Foods That Help With Cramps
Do you experience intense period cramping? Cramps are not only painful but also usually associated with fatigue and interfere with your ability to move around and go through your daily routines. If regular medication isnt enough to help ease your symptoms, you may want to try modifying your diet. What foods might help to ease period cramps and which are best to avoid during your period? Flo compiled a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid if you are experiencing severe cramping.
What Not To Drink
Not only do you need to know what TO drink to relieve menstrual cramps, but also what NOT TO drink. Remember these two facts and youll save yourself some cramping.
1. Stay away from drinks loaded with sugar.
The reason why these are a bad idea is that sugary foods end up robbing the body of calcium and magnesium. These minerals are stolen from the blood, and then reserves in the bone have to replenish them. You end up with lower levels of calcium and magnesium in your body, which can then cause more cramps. Foods high in sugar also will cause blood sugar fluctuations that can be responsible for mood swings, another symptom commonly found in women with PMS.
2. Forget the Alcohol
Yep, just forget it. Its not worth the cramps. Alcohol lowers magnesium levels and the result for you is menstrual cramps.
Now, youve got the answers for:
- what to drink when you have period cramps
- do cold drinks make menstrual cramps worse?
- do hot drinks help menstrual cramps?
- what are the best hot or cold drinks for menstrual cramps?what are the best drinks for menstrual cramps?
One other thing your mom didnt tell you because she didnt know this: dont forget to take your period vitamin. It could save you some serious cramps.
Foods To Eat When You Have Period Cramps
- Salmon contains omega-3s that can help reduce inflammation related to period pain.
- Leafy greens such as kale and spinach can offset monthly iron loss.
- Foods rich in magnesium, like oats and dark chocolate, may also help.
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Periods are the worst. The combination of cramps, bloating, and mood swings can make you want to dive face-first into an entire chocolate cake when yours starts and although it may taste amazing, the sad news is that it won’t help with your physical symptoms.
What you can do besides stocking up on NSAIDs, or sewing a bunch of heating pads into a convenient robe and bingeing all the Netflix you can stand is shift your diet to include some foods that actually help.
Here’s what you should stuff in your face to put those cramps in their place.
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Foods That Fight Inflammation
Naturally, eating foods that decrease inflammation in the body will help to tame menstrual cramps. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Research has shown that both a vegetarian and plant-based eating pattern work to decrease inflammation in the body. This decrease is due to the high number of antioxidants and plant chemicals found in plant foods that help the body to function optimally.,,
There is a connection between the food you eat and your bodys estrogen levels. Animal products and added oils increase the levels of estrogen in the body. The more estrogen-based foods you consume, the more likely your uterine lining becomes abnormally thick. As a result, when it begins to break down during the menstrual cycle, this process creates more prostaglandins, resulting in higher levels of pain.
What A Girl Should Not Eat During Periods
Steer clear of fried food and readymade snacks including packaged food since they are rich in salt and sodium. Consumption of excess salt causes water retention that leads to bloating during your period, said Dr Patil. In fact, also avoid spicy food since it can upset your stomach and cause acid refluxes.
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A Closer Look At Estrogen
There may be a more fundamental approach. Rather than focusing on the prostaglandins themselves, it may help to look at the cellular factories that make them. Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills, lower the production of prostaglandins by slowing the growth of the uterus lining. As a result, 90% of women who take birth control pills experience reduced menstrual pain. However, diet changes may lead to similar results.
Estrogens are female sex hormones, a sort of hormonal fertilizer that makes the cells of the body grow. In every monthly menstrual cycle, the estrogen levels in a womans body rises and falls. These hormones are responsible for breast development at puberty, and each month they cause the lining of the uterus to thicken in anticipation of pregnancy.
Estrogen gradually rises as a womans period ends and falls again at the start of a new cycle. Then, for about two weeks, the hormone rises toward a peak and falls quickly around the time of ovulation. It rises again in the second half of the month and then falls just before the next period for a total of two rises and falls throughout the cycle. The uterus sheds its lining in a menstrual flow, accompanied by crampy pain.
Water Is A Universal Solution To The Pain
The importance of hydration has already been explained by thousands of studies. Well, we wont add anything entirely new. Drinking still water will make digestion easier and prevent bloating the main cause of cramps.
As an alternative, try detox water based on fruits or vegetables. Add a few slices of lemon, a few mint leaves, or even berries to make your day brighter. You deserve it during periods.
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Best Foods That Help With Period Cramps
Period cramps are no fun. For some people, the cramps are mild. For others, it is completely debilitating. Period cramps are caused by the release of prostaglandins – hormone-like chemicals which cause the uterine muscles to contract, resulting in cramps and pain. Pain caused by prostaglandins is most common one to two days before your period and can continue for the first few days. Pain that is burning, stabbing or shooting or forces you to rearrange your day to spend it at home watching tv should be evaluated by a health professional, and could be a sign of endometriosis.
