That time of the month always seems to come too soon. Ladies, we feel your mood swings, cramps, bloating and everything beyond that.

period

GIF courtesy of tumblr.com

Luckily for me, my mom has guided me through menstrual problems by feeding me the right things at the right time. Her tips seem a bit strange, but they’ve always made my period pains vanish. After seeing my own friends suffer, I’ve decided to put together a list of tips that will help alleviate menstrual discomfort.

Don’t eat “cold” & raw food.

period

Photo by Courtney Cheng

This includes cold drinks as well as raw fruits and vegetables. While fruits and veggies are essential, avoid these “cold” ones: apple, cantaloupe, celery, citrus fruits, cucumber, kiwi, strawberry, pear and watermelon.

These foods take extra energy to digest, which drains your body of energy and over time, blocks energy flow. Accumulated blocking of energy flow will make periods more painful. Colder temperature foods or drinks also constrict blood flow, making it harder for your uterus to shed. Perhaps you should skip the ice cream next time…

Do consume ginger.

period

Photo courtesy of nutritionsecrets.com

Remember those “cold” foods mentioned above? Well, ginger is a “warm” food that increases energy flow in the body and allows blood to flow freely, letting your period pass by smoothly and quickly.

Scientifically speaking, prostaglandin constricts blood vessels to stop bleeding, causing cramps. Ginger inhibits prostaglandin, which means you’ll have less painful cramps and swelling. It also promotes blood circulation, so your period will subside faster.

Don’t consume coffee.

period

Photo by Gabby Phi

While you may need that daily cup of joe (or two) to be functional, studies show that caffeine increases levels of anxiety. Your blood vessels contract when caffeine is present in your body, which worsens menstrual cramps. Also, for those with loose stool while on their periods, adding caffeine to your diet will make it difficult for your body to retain water and worsen diarrhea.

The time of the month has already got us at the edge of our sanity, so combining coffee and your period may not be the best idea.

Do eat greens.

period

Photo by Irene Kim

Losing a lot of blood can cause iron deficiency, which can cause lightheadedness or nausea. To counteract this problem, stock up on darker greens, like spinach, kale and broccoli to get your iron levels back up, but avoid eating them raw. For spinach, sautée with minced garlic and olive oil for a warm, flavorful bundle of nutrients!

Do eat liver.

period

Photo courtesy of barfblog.com

This may sound gross, but liver contains a lot of iron. A 3-ounce serving of beef liver contains 5 milligrams of iron, 11 milligrams for chicken liver and 13.4 milligrams for pork liver. If you’re not a big fan of leafy greens, use this to replenish all the iron you’ve lost.

Above all, remember always to consume things in moderation, rest plenty and know that it’s okay to binge on Netflix in bed all day long.

period

GIF courtesy of tumblr.com