Period cramps! Ugh!
Possibly, one of the most inconvenient pains of all time. Not because they’re SO bad (which they can be, and if so, please see a doctor)—but because they make you just want to eat everything. Or nothing, depending on how your body processes periods.
Either response is not ideal.
There are some things that you can eat to help steady your cramps; they won’t necessarily make them BETTER, but they will prevent them from getting worse for various reasons.
1. Chocolate
Yup—dark chocolate is actually pretty good for periods. It contains magnesium, which will help relieve cramps and boost your energy. The endorphins also aren’t a bad thing, either!
2. Spinach and Other Dark Greens
They contain iron and other essential nutrients. When you have your period, you lose iron, and that can make you feel a little groggy (and can also cause a “period cold,” which is the worst)! Replenish that iron with dark greens to fight that fatigue.
3. Iron, Iron, Iron
So, guess what: grab that steak dinner if you want it, and don’t feel bad about it! Other ways to get iron? Lentils, broccoli, tofu, and black beans are even better sources.
4. Sage
Sage helps with digestion and bloating, so it will relax your stomach muscles when they contract and make those period poops more bearable. (I know it’s gross, but someone has to talk about it!) My favorite way to get a bunch of sage in my diet is as tea; there are a bunch of brands that make sage tea bags that are perfect.
There you have it! My tried-and-true list of foods that never fail me during that time of the month. One bonus tip: if I had to pick one food to avoid, it would be dairy. Dairy is essentially your body’s thickening agent. So, it will make cramps a little bit worse by settling in your stomach. It will also cause bloating and general discomfort. So, as tempting as it is to grab an entire pizza, maybe skip it—and have a burger instead.
Do you want to share any other foods that work for you? Comment below!
Raella Rayside