Hot Drinks To Soothe Menstrual Cramps
Written and verified byDoctor.
27 May, 2022
Menstruation normally happens once a month. Unfortunately, many women experience pain, cramps, and overall discomfort. However, you should know that there are some methods to soothe menstrual cramps, such as hot drinks.
Naturally, we first recommend following a healthy diet to prevent and treat menstrual cramps. Additionally, its best to avoid drinking caffeine during your menstrual period, as it can cause anxiety and make you retain water.
In addition to avoiding coffee, you can use other types of drinks that have great benefits for womens health. These teas will be great allies to you.
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Get More Calcium Into Your Diet
Studies have shown that calcium not only helps reduce mentstrual cramps, but it can also alleviate other PMS symptoms such as moodiness and fatigue.
Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt are rich in calcium. If you’re lactose intolerant or prefer a dairy-free dairy, non-dairy sources of calcium include fresh dill and dark, leafy greens.
Why Do I Poop So Much On My Period
These chemicals stimulate the smooth muscles in your uterus to help it contract and shed its lining each month. If your body produces more prostaglandins than it needs, they’ll enter your bloodstream and have a similar effect on other smooth muscles in your body, like in your bowels. The result is more poop.
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Questions About Drinks In General For Your Period
First off, we’ll tackle some different types of drinks so you’ll have a general idea of what is ok and what to avoid. You can then rearrange your kitchen, so you aren’t tempted to drink those forbidden beverages while you’re having menstrual cramps.Are Energy Drinks Bad for Your Period?
If you’re a Red Bull fiend, then we’re sorry to disappoint you here.
Caffeine may increase your cramps, and energy drinks are chockful of caffeine. They can also cause vasoconstriction, which is where your blood vessels narrow. As a result, your pains can feel even worse!
On that note, you might be wondering if fizzy drinks and period pain mix. Truth be told, you should avoid fizzy drinks on your period since most have caffeine in them.
Drinks That Help With Period Cramps According To A Nutritionist
Painful periods can be quite a nightmare. And along with the bloating, mood fluctuations, and nausea, those days during your period can seem forever. You may also experience crazy and insatiable food cravings for sugary and salty foods.
Most painkillers provide relief for periods but have you ever thought of using natural remedies instead? There are several foods and drinks that are said to help with period pain and help keep your energy levels up. We explore drinks that might help with period cramps and those you should avoid.
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Lets Look At Some Real Answers To What To Drink To Relieve Menstrual Cramps Heres A List Of Five Things That Should Help
1. Water
Hot water is better than cold water when you have cramps because your body can make immediate use of the hot water without having to use body temperature to warm it up.
But why not add some herbs to the hot water so you can double the potency?
Add some raspberry leaf tea, which has been known for centuries to stop cramps. Use the standard one teaspoon herbs per cup of boiling hot water, and dont be afraid of toxicity. It doesnt exist with raspberry tea.
The reason why you want to up your water in your diet during this time of the month is that water contributes to the rinsing cycle of your body, and rinses out the toxins that the menstrual flow is pulling out of your body.
Foods are also a good source of water, so eating cucumbers, celery, watermelon, lettuce, and berries is always a great idea, too.
2. Yogurt Smoothies
Yogurt smoothies are like raspberry tea they do double duty to help you meet your goal of finding the answer of what to drink to relieve menstrual cramps and provide extra calcium with probiotics. The calcium could relieve cramps by itself the probiotics makes sure that youre not constipated. Constipation increases cramps.
3. Green Drink Smoothies
High magnesium foods like dark leafy greens are easily added to the blender along with an apple, protein shake mix, berries, and a tablespoon of green herb powder .
4. Ginger Tea
5. Prune Juice
Other Options For Cramp Relief
Drinking more water and herbal tea can give you some relief, but if you have serious cramping, there are other things you can do to feel better fast.
- Heating patches. Heating patches are designed to be worn on the outside of your underwear. Raels healing patches create a gentle, warm sensation that naturally helps you get relief for hours. Made with natural, plant-based ingredients, theyre the perfect way to get the warmth and relief you need without bringing a heating pad everywhere you go .
- Exercise. Its probably the last thing you feel like doing, but exercise releases endorphins and encourages blood flow to your muscles, which can help ease your cramps. Theres also the mood-enhancing benefit of exercise, which makes it an even easier choice for you to take a quick walk or jog.
- Give yourself a time out. If youre feeling overwhelmed by cramps, stress, and other PMS-related symptoms, take time out to meditate, be silent, or just relax. Even a ten minutes break can make you feel better and help you relax and get relief. While youre at it, pop on a sheet mask to ensure your skin is getting everything it needs to stay hydrated and healthy. Rael has a collection of sheet masks to give your skin whatever it needs no matter where you are in your cycle.
