As good as having a bowl of your favorite ice cream along with chilling at home to get relief from severe cramps and period pain may sound? It is not so. Avoid eating or drinking cold foods and beverages during periods.

How Bad is Consuming Iced Food During the Mensuration Cycle

How bad is consuming iced food during the menstruation cycle?

As good as having a bowl of your favorite ice cream along with chilling at home to get relief from severe cramps and period pain may sound?  It is not so. Avoid eating or drinking cold foods and beverages during periods. 

“Prostaglandins” are the reason that consuming cold foods and beverages like ice creams, cold water or soft drinks, etc. during periods makes the cramps worse. Prostaglandins are natural chemicals present in the body which are responsible for contractions in the uterus, to shed the endometrium (the inner lining of the uterus). This is how you get your period.

High levels of prostaglandins in the body are responsible for sharp menstrual pain and cramps. Dairy products such as ice creams have arachidonic acid in them. This can cause a rise in the prostaglandin levels in the body, and worsen the cramps. If you suffer from severe cramps during periods, it’s better if you skip ice creams.

 

  1. What can they have and have not food during the period?

AVOID

  • Alcohol
  • Coffee
  • Caffeinated drinks
  • Processed foods
  • Foods high in fats
  • Dairy products
  • Fried foods
  • Refined grains
  • Foods with a high salt content

 

EAT THESE

  • Dark Chocolate
  • Bananas/ Pineapple 
  • Salmon 
  • Yogurt/ plain dahi
  • Whole grains
  • Watermelon
  • Herbal Teas
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Coconut water

 

DO THIS

  • Exercise
  • Meditate
  • Me-Time
  • Apply heat
  • Use essential oils on the tummy (always dilute essential oils)
  • Warm showers
  • Breathwork

 

  1. Suggestions for girls who get heavy periods
  • Placing a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen or the areas of pain or cramps can reduce muscle spasms and thus give relief from period cramps.
  • If you bleed heavily for a few days, your blood volume could get too low. Drinking 4 to 6 extra cups of water each day can help to maintain your blood volume. You can add electrolytes to have a balance.
  • Cook in cast iron pots to increase iron absorption. Eat a diet rich in iron (beans, tofu, eggs, spinach, chicken) coupled with good vitamin C intake.
  • For easy blood flow, drink warm water and avoid very cold and sugary items to keep away inflammation.
  • Incorporate healthy fats like avocado, nuts, fish, ghee, and olive oil.
  • Be active. Walking, yoga and light-weight training depend on the severity of pain and bleeding.

 

  1. Home Remedies for painful periods
  • Chamomile and peppermint teas are often recommended for menstrual pain because they are calming to the body
  • An herbal tea with ginger & black pepper lowers prostaglandins thereby reducing period pain.
  • Cumin seed water (jeera) has anti-spasmodic & anti-inflammatory benefits and gives instant relief from bloating & gas.
  • CCF (cumin seed + coriander seeds + fennel seed) helps with menstrual cramps. To a saucepan, add 2 cups of water + 1 tsp of each seed and boil. Turn off the heat and let it seep for 5 minutes. Strain and drink.
  • You can reduce period pain with the help of fenugreek seeds. All you need to do is soak it in water for 12 hours, and then drink it up.
  • A bit of turmeric and nutmeg can be taken in warm almond milk or regular milk before bed can help you sleep better.