Periods and munching on junk go hand in hand. Come on, how hard it is to tackle period cravings. However, you need to dig a little deeper and find snacks that would also provide you with the right dose of nutrition apart from satisfying your craving. When you are munching on something, make sure you know the contents.
It is important for you to take care of your menstrual health and thus, check what you are putting inside your body. As they say, your body is the temple that you should worship at all times. In this write-up, we will talk about some of the best snacks for period cravings. They are rich in nutrition and lip-smacking at the same time.
Food cravings are one of the main premenstrual syndromes that are commonly seen in women. It mainly happens due to the changes in estrogens and progesterone levels. You might crave high carbs and something sweet during this time of the month and trust us, you are not alone. Some like to indulge in salty and savoury snacks too!
Munch away but the right way
You must always do something about your period's cravings because it instantly makes your mood better. They work like medication!
You need to maintain a healthy diet. You should be aware even if they are just snacks!
5 Best snacks for period cravings
Here are some of the 5 most common period cravings snacks.
1. Dark chocolates: A few blocks of chocolate have never hurt anyone. It is one of the most common cravings as well. According to nutritionists, chocolates have mood-enhancing advantages as well. However, try to replace your regular ones with dark chocolate.Dark chocolate contains magnesium, which reduces stress hormones. During this time of the month, women are cranky and need something sweet. The antioxidants present in dark chocolate can help you relax the walls of one's vessels. It also helps in decreasing your blood pressure and improving your circulation. If you face period cramps, you must indulge in some yummy dark chocolate. Chocolates tend to increase serotonin and dopamine, which make you relaxed.
2. A bowl of fresh fruits: Do yourself a favour by savouring a bowl of juicy fruits whenever you feel like munching on something. Fruit salad with lots of bananas, watermelons and oranges will also keep you full for a longer time. Add fresh cream for that extra dose of yumminess!It will also hydrate you and reduce fatigue naturally. It is one of the best snacks that you can have during or before your periods.
Also read: Breakfast for PCOS
3. Nuts: When it comes to period cravings, most of us want something to nibble on from time to time. Do not open those packs of potato chips and instead, nibble on nuts. They are a great way to enjoy snacking without consuming junk food. You can also start your day by consuming a few cashew nuts as cashew nuts are very beneficial for women’s health.They are full of nutrition and will keep you full.
4. Popcorn: When on periods, most of us love to get all cozy with our heating pad, blanket and watch movies. While you binge on your favourite series, you can make yourself or ask your partner to make you some popcorn.The best part about homemade popcorn is that it is free from all kinds of harmful toppings. If you are not a fan of corn, you can always have makhana too; they are a wonderful snacking item.
Note: While on periods or not, you should always have nuts and makhanas in your household.
5. Oatmeal: If you are craving something on the heavier side, then oatmeal is a great option for you. It is nutritious and a great source of antioxidants and protein. You can top it up with your favourite fruits and enjoy a good amount without having to worry about calories.Search with oatmeal period cravings recipes and you will be flooded with ideas! You will love the gooey and sweet oatmeal when you are all tired and want a comfy bowl.
Quick and Easy Snack Ideas
If you are looking for Quick and Easy Snack ideas, do yourself a favour by making a bowl of hot and delicious Broccoli and Kale Soup. Red bean soup, Thai tofu soup and Pumpkin Cinnamon Soup are other hot favourites for the menses! It is rich in calcium, magnesium, and other essential vitamins and minerals.
Warm beverages also help in relieving cramps and soothing your body. However, avoid coffee and make yourself a cup or two of ginger tea. If you want something cool, you can have sweet lime juice.
When we are talking about best snacks for period cramps, how can we forget mentioning raisins, pecans? You can keep them at your office desk so that you can munch on them while at the office.
We always advise our readers to have something beneficial for their body. Even though you crave for some salty snacks, it is better to cut down on salt intake for the sake of your health.
What snacks should I eat on my period
Leafy greens like kale and broccoli are high in iron and can replenish your body in more ways than one. You can make an amazing smoothie with bananas, kale, spinach, broccoli, oranges and watermelons. You can replace the fruits and add any fruit of your choice like berries, mangoes, peaches, pears, etc.
Add three kinds of fruits to make the smoothie thick and filling. For the liquid base, you can use coconut water or almond milk. Apart from all these, you should try to have food items which contain Omega 3 fatty acids. They play a role in reducing cramps. This is one of the quick and easy snack recipes you will ever come across!
You should also try to include food that contains B6 such as chickpeas, salmon, and starchy vegetables like potatoes. Prioritise your hydration during this time of the month and cut down on your sugar. We know that you will crave such things during the moment but the idea is to focus on healthy food habits.
Avocados and Greek yoghurt are also some food items that you can try. While they say that avocados help with bloating and muscle cramps with their high levels of potassium, Greek yoghurt relaxes the muscles in your body.
Both of them are pretty delicious too. Dieticians also recommend including eggs in the diet because they are full of nutritious vitamins, minerals and amino acids. They also provide the right dose of vitamin D.
The evenings are the most difficult time when you get all kinds of cravings. This is when you should munch on something like pumpkin seeds. They are also rich in Omega 3S which means they can reduce inflammation. They also contain iron and zinc. You can keep dates, and trail mixes in your pantry. You can try hummus with vegetables if you crave a savoury snack.
There are so many different recipes that you can try in your home. For example, you can have guilt-free ice cream by mixing 3 major ingredients, frozen bananas, peanut butter and cocoa powder. It hardly takes a few minutes to make and you would love every bite of it. You can also make protein peanut buttercups.
There are so many alternative recipes to traditional butter cakes and chocolate cakes as well. You can try them out at home and indulge in them without feeling guilty.
When do period cravings start?
For many women, the premenstrual cravings make a grand entrance a week or two before the actual period begins. It's like a silent alarm going off in your body, signalling that it's time to stock up on comfort foods and treats. Hormonal fluctuations during this time can lead to changes in appetite and a desire for specific flavours and textures that offer a sense of solace.
Precautions
However, make sure you have it in moderation. Do not add too much salt or sugar to your snacks. Experiment and we are sure that you will no longer gorge on unhealthy snacks.
Conclusion
Period cravings are real and you can satisfy your cravings by making a few changes and taking charge of what you eat. We hope you loved reading this article and would try these above-mentioned snacking ideas.