The Importance of Nutrition for Women During Menstruation
In today’s fast-paced world, many women find themselves overwhelmed with work and studies, leaving little time for self-care. Additionally, with the general access to sufficient nutrition, some may question the necessity of dietary supplements. However, it is essential to tailor dietary choices according to individual health conditions.
During menstruation, women may experience various symptoms such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual cramps, and heavy bleeding. While younger women might overlook these issues, they can become more pronounced with age. Symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, mood swings, headaches, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, and acne can be prevented through proper nutritional care. With the right support, you can maintain a youthful appearance and overall well-being throughout your menstrual cycle.
What to Eat During Your Period
During menstruation, it is crucial to consume foods that promote blood flow and replenish vital nutrients. Recommended foods include lamb, chicken, red dates, tofu skin, apples, barley, milk, brown sugar, and longan. These warm foods can help ease symptoms and provide necessary nourishment.
If you experience symptoms like loss of appetite or back pain, opt for nutritious, easy-to-digest foods such as jujubes, noodles, and barley porridge. To maintain a balanced diet, ensure you incorporate fresh vegetables and fruits. Fresh produce not only tastes better but also retains more nutrients.
Avoid Cold Foods and Embrace Warm Meals
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, warm food aids blood circulation while cold food may stagnate it. Eating cold foods during your period can hinder digestion and harm your body's Yang energy, leading to internal coldness. This can restrict menstrual flow and cause discomfort. Even during hot summer months, it’s advisable to avoid cold drinks.
Instead, focus on warm meals containing kelp, red dates, millet, barley, lamb, and apples, and steer clear of cold or slippery foods such as pears, water chestnuts, winter melon, and certain greens.
Prevent Iron Deficiency with a Balanced Diet
Iron is an essential trace element vital for the production of hemoglobin and various enzymes, as well as for overall immune function and energy metabolism. During menstruation, women often experience increased iron loss, making it important to consume foods rich in iron. Foods like fish, lean meat, animal liver, and blood offer highly bioavailable iron, while plant sources such as soybeans and spinach have lower absorption rates. Hence, a balanced intake of animal and plant-based foods is necessary to meet the iron demands during this time.
Understanding Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps, or dysmenorrhea, can occur due to various reasons including the consumption of cold foods, exposure to cold environments, or imbalances in energy and blood flow. This can manifest in loss of appetite, irritability, fatigue, and paleness. During cramps, it’s beneficial to treat symptoms as they arise while focusing on preventive measures to achieve optimal health and beauty effects in the long run.
Avoid Spicy and Sour Foods
Women often feel fatigued during menstruation, with a weakened digestive system and diminished appetite. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain a light and easily digestible diet. Avoid overly sour or spicy foods like hawthorn, pickles, vinegar, chili, mustard, and pepper, as they can aggravate discomfort and lead to further issues.
By adjusting your diet during menstruation, you can significantly ease discomfort and support your overall health, allowing you to thrive even during this challenging time.