A healthy diet and your period – are they related?

Have you ever felt that your period cravings were sabotaging your diet?

Have you ever succumbed to an uncontrollable urge of needing chocolate-covered everything and wondered what was wrong with you?

Well, it’s normal (if not entirely healthy) to have cravings before, during, and after your period. The culprit behind the chocolate binge is “Progesterone,” which peaks just before your period. Progesterone is notorious for causing a larger appetite and foiling your attempts to eat healthy. Additionally, when your mood is at an all-time low (thank you hormones…), comfort eating is an appealing prospect.

Here is what we tend to do!

• Pass the salt: Or pass on the salt... Consuming salt equals water retention which equals bloating, which we really don’t need more of at that time of the month. Try to avoid salty snacks; adding more salt to your food and processed food with oodles of sodium. 
• Sugarcoat it: Well, we can’t sugarcoat the fact that we crave sweets during this time of month. This causes crazy spikes in energy followed closely by super lows. This makes a bad mood even worse… Feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster? Watch your sugar intake and regulate the mood.
• Coffee cravings: No need to go cold turkey, but maybe limit it to that one essential cup in the morning that makes you feel more human. Coffee, like salt, causes water retention and bloating, but can also make headaches worse.
• Alcohol: It’s probably a good idea to skip happy hour, as much as we want to drown our discomfort; perhaps a hot bath would be more helpful during this time of the month. Alcohol dehydrates, causes headaches, bloats, causes digestive issues like nausea… In short, it exacerbates period symptoms – do we need more of what we are trying to escape?
• Spice it up: In the bedroom perhaps, but best to keep the spice off your plate. Some of us find spicy food upsets our stomachs, causing diarrhea, pain, and nausea. Do your tummy a favor and avoid it.
• Meat please: Tempted to curb your hangry pangs with a steak? Your body produces prostaglandins during your period, and this is what brings on the cramps. Red meat is high in iron but also prostaglandins, so if you are extra crampy, perhaps lay off the red meats for a while.
• Known culprits: Food craving can be mildly irrational, so while it may seem obvious, it’s worth emphasizing…if you have food sensitivities, avoid these foods, during your period. Don’t cause your body more stress!

Here is what we should do!

• Water, Baby: Water is your best friend. Granted that you will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom, you will reduce dehydration headaches, which is a symptom of menstruation.
• Fruits: Think water - rich juicy fruits that are sweet and hydrate. Get your water and sugar fix at the same time.
• Leafy greens: Iron levels will dip around this time of the month, which leads to fatigue, dizziness, and sometimes body pain.  Leafy greens like spinach are a great option to counter this.
• Ginger: A warm ginger tea is said to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can soothe aches and cramps. Use with moderation, because while easing nausea, too much ginger can cause heartburn.
• Chicken: Iron and protein rich, without the added worry of cramp causing prostaglandins.
• Fish: Filled with iron, protein, and omega 3 fatty acids, fish can address the dip in iron that many experience during their period. Omega 3 fatty acids are said to reduce the intensity of cramps and are a great mood booster.
• Dark Chocolate: For all the die-hard chocolate fans, here is a healthy option which is rich in iron and magnesium, which can help with PMS symptoms.
• Nuts: Rich with the mood boosting omega 3 fatty acids, nuts are a good source of protein. With the added benefits of magnesium and vitamins, have nuts on their own, or in the form of butters.
• Flaxseed oil: A mega booster when it comes to omega 3 fatty acids, with the added advantage of soothing symptoms of menstruation related constipation.
• Quinoa: A gluten-free source of iron, protein and magnesium it has a low glycemic index, so you will feel full and have energy for a while after eating it.
• Yogurt: Some of us are prone to yeast infections during or after a period. The probiotics in yogurt may help with this, but also contains magnesium and calcium which can replenish your reserves during your period.
• Peppermint tea: Excellent for PMS and relief of menstrual cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.

Remember you are what you eat, and you can help your body out during its monthly refurbishment.

There is no reason to skimp on your daily intimate care routine even while you are on your period, because Rejucream is absolutely safe to use during your menstrual cycle. In fact your period is the time your body needs the most TLC, so nourish your  body from within with healthy food and from outside with Rejuvenate Intimate Care Moisturizer.