Bid PMS Goodbye with these Great Foods

Your monthly menstrual visit is usually the cause of mood swings, irritability, fatigue and the most common food cravings. When it’s nearly your time of the month, you experience intense cravings for sugary, caffeinated and junk foods thinking that these can make you feel just a bit better.

We hate to be the bearer of bad news but all of these food choices will only make your PMS symptoms worse. Anything sugary, made mainly from processed ingredients or even too spicy can send your hormones into overdrive. No need to be distressed because the solution to this problem is simply a proper diet at least one to two weeks before your cycle starts.

Pepitas

Most commonly known as pumpkin seeds, pepitas are healthy snacks rich in zinc, omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium. About a quarter cup of this contains half of the recommended daily magnesium intake. Magnesium is essential in helping to alleviate stress and soothe the nerves. These also contain natural anti-inflammatory properties, a big savior when it comes to the bloating problem. Whenever you’re itching to eat something unhealthy like potato chips, snacking on pumpkin seeds is a better option.

 

Broccoli

This cruciferous vegetable, high in magnesium and calcium, is the best solution for menstrual cramps. A daily serving of broccoli days before your menstrual cycle will boost the mineral and vitamin content, keeping the body stable even when hormones spike.

 

Eggs

Eating eggs during and before your cycle will boost your mood and lessen PMS symptoms like anxiety and depression. Eggs can also help boost concentration especially on days when you have a ton of work to do. Omega-3 fats present in eggs also ease headaches and bloating. Go for the organic option because those are richer in omega-3.

Popcorn

Yes, something more delicious and enjoyable to eat. With our hormones constantly seesawing, nobody will be pleased to always eat a vegetable-based diet days before our menstrual cycle. Popcorn is a safe non-GMO snack you can munch on. Research shows that popcorn does not aggravate inflammation in the body.

 

Artichokes

Foods high with fiber will be able to help in dealing with one of the worse symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome: bloating. 100 grams of artichoke contains about 5 grams dietary fiber. Artichokes also have the ability to cleanse the liver, which helps in decreasing stress, anxiety, cramps and headache. Grill or roast some artichokes on days before your menstrual cycle start to lessen bloating symptoms.

 

Kale

Being calcium deficient is directly linked to most of the symptoms of PMS. Weeks before your cycle, it is necessary to eat foods rich in essential vitamins and minerals in order to ease the effects of hormonal imbalance. Although dairy is also a great source of calcium, it can also worsen inflammation in the body. Eat kale, another cruciferous vegetable rich in calcium, for a better and safer calcium source. This is one trendy superfood that lives up to all the hype because of its important health benefits. Now you’ll know why people in the West are all about kale.