl of porridge might actually be doing much more than filling you up – let it live out it's potential! Oats are rich in heart-healthy fibre, whole grains, and vitamin B1 – a water-soluble vitamin that will have you feeling more human during your period by breaking down carbohydrates in your body, and allowing more mood-boosting neurotransmitters to get to your brain. Quite literally, happiness in a bowl.
4. Steak
Red meat is the richest dietary source of iron, which – if you suffer from heavy periods – could be exactly what your body needs. It's very common for women to be low on iron during this time of the month, and the biggest sign is feeling drained. If you're not a meat eater, or are trying Veganuary, then just fill up on some spinach, beans and lentils.
5. Ginger
While we're not expecting you to gnaw on a stem of ginger whenever PMS strikes, adding it to tea is a great way to reduce abdominal cramping. In a 2009 study, 150 women were instructed to take 1 g of ginger powder per day, for the first 3 days of their period. Ginger managed to reduce pain as effectively as the drugs mefenamic acid (an anti-inflammatory painkiller) and ibuprofen.
To make your own ginger tea, just add slices of peeled ginger to hot water with a squeeze of lemon and let it steep for five minutes. You can sip on this throughout the day.
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