What foods should you avoid on your period?
Rachel Ellis
Published Jan 24, 2026
While all foods are OK in moderation, you might want to avoid certain foods that worsen the symptoms of your period.
- Salt. Consuming lots of salt leads to water retention, which can result in bloating. ...
- Sugar. ...
- Coffee. ...
- Alcohol. ...
- Spicy foods. ...
- Red meat. ...
- Foods you don't tolerate well.
What should you not eat while on your period?
Avoid The Following Things During Periods
- Avoid Caffeine. We should limit the quantity of caffeine during periods. ...
- Avoid Consumption Of Alcohol. ...
- Avoid Processed Foods. ...
- Avoid High-fat Food. ...
- Avoid Dairy Products. ...
- Avoid Fried Food. ...
- Avoid Excess Of Salt Consumption. ...
- Avoid Red Meat.
What should you eat when on your period?
Foods to eat during your period
- Salmon. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, this fish is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which relax the uterus and fight cramps. ...
- Dark chocolate. You probably don't need another excuse to eat some chocolate. ...
- Oatmeal. ...
- Watermelons, figs, and plums. ...
- Citrus. ...
- Eggs. ...
- Chamomile.
What foods make your period heavier?
Watch out! Your diet can make your periods heavier!
- Beetroots. Beetroots are loaded with iron, calcium, vitamins, potassium, folic acid and fibres. ...
- Chocolates. ...
- Honey. ...
- Coffee. ...
- Dairy products.
Which foods make your period lighter?
Getting more iron in your diet can help reduce heavy bleeding and prevent anemia caused by blood loss. Try eating iron-rich foods like meat, seafood, beans, nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables.
45 related questions foundDo and don'ts during menstruation?
Avoid eating greasy and oily foods during your menstrual cycle. Don't consume caffeine or alcohol during this time. Try not to eat painkillers for your period pain.
Is chocolate good for period cramps?
Dark chocolate may help ease menstrual cramps due to its high magnesium content. Magnesium helps relax muscles and may stop the production of compounds that signal cramps. Copper, another nutrient found in dark chocolate, may also play a role.
What are period cravings?
Hormone changes can cause a drop in blood sugar levels, which leads to sugar cravings. Serotonin levels — the “feel good” chemical in your brain — also tend to be lower during this time. When that happens, we crave sugars and especially carbohydrates (like potato chips) because the body uses carbs to make serotonin.
Do bananas affect your period?
Bananas are generally easy to find and known to be helpful for period cramps. They are rich in fiber and will help you have easy bowel movements. As a result, you may feel less bloated and experience less pain overall. Bananas also contain a lot of magnesium, which is known to reduce the severity of period cramps.
What are period poops?
A+ Periods can cause cramping, mood swings and acne, but they can also wreak havoc on your digestive system. “Period poops,” as they are often called, refer to bowel movements that coincide with the start of your period. They typically differ from your regular poops and are often looser and more frequent, or diarrhea.
What food helps Period cramps?
Naturally, eating foods that decrease inflammation in the body will help to tame menstrual cramps. These foods include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Research has shown that both a vegetarian and plant-based eating pattern work to decrease inflammation in the body.
How do I make my period stop?
If you want to cut down on the number of periods you have per year, then experts suggest standard birth control pills, patches, or the vaginal ring. To stop your period long-term, birth control shots, long-term pills, and the IUD typically work best.
Which fruit is good in periods?
Water-rich fruits, such as watermelon and cucumber, are great for staying hydrated. Sweet fruits can help you curb your sugar cravings without eating a lot of refined sugars, which can cause your glucose levels to spike and then crash.
Is Egg good in periods?
Eat a few eggs.
Eggs contain vitamins B6, D, and E, which all work together to fight off the symptoms of PMS, according to Dr. Mache Seibel. They're also packed with protein, which is an added nutritional bonus.
What drinks help period cramps?
Drinking chamomile, fennel or ginger tea is an easy, natural way to relieve menstrual cramps. Plus, herbal teas can have other benefits like stress relief and helping with insomnia.
Do you gain weight on your period?
It's normal to gain about three to five pounds during your period. Generally, it will go away a few days after your period starts. Period-related weight gain is caused by hormonal fluctuations. It may be the result of water retention, overeating, sugar cravings, and skipping workouts due to cramps.
Why do girls crave chocolate on their period?
Your serotonin levels also drop, while at the same time your cortisol levels are steadily on the rise. The reduction of your feel-good hormone paired with the increase of your stress hormone makes you crave sugary foods, so that you can boost your serotonin levels once again and cheer yourself up.
Is ice cream good during periods?
Dairy isn't a smart choice.
Dairy is a major part of a well-balanced diet, but eating too much cheese or consuming too many milk-based products on your period can cause your period cramps to worsen. In fact, dairy can lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea, according to Healthline. So, play it safe and skip the ice cream.
Is ice cream good for period cramps?
Having a lot of dairy products is not the best idea, as it can cause cramping. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream contain arachidonic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), which can increase inflammation and can intensify your period pain.
How do you calm period cramps at school?
How to stop period cramps at school
- Carry a heat pack on you.
- Dress in loose, comfortable clothing and stay warm.
- Take painkillers in the morning before you go in.
- A sports drink may help thanks to its electrolytes, or snack on some of the superfoods like dark chocolate we mentioned above.
Should you rest on your period?
A good night's rest goes a long way during your period. Some women report disrupted sleep during their period and studies have found that sleep deprivation will increase cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that can raise blood sugar which disturbs your ovulation and period.
What makes you bleed more on your period?
If your hormone levels aren't balanced, your body can make the lining too thick, which leads to heavy bleeding when you shed the thicker lining. If you don't ovulate (release an egg from an ovary), this can throw off the hormone balance in your body, too, leading to a thicker lining and a heavier period.
Does lemon stop your period?
No. Drinking a shot of lemon juice won't delay your period or make it stop. Using a hormonal birth control method is the only way to lighten or control when you get your period: When taking a hormonal birth control method, like the pill, ring, and patch, you have the ability to skip your period.
What happens on day 3 of your period?
You may have cramps, stomach pain, or lower back pain. Day 2 Your period still likely is heavy, and you may have cramps or stomach pain. Days 3/4 Your body removes the rest of the tissue in the uterus (womb). This sometimes can come out as dark clumps.
Do you lose weight on your period?
The menstrual cycle does not directly impact weight loss or gain, but there may be some secondary connections. On the list of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms are changes in appetite and food cravings, and that can affect weight.