How a Vegan Diet Can Help Reduce Symptoms of PMS
Have you ever found yourself doubled over with cramps, snapping at your friends for no reason, or crying at a commercial for soap? If you nodded your head, welcome to the PMS club. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is like that uninvited guest who pops up every month, bringing along a bag full of cramps, mood swings, bloating, and sometimes, an insatiable craving for chocolate. While a magic wand to banish these symptoms doesn’t exist, there’s something close: a vegan diet.
In this piece, we’ll explore how waving goodbye to animal products and embracing a plant-based lifestyle can be a game-changer for anyone battling the monthly blues.
1. Bye-Bye, Bloating!
One of the most common PMS symptoms is feeling like you’ve suddenly gained 10 pounds overnight. This uncomfortable bloating can be linked to high salt intake, something often found in meats and processed foods. Switching to whole, plant-based foods naturally lowers your salt intake, which can help take the pressure off your jeans button.
2. Mood Swings Be Gone!
Ever find yourself laughing at a joke one minute and tearing up the next? Hormones can take you on quite the emotional roller coaster during PMS. Here’s where foods rich in complex carbohydrates come in handy. Think: whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. These goodies can help stabilize your blood sugar, which in turn, might just save you from those sudden plunges into tearfulness or irritability.
3. Tackle The Cramps
The dreaded cramps are enough to make anyone want to curl up and disappear. Enter, Omega-3 fatty acids. Found abundantly in flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts, Omega-3s are like the superheroes of fats, known to fight inflammation and reduce pain – including those stubborn menstrual cramps.
4. Keep the Iron Up
A drop in iron levels can leave you feeling like a deflated balloon, thanks to the blood loss during your period. But who said you need meat to keep your iron levels up? Dark leafy greens, legumes, and fortified cereals are great plant-based sources of iron. Pair them with vitamin C-rich foods like oranges or bell peppers to boost iron absorption, and you’ll be bouncing back in no time.
5. Goodbye, Bad Fats
Eating lots of saturated fats, which are found in animal products like meat and dairy, has been linked to worsening PMS symptoms. On the other side, a vegan diet is typically lower in these bad fats and higher in fiber and good fats, which might help ease those monthly woes.
6. Dairy and PMS: Not Friends
For some, the relationship between dairy intake and PMS symptoms is like adding fuel to the fire. The hormones and saturated fat found in dairy products can exacerbate symptoms for some individuals. Cutting dairy out and opting for plant-based milk and cheese might just be the truce your body is looking for.
7. Chocolate Cravings? I Got You
Before you think a vegan diet will take away your PMS chocolate fix, let me tell you about dark chocolate. Rich in magnesium and antioxidants, it can help with cramps and is a mood elevator. Plus, it’s vegan! So, you can still indulge those cravings guilt-free.
8. Hydrate Like a Boss
Water, the elixir of life, is your best friend. A vegan diet is full of fruits and vegetables that have high water content, which can help keep you hydrated. Hydration is key to reducing bloating and improving your overall mood.
Wrapping It Up
Turning to a vegan diet isn’t just about saving animals or the planet—it can be about saving yourself from the monthly curse of PMS, too. While it’s not a guaranteed cure for everyone, many have found significant relief by shifting towards a plant-based lifestyle. It’s about giving your body the best fuel to not only survive your periods but to thrive despite them.
Remember, any dietary change should be a personal choice and it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have existing health conditions. So, the next time PMS knocks on your door, you’ll be ready with a plate full of plants to answer it.