| Foods to help you deal with PMS |
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| It’s happened to you at one time or another: your pants feel tighter, your head hurts and you have mood swings…it’s PMS! But take heart, you can beat the bloat, relieve your cramps and headaches, and control your mood swings with these tips: |
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Eat a low-salt diet to help your body get rid of excess fluids |
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Avoid saturated fat found in meat and whole-fat dairy products. These raise oestrogen levels, which can worsen PMS symptoms. Eat lean fish, legumes, whole grains and high-fiber fruits and veggies instead. |
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Use safflower oil, which contains linolenic acid that helps regulate prostaglandins, hormone-like substances responsible for bloating and breast tenderness. |
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Avoid caffeine, as this increases irritability and contributes to mood swings.
Start your day with herbal tea or decaf instead. |
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Eat fiber-rich foods |
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Satisfy chocolate cravings with small amounts of nonfat chocolate foods like cocoa, frozen yogurt or low-fat brownies |
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Take 2 to 4 evening primrose oil capsules and 400 mg vitamin E daily. |
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