What should girls not eat during menstruation?

Girls should avoid eating cold, spicy, high-salt, high-sugar and caffeinated foods during menstruation. Mainly include ice cream, chili, pickles, chocolate, strong tea, etc. Improper diet during menstruation may aggravate dysmenorrhea, edema, or mood swings.

1. Ice cream

Eating ice cream and other cold foods during menstruation may stimulate uterine contractions and worsen menstrual cramps. Low-temperature foods will constrict pelvic blood vessels, affect the discharge of menstrual blood, and may cause decreased menstrual flow or increased blood clots. It is recommended to choose warm drinks such as brown sugar ginger tea during menstruation to help promote blood circulation.

2. Chili pepper

Spicy foods such as chili peppers may irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa and aggravate the common bloating discomfort during menstruation. Spicy ingredients may also promote prostaglandin secretion, aggravate uterine smooth muscle spasm, and increase the probability of dysmenorrhea. If symptoms of menstrual diarrhea occur, spicy foods that may irritate the intestines should be avoided.

3. Pickles

High-salt foods such as pickles and bacon may cause water and sodium retention, aggravating premenstrual breast pain and facial swelling. Excessive sodium ion intake will also affect the balance of potassium and sodium, which may induce or aggravate menstrual headache symptoms. It is recommended that daily salt intake be controlled within 5 grams.

4. Chocolate

Chocolate contains a lot of sugar and caffeine, which may affect blood sugar stability and aggravate mood swings during menstruation. The tyramine component in some chocolate may also trigger migraine attacks. You can choose dark chocolate rich in magnesium instead, but the daily intake should not exceed 30 grams.

5. Strong tea

The tannic acid in strong tea can inhibit iron absorption and aggravate iron loss caused by menstrual blood loss. Caffeine may stimulate nerve excitement, affect sleep quality and aggravate anxiety. It is recommended to use rose tea, red dates, wolfberry tea, etc. instead, which can replenish qi and blood without irritating.

The diet during menstruation should be warm, light, and easy to digest, with an appropriate amount of iron-rich animal liver, spinach and other foods to supplement the nutrients lost in menstrual blood. Pay attention to keeping your abdomen warm, avoid strenuous exercise, and ensure 7-8 hours of sleep every day. If severe dysmenorrhea or abnormal menstrual flow occurs, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly to check for organic diseases such as adenomyosis.