When you’re menstruating, you need to be careful about what you eat. There are a number of foods that should not be eaten during menstruation because it is feared that it can aggravate the symptoms, such as stomach cramps and headaches.
In general, the types of foods that are prohibited during menstruation are unhealthy foods, such as foods that contain high sugar and salt or trans fats.
To help you know and avoid or reduce their consumption, here is a list of foods that should not be eaten during your period.
8 foods not to eat during your period
Did you know that diet and menstruation are related?
According to Healthline, diet has been scientifically proven to be involved in the development of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms or contribute to their severity.
Therefore, it is important for you to recognise a series of foods and drinks that should not be consumed during your period.
1. Foods that are high in salt
One menstrual taboo that should be avoided or reduced as much as possible is high-salt foods.
Quoted from Healthline, consuming large portions of salt has the potential to cause fluid retention and cause flatulence.
As you may already know, flatulence is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome.
In order to relieve flatulence during your period, you should limit your consumption of salt in your diet.
Also, avoid processed foods as they are high in sodium.
2. High-sugar foods
High-sugar foods are also among the food restrictions during menstruation. Actually, you can consume sugar during menstruation, as long as the portion is not excessive.
Consuming excessive sugar during menstruation can trigger a sudden increase in energy, followed by a sudden decrease in energy. This condition can worsen your mood during menstruation.
If you tend to experience mood swings, depression or anxiety during your period, try to watch the amount of sugar you consume.
3. Coffee
Coffee is a drink that should not be drunk during your period.
The reason is that the caffeine contained in coffee can cause fluid retention and flatulence, and aggravate headaches.
However, if you are already addicted to coffee, stopping drinking it abruptly can also cause headaches. This is certainly a dilemma that needs to be resolved.
Therefore, for those of you who drink coffee frequently, you can still drink it within reasonable limits.
Also, keep in mind that coffee can cause digestive problems. If you tend to experience diarrhoea during your period, reducing your coffee servings could be the solution.
4. Alcoholic drinks
Alongside coffee, alcoholic beverages are also among the drinks that are prohibited during menstruation.
Alcohol has various negative effects on the body, which are thought to aggravate the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
For example, alcohol can trigger dehydration, making headaches worse or causing flatulence.
Furthermore, alcohol is said to cause digestive problems, such as diarrhoea and nausea.
Alcohol-induced hangovers can also cause symptoms similar to the following symptoms of premenstrual syndrome.
Headache
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Fatigue.
5. Spicy food
Want to eat spicy food during your period? It’s best to cancel this intention, at least until menstruation is over.
This is to prevent diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea during menstruation.
If your stomach has difficulty tolerating spicy food or you are not used to it, it is best to stay away from these prohibited foods during menstruation.
6. Red meat
Red meat is also included in the list of foods to avoid during menstruation.
The reason is, during menstruation, the body will produce prostaglandins that help the uterus contract and release menstrual blood.
However, high amounts of prostaglandins can actually cause cramps.
Although it is packed with iron, which is good for your health, red meat is high in prostaglandins and should be avoided during menstruation.
7. Foods that contain trans fats
Trans fats are also one of the foods that should not be eaten during menstruation. By avoiding trans fats, stomach pain during menstruation can be alleviated.
Examples of foods that contain trans fats are french fries and other types of fried snacks.
8. Dairy foods and drinks
Dairy products in the form of food and drinks are thought to trigger menstrual cramps.
The reason is that these products contain arachidonic acid which can trigger cramps.
Are there any fruits that should not be consumed during menstruation?
Some women may think that there are fruits that should not be eaten during menstruation. However, this claim is incorrect.
The reason is that fruits are a good source of nutrients and fibre for anyone, including menstruating women.
In fact, a study published in the journal PLoS One found that eating a vegetarian diet and consuming more fruits and vegetables reduced the frequency of cramps and alleviated menstrual pain.
So, the assumption that there are fruits that are prohibited during menstruation is not correct.
If you’re still unsure, it doesn’t hurt to visit your doctor for a consultation.
