Before menstruation, some women may experience an uncontrolled increase in appetite. It's okay to eat, but be careful, okay? There are several types of foods that should be avoided or limited in order to avoid pain, aches, and bloating when period.
Not only does the appetite increase, before menstruation a woman's eating patterns can change drastically, for example, they still want to eat even though they are full, eat large portions, or eat constantly.
Don't worry, this is normal. how come. According to research, this is related to increased levels of the hormone progesterone before menstruation which also has an impact on increasing appetite. Even so, as long as the appetite is high, foods that are prohibited during menstruation should still be avoided.
Foods to Avoid
One type of food that should be avoided before menstruation is fast food or junk food. Although delicious on the tongue, these foods tend to be low in nutrients but high in calories and high in salt, so they are not good for health, including for women before and during menstruation.
In addition to fast food, some foods that are prohibited during menstruation or should be limited are:
1. Salt
Avoid consuming foods that contain high levels of salt before menstruation or during menstruation. This aims to reduce the symptoms of bloating and the accumulation of fluid in the blood vessels.
There are many things you can do to get around excess salt consumption. For example, you can replace snack fries with baked potatoes, which tend to be lower in salt.
2. Caffeine
During your period or before your period, you are advised to avoid foods or drinks that contain caffeine. Why? Caffeine can trigger feelings of restlessness, anxiety and difficulty sleeping or insomnia. All of these things can make mood You become ugly and it triggers feelings of wanting to eat more.
In addition, the caffeine content is also able to cause an increase in the production of stomach acid, which triggers heartburn, thereby increasing discomfort during menstruation.
In addition to tea, you should also need to limit coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, chocolate ice cream, or other drinks and foods that contain caffeine or coffee.
3. Fat
Fatty foods should also be avoided because they can cause bloating which is quite disturbing, especially during menstruation. The fatty foods that should be avoided include fatty meats, sausages, pastries, cheese, smoked meats, and coconut milk foods.
4. Alcohol
Foods or drinks that contain alcohol should be avoided before or during menstruation because they can worsen premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. In addition, alcohol can also cause a decrease in blood sugar levels, making you more sensitive and irritable, restless, tired, and can also cause headaches.
Tips for Controlling Appetite Before Menstruation
The desire to overeat during menstruation usually lasts only a few days. After menstruation takes place, this desire will usually decrease again. nowIn order to keep your appetite under control at this point, there are some tips you can do, such as:
- Increase your intake of fiber foods, especially from fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and whole grains.
- Chew food more slowly.
- Divert the desire to eat by drinking water or eating chewing gum.
- Record the food you eat each day in your notebook to find out how many calories you eat.
- Manage stress well, so it doesn't add to the desire to overeat.
In order to reduce the pain that occurs during menstruation, you are advised to start regular exercise and adopt a healthy daily diet. A study revealed that food consumption habits junk food can increase the risk of menstrual pain, you know.
So, eat natural foods that are easy to digest and rich in fiber, such as fruits and green leafy vegetables. You can also eat well-cooked chicken and fish as sources of protein and iron.
Increased appetite before menstruation is normal. However, try to keep an eye on the nutrients that enter the body and avoid foods that are prohibited during menstruation. Besides being able to relieve menstrual pain, proper nutritional intake is also important for overall body health.
If you experience excessive menstrual pain, accompanied by nausea, and it does not subside after taking painkillers, consult your doctor for proper examination and treatment.