It’s that time of the month — your uterus feels like it’s waging a ruthless war on your body causing cramps that make you want to lay in bed and do nothing by sob. But, in addition to applying heat, drinking peppermint tea, and taking Midol, you can help ease cramp pain by avoiding certain types of food. No, seriously.
"Research suggests that women who suffer from PMS symptoms, including cramps, are likely to have elevated inflammation markers," licensed nutritionist Monica Reinagel told INSIDER. "Although this needs to be studied further, it's possible that following an anti-inflammatory diet could help reduce those symptoms. In a nutshell, follow a Mediterranean style diet pattern."
With that advice in mind, here are the main foods you should avoid if you’re suffering from period cramps:
SEE ALSO: 7 foods to avoid when you have a stomachache
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1. No added sugar.
As tasty and delicious as high-sugar foods are, the unfortunate truth is giving into sugar-filled cravings on your period can disrupt your body's natural blood sugar levels, according to Livestrong. In turn, this can lead to intense mood swings and tension in your body — hence the increased cramp pains. Limiting or cutting out high-sugar foods entirely during this time of the money will help stabilize your mood and, hopefully, reduce cramp pain.
2. Say goodbye to refined foods.
From flour to ever-delicious grains, refined foods are made of simple carbohydrates and often have a ton of hidden sugars. Not to mention the fact that many refined foods, like white bread, cereal, and rice have very little nutritional value. But, if your body is craving a hearty piece of toast, opt for whole grains over the refined options. Your body will thank you.
3. Fried foods are the enemy.
This sounds like a no-brainer, but sometimes you just can't help but crave a slice of pizza, pile of French fries, or doughnuts on your period. That's totally fine, but fried foods can actually cause inflammation, which may be linked to increased pain during your period, according to a study by the Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Thankfully, you can reduce your painful period cramps by opting for a snack free of grease.
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