Got Period Cramps? Nutritionist Advises Against Eating These 6 Food Items

Period pain can get the best of any menstruators. At times, the pain can be excruciating, and people have to take medicines to manage it apart from hot water compression and other home remedies.

We connected with Mugdha Pradhan, CEO and Founder, iThrive, to understand how different food items can worsen our cramps. She added that severe cramps could be because of health issues like endometriosis, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and pelvic inflammation.

She added that the shedding of the uterine lining during periods requires a hormone called prostaglandin. While some food items can stimulate the production of the hormone in the body, others can worsen the condition. Therefore, it is crucial to watch what you eat during periods, especially if you suffer from cramps.

Here is a list of six food items you must avoid during period cramps:

Coffee

The nutritionist shared that coffee has been linked to the increase in the production of prostaglandins. Therefore, if you experience stomach pain, cramps, and diarrhoea during periods, you must avoid the beverage. It can increase water retention in the body and add to bloating in the stomach.

It has also been associated with narrowing of blood vessels, making it harder for the blood to pass. Hence, it adds to pain and discomfort. It can also add to anxiety and higher levels of cortisol. Thus, your menstrual symptoms can worsen.

Seed Oils

Pradhan advised against consuming seed oils during periods. They have been linked to increasing inflammation in the GI tract. It can add to the severity of cramps.

Dairy Products

The expert said that dairy products contain arachidonic acids that can make your cramps more painful. These food items, especially cheese, have been associated with an increase in inflammation.

Nowadays these products have chemicals too, which can lead to hormonal imbalance in the body. Women suffering from PCOS (Manage PCOS) or endometriosis should consult their doctors or nutritionists about their diet and eat accordingly.

Food Items Containing Gluten

The nutritionist said that many women have reported experiencing relief from menstrual cramps when they switched to a gluten-free diet. It was a special case with a sample of women suffering from celiac disease in which a person’s small intestines become hypersensitive to gluten.

If you think that after eating chapati and paratha, you experience indigestion, you should get yourself tested for the disease. You should consult your doctor or a nutritionist for an appropriate diet that can help you tackle the problem as well as cramps.

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Processed Food

According to the nutritionist, processed food items can alter a person’s hormonal balance. Many of them have high amounts of fat that can even make you feel gassy. These food items are rich in saturated fat content and can increase the production of prostaglandins. Therefore, you must avoid burgers, pizza, aerated drinks, and cream-based desserts.

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Sugar

Processed sugar is bad for your body in many ways. The nutritionist said that it interferes with oestrogen, blood sugar levels, and testosterone in your body. Hence, she also suggested avoiding chocolate. Pradhan added that if you crave chocolate, you should eat dark chocolate instead. It can help to reduce cramps.

Stay tuned to HerZindagi for more diet and nutrition tips.