When it comes to PMS bloating what you eat can have a dramatic effect on how you feel.
Eat the wrong foods and your bloating will feel worse. On the other hand eat the right foods and you could possibly prevent those bloated feelings from occurring at all.
That’s because we really are what we eat. The food you consume has a direct impact on your health and well-being.
So let’s look at the best foods for preventing period bloating along with some recipes that will have your taste buds watering.
First, it’s important that you understand that PMS bloating is caused by several factors, including hormonal imbalances, indigestion and not having enough protein in your diet.
That means to prevent bloating you need to consume more foods that balance hormones, eliminate indigestion and provide protein. More specifically, foods that help balance hormones are foods that cleanse the liver.
You see, one of the liver’s jobs is to break down hormones. If the liver isn’t working properly, then fragments of the hormones re-circulate throughout the body producing negative effects in your health and mental state, for example this can cause you to feel resentful or angry.
Now that we have a little background information, here is a list of foods that reduce or even prevent menstrual bloating:
1. Beef
2. Chicken
3. Salmon
4. Pork
5. Lamb
6. Dairy Products
7. Raspberries
8. Mint
9. Fennel
10. Yogurt
11. Kefir Milk
12. Chamomile
13. Artichoke
14. Dandelion greens
15. Spinach
Among the foods listed above, artichoke, dandelion greens and spinach are all three highly effective liver cleansers.
Mint, fennel, yogurt, kefir milk, and chamomile made the list because they have been shown to aid in digestion. For example, yogurt and kefir milk contain probiotics that help your in1’ines function properly. Without good probiotics bad bacteria in the digestive tract can grow unimpeded which can not only cause bloating but also other digestive issues.
Finally, beef, chicken, salmon, pork, lamb and dairy products deliver essential protein. Low protein levels are notorious for causing bloating and edema.
Now here’s a few recipes and serving suggestions to help you get rid of menstrual bloating:
Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
1 can artichoke hearts
1 lemon
1 clove garlic
Olive oil
½ teaspoon basil
Directions
Drain artichoke hearts. Add the hearts to the blender with the juice of ½ lemon, a clove garlic and a few tablespoons of olive oil. Add the basil. Blend for 30 seconds. Serve with crackers or vegetable tray.
Additional recipes/suggestions:
Dandelion Greens: Chop and cook with 1 cup water on low for about 20 minutes or until cooked. Add lemon juice at end of cooking.
Spinach: Line your dinner plate every day with fresh spinach leaves for a serving of this healthy vegetable.
Mint: When you come home from work, make a cup of mint tea to go with your dinner. Use one teaspoon mint or 1 tablespoon fresh mint per cup boiling water. Let steep five minutes. Drink either before or after your meal.
Chamomile: Purchase the tea bags, and make a cup of chamomile tea with a cup of boiling water. Let steep five minutes. Then sip.
Now before we wrap up this article, we should point out that just as there are foods that are good for bloating, there are also foods that can make your bloating worse.
Unlike the specific foods listed above, the foods that can cause bloating are often more individualized. In other words, what causes you to feel PMS bloating might not cause someone else to experience those symptoms.
That’s why it’s important to know your body and to pay attention to what you are eating. If you feel bloated take into consideration what you ate recently and if you begin to notice a trend you may want to stop eating that food at least during your period.
