Should There Be Dietary Restrictions During Menstruation? 12 Foods to Avoid When on Your Period
Spicy food should not be consumed during menstruation. Spicy food may stimulate the uterus, causing menstrual pain to worsen, and may also increase abdominal discomfort.
Coffee and carbonated drinks should be avoided as much as possible during menstruation. Caffeine in coffee can stimulate the nervous system, increasing the likelihood of menstrual pain. The bubbles in carbonated drinks can cause abdominal distension and increased stomach acid, worsening discomfort.
Excessive intake of sugary foods such as chocolate and candies should be avoided during menstruation. High sugar content may cause fluctuations in blood sugar, affecting mood and internal balance.
High-salt foods such as instant noodles and pickled products should be limited during menstruation. High-salt foods can lead to water retention in the body, worsening abdominal and breast pain.
Cold foods such as raw fruits and ice cream should be avoided during menstruation. Cold foods may slow down blood circulation, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts.
Fried foods should not be consumed during menstruation. Fried foods can increase the burden on the stomach and intestines, worsening abdominal discomfort, and may cause diarrhea and bloating.
Intake of dairy products should be minimized during menstruation. Fat and saturated fatty acids in dairy products can increase fat synthesis in the endometrium, possibly worsening menstrual pain.
Red meat such as beef and lamb should be avoided during menstruation. Saturated fatty acids in red meat can aggravate the inflammatory response of the endometrium, leading to worsened menstrual pain.
Alcohol should be avoided during menstruation. Alcohol can dilate blood vessels and may lead to unstable blood coagulation, worsening menstrual pain.
Salted fish and pickled foods should be avoided during menstruation. The salt content in these foods can cause edema, worsening abdominal discomfort.
High-sugar foods such as cakes and desserts should be avoided during menstruation. High-sugar foods may cause fluctuations in blood sugar, worsening emotional fluctuations and menstrual pain.
Barbecued foods should be avoided during menstruation. Carcinogenic substances in barbecued foods may stimulate the uterus, causing endometrial inflammation and worsening menstrual pain.
During menstruation, some foods must be carefully avoided to prevent discomfort or worsening of symptoms. Avoiding spicy, high-sugar, high-salt, cold, fried, dairy products, red meat, alcohol, salted fish, pickled foods, cakes and desserts, and barbecued foods can better alleviate menstrual pain, abdominal bloating, and emotional fluctuations during menstruation. Women should pay attention to dietary combinations, eating more light and digestible foods such as porridge, vegetables, and fruits, maintaining a good mindset and balanced nutrition to have a comfortable menstruation period.