When cramps get super intense, grabbing a glass of water or tea and a heating patch can be the perfect combination to help you feel better.
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How To Reduce Menstrual Pain Instantly
There are many natural ways to relieve menstrual pain. Some women swear by cinnamon essential oil, while others try ginger. Either way, whichever method you choose, youll feel relief instantly. Read on for more tips. Below are a few methods.
Here are some you can try to help reduce menstrual pain immediately. We hope you find something that works for you! Just be sure to use common sense and be careful not to go overboard!
Cutting down on caffeine consumption can help prevent painful bloating. Other natural remedies include drinking hot water or herbal tea. Eating water-based foods is also good for your health. Try avoiding foods high in saturated or trans fats.
Avoid processed foods and dairy products and consume plenty of leafy green vegetables. Those with severe cramps may want to consult their doctor. They can help rule out other potential health problems and suggest treatment.
Acupuncture and tea to relieve menstrual pain
Acupuncture and tea can help relieve menstrual pain. The herbs chamomile and peppermint have restorative properties that can reduce the intensity of cramps. Peppermint oil can also reduce pain. Other teas with aromatherapy such as lavender or rose will be beneficial.
Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to talk to your doctor first if youre on blood-thinning medication or taking any type of pain medication.
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Drinks To Help Period Cramps
Checked and approved by: Dr Anne Henderson, Consultant Gynaecologist, British Menopause Society Accredited Specialist, Medico-legal expert MA MB BChir MRCOG
Period cramps can be hard to put up with every month but, good news, you don’t have to! Read my blog and watch my video below to find out 6 great drinks that can help your painful period cramps.
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Can I Drink Milk During My Period
Dairy isnt a smart choice. Dairy is a major part of a well-balanced diet, but eating too much cheese or consuming too many milk-based products on your period can cause your period cramps to worsen. In fact, dairy can lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea, according to Healthline. So, play it safe and skip the ice cream.
Even Doctors Agree That Alcohol During Periods Can Make You Irritable And Increase Period Cramps Heres Why
We all dread our period days, dont we? Mood swings, cramps, severe backache, and what not pins us down during this time. We want to reach out to anything and everything that helps us mellow down the sinister symptoms of PMS.
But today we want to warn you about something that you must stay away from, especially when youre on your periods. Alcohol, yes thats the word. When aunt Flo strikes, make sure to keep all types of alcohol out of sight.
Thats because when you are on your period, muscle cramps are already bothersome. And alcohol just makes it worse!
Its true, confirms a top gynaecologist
According to Dr Swati Gaikwad, consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Pune, drinking alcohol on a regular basis can worsen your cramps owing to increased water retention.
It is shocking that one may even bloat due to the increased water retention in the body. This, in turn, leads to those painful cramps. Not just this, but alcohol consumption leads to dehydration and raises your chances of getting those cramps, she says.
Dr Gaikwad adds, Due to constant cramps and headache, a womans periods tend to become lighter. Likewise, periods may become irregular as well. You will have to make those constant trips to the washroom after drinking alcohol, and this frequent urination may also dehydrate those consuming alcohol. Also, your cramps will be there for a longer period, as the cramps can intensify.
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Ginger Tea To Soothe Menstrual Cramps
Second, ginger tea is another hot drink that can work wonders to soothe menstrual cramps.
Like chamomile, it has anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help with painful cramps,since it plays a key role in reducing prostaglandin levels.
Also, if your period is accompanied by nausea, upset stomach and general discomfort, ginger can help alleviate these problems.
You can increase your consumption of ginger by adding it to soups or shakes. However, we think that ginger tea is the most delicious way to consume it. As an additional benefit, it also helps regulate irregular periods, as well as combat fatigue.
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How To Reprogram Those Cravings
Youre not going to go from loving brownies and chips to appreciating salads overnight, but its possible to make better choices gradually. Dr. McClure recommends not just making healthy swaps around period time but changing the way you eat overall, so its easier to stay on track when your cycle starts. For example, instead of finding comfort in your favorite chocolate dessert, she suggests going for a small piece of dark chocolate.
Its really about reprogramming and changing the foods that youre going for. In the beginning, it might be tough to make a complete switch from hot fudge sundaes to healthier foods, but its possible. For instance, if you want dessert, switch to something like a small piece of dark chocolate. Youll still get the antioxidants from the chocolate that youre craving only not in a large amount and with less sugar. Eventually, you can make a goal to try to avoid sweets altogether.
Dr. McClure also recommends cutting back on caffeine and alcohol as well because these beverages can dehydrate you. If you simply cant live without coffee, she suggests that you have a cup in the morning, then switch to drinking water the rest of the day. She adds that sipping water throughout the day can actually help keep you awake. But if you find water is boring, just add some of your favorite fresh flavors to it like lemon slices, berries, herbs or cucumbers.
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