What Fruits Should I Binge Eat for My Red Week



 It's 2024 ladies. It's no secret we need to be eating lighter and healthier on our menstruation cycles.

 Medical News Today studies suggest that dietary changes may help manage period symptoms. For example, eating more fruit and vegetables and drinking plenty of water may reduce menstrual cramps. One study involving 300 women reported that women who ate strawberries daily experienced fewer period cramps than those who did not eat them daily.

        With the number of studies like this being done on menstruation symptoms and treatment increasing, we have much more resources available to us then we did, say 40 years ago. More women are making traction in the science research industry and it has been groundbreaking. Through trial and error they have sought out to equip us with some of the best natural supplements and remedies that you can try at home. Most of which are edible and can be digested in the form of teas or treats.

 In addition to that, over the counter medicines are making a comeback with the age of birth control slowly dying out as an aid, and if you can find a safe brand they are a godsend for cramps. Pills have never been my thing as they induce more nausea than anything else. I usually end up throwing them up or sleeping them off and I don't know about you, but just because I'm having my visit from aunt flow doesn't mean I need to miss out on crucial time in my week.

      So, I found what works.

 I started small by drinking more water and natural fruit juices throughout the month. I incorporated more garlic, ginger, and greens into my diet and tried to cut out as much starch as I could. Keep in mind these were all intuition based diet changes. I had done no formal research on what foods make my period lighter, but I used my instincts and listened to my body to decide which foods made me feel better and which foods made me feel worse throughout each month. As you know, our menstrual cycle is designed to clean us women out every 28 days, and I believe the more nutrient dense ingredients you put in, the less work your body has to do to get you regulated.

 Don't believe me? Try it out for a few months. The whole 30 day diet fad is a real thing and it works in more ways than one. 

Cut these foods out for 30 days. 
  • No added sugar, real or artificial
  • No alcohol in any form
  • No grains
  • No legumes
  • No dairy
  • No carbs
  • No red meats
  • No saturated fats
  • No trans fats
Avoid as many of these as you can as you're setting your body up to work for you and not against you in the coming weeks. In addition to a lighter flow you may notice a lighter number on the scale. And who doesn't want that with summer only 8 weeks away.



Whichever your poison, I think we can all agree that we feel less bogged down when we put good in our body. Simply tweaking a few things in your diet alongside your normal ovarian care routine will make your next period an easy flow.

Thats why I created this list of fruits you can binge eat with no guilt and great results. I kept the fruits in the same color family as the topic at hand, so do this in remembrance of the tough times you've had with aunt flow. She may even leave a little sooner than usual, but that's ok. She'll be back.

I will also tag a recipe for the viral no bake berry chocolate bars circulating the internet. This simple and easy dessert recipe can be made in small batches for personal use or be made into a larger assortment with different berries to take to upcoming functions. You decide!



CHERRIES

My personal favorite here, cherries are one of the more delicious fruits rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants increase blood flow allowing blood vessels to relax causing less strain on the abdomen. Its reactive for us to tighten our bodies during the contractions, but it's actually counterproductive. Needing to relax is the most forgotten remedy for period pain. I know with work and home life that dream is far off. However, loading up on fruits like cherries can significantly improve the body's natural instinct to loosen up. In addition, natural juices that contain 100 percent cherry with no added sugar are great sleep aids. If you find your painful period cramps keeping you up at night, switch out the Midol for a glass of cherry juice and a warm bath. It makes all the difference.


RASPBERRIES

Raspberry leaf has been shown to lighten periods with its fragerine compound being the most helpful factor in making uterine muscles contract. This is directly linked to helping regulate your period while reducing a heavy flow. Feel free to muddle this leaf into a delicious tea to drink 3 times a day when needed. Your local grocery store carries tons of replacements that you can use in place of the raspberry leaf in the event it isn't sold where you are. Raspberries, fresh or frozen, still provide the same amounts of antioxidants and Vitamin C, two vital components for reducing pain and regulating blood flow. They are also a great source of potassium. If you ever been told to eat a banana to prevent cramping, it's the same idea. The only difference is raspberries taste better, and you won't feel stuffed eating 20 of them to get rid of your cramping. Try eating 20 bananas. Oh goodness!
















STRAWBERRIES

            Reminder; summer is only a few weeks away, and the strawberry saints are that much closer to blessing our roadsides and farmers markets. Contrary to popular belief, strawberries can be found fresh all year round. Consumers like myself aren't selective enough to follow The Queens rule of only eating fruit in season, but in my defense she is way past the stages of her monthly let downs. No offense. And I have to use what's available. It'd be nice if aunt flow was gracious enough to only stop by when fresh fruit was in season, but that's not her stylo. In the mean time, raid your produce section for these delicious berries and binge on them while you can. Not only are strawberries great at minimizing the pain during menstruation, they're also a great hangover food. They provide instant hydration while giving a boost of important vitamins and nutrients. 
        Trouble finding fresh fruit? Tru Fru has delicious frozen fruits covered in chocolate. They're great in smoothies or by themselves. How ever you can get those strawberries down, do it. Just don't drown them in sugar and trust me, you'll be fine.
















POMEGRANATE

Which lastly brings us to pomegranate. 

This almost reminds me of the lessons in grade school that ask you to look at a group of four (4) and identify which one doesn't belong. As we've delved deep into the types of berries available and what benefits they provide for a woman's reproductive system, we have stumbled upon one that isn't like the others. While pomegranate isn't a traditional berry, it is compliant with the amount of antioxidants you need to fight off cramping and lower abdominal pain associated with our cycle. It opens the blood vessels and allows more blood to flow through. For irregular periods pomegranate can actually induce your menstruation cycle. If our uterine lining isn't heavy enough our cycle can't begin, meanwhile pomegranates counteract that effect by helping you get your period faster and managing the accompanying issues.  When you can't fight with the seeds just opt for a juice or tea that contains pomegranate. Pom has a delicious bottle of the good stuff, and for half the price of good painkillers, it's worth it!


Thanks for reading to the end ladies. Scroll just a bit more for my easy viral recipe "No Bake Berry Chocolate Bars". These are a cheap, healthier substitute to the Tru Fru variety, but the choice is yours. I love these personally because I get to mix and match the flavors of chocolate with the freshest berries I can find that week and you get more servings for your dollar. You could even apply this concept to dried or sauteed fruits, but that's another story for another time. Try this easy dessert recipe before you venture off into the unknown and improve your health on the journey there.






Ingredients

  • One container fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries work best)
  • 2 bars melting chocolate or pieces (use dark chocolate for double the antioxidants)
  • 2 tsps. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • Flaky sea salt (optional)
  • Chia seeds (optional)



Directions

  • In a pot over a low boil, place a slightly larger mixing bowl atop the pot. The water should not be touching the bottom of the mixing bowl. This is referred to as a double boiler.
  • Add the chocolate to the bowl with the coconut oil, mixing every few minutes. Keep the heat low so as not to burn the chocolate. When the mixture is homogenous and shows a smooth glossy consistency remove from heat.
  • In a separate bowl, muddle berries into compote. The berries should be separated from their original form and appear jam like. Mix in lemon juice and sugar scoop individual servings onto a lined baking sheet. 
  • Place into freezer and let sit for 10 minutes or until slightly hardened.
  • Remove from freezer.
  • Take each palette of fruit and dip into the chocolate until fully covered.

  • When all palettes have been dipped and returned to the baking sheet, freeze for 30 minutes to set chocolate.
  • Sprinkle with flaky salt and or chia seeds and return to freezer for 2 hours or until completely set.
  • Put all the berry bars onto a serving tray and enjoy.



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