More and more people are deciding to eliminate animal products from their daily diet and instead eat exclusively plant-based food. Often this is for the sake of the environment and animals. Apart from that, a vegan diet can also help to reduce menstrual pain in women during menstruation.
Period pains are common among women
Many women are affected by uncomfortable menstrual cramps during their period. So, unfortunately, chances are good that you too regularly have to deal with painful pelvic pain and other symptoms.
If this is the case, you are certainly looking for ways to relieve your period pain. Avoiding animal-based foods can help in this regard and make you feel more comfortable during your period.
Is a vegan diet healthy?
In principle, it is quite possible to eat a healthy and balanced diet with a purely vegan diet. With a few exceptions, such as vitamin B12, most nutrients can be obtained in sufficient quantities without animal products.
Nevertheless, as a vegan it is important that you pay more attention to eating the right foods. Otherwise there is an increased risk of deficiencies and associated complaints in the long term. With a little practice and care, however, experience has shown that this is not a big problem.
Iron and vegan nutrition
Iron is a vital trace element. It is an indispensable component of the red blood pigment haemoglobin, which is responsible for the transport of oxygen in the body. Due to the blood loss associated with menstruation, women generally have a higher iron requirement than men.
Since the body is less able to absorb iron from plant sources, it is particularly important to ensure sufficient iron intake in a vegan diet. In addition, vitamin C helps to improve iron absorption.
Good plant sources of iron are, for example:
- Lentils
- Oatmeal
- Pumpkin seeds
- Spinach
- Porcini mushrooms
A vegan diet is not only about greens
PeriodenslipIf you haven't yet explored veganism, you probably think that you have to do without a lot of things. But in fact, a purely plant-based diet offers a surprisingly wide variety, consisting of much more than greens. At the same time, the right foods provide you with important nutrients that can, among other things, aid digestion or counteract typical menstrual cramps.
Pulses such as lentils and beans, for example, are rich in high-quality proteins, fibre that is important for digestion and important minerals. Oatmeal is high in fibre and magnesium, which can counteract muscle cramps.
Bananas are rich in magnesium and potassium, which means the sweet fruit can also help relieve abdominal cramps. Cinnamon is said to have a relaxing effect, making the spice a good choice for women with menstrual cramps.
Add variety to the plate
Are you new to vegan food and don't know what to eat? How about a vegan chilli sin carne or delicious spaghetti with lentil bolognese? For dessert, you could enjoy a delicious homemade banana bread.
For a good start to the day, oatmeal is the perfect choice. You can combine them with all kinds of nuts and seeds, as well as oat milk or coconut milk. Such a breakfast provides you with energy for everyday life and many valuable nutrients, which can have a positive effect on your period pains.
Vegan diet and period pain: conclusion
As you can see, a vegan diet can definitely help to counteract period pains during menstruation. If you eat a balanced and varied diet, you will provide your body with many valuable nutrients. Maybe you would like to try it out and eat mainly vegan for at least a few weeks. You will be surprised at the variety of delicious vegan dishes.
