6 Healthy Period Snacks to Get You Through Your PMS Cravings

I don’t know about you, but I always know when my periods are about to start. Why? Before my menstrual cycle begins, I start to deplete everything that I see in my house and deem consumable. And I must say that those cravings of mine don’t immediately cease after my periods start, but continue for some days onwards. 

For most of you, it might not be that big a problem, but for those who find it hard to say no to a bag of Doritos only to regret it soon afterward, we decided to compile a list of healthy but yummy replacements for your favourite snacks that won’t end with you cursing yourself for overindulgence. These types of snacks may help you not only maintain your diet but also reduce bloating and mood swings during your monthly cycle. So keep up and find something for yourself!

Dark chocolate is probably the best snack option that you can look into to assist you during menstruation. It has a lot of antioxidants. Chocolate will improve your mood and give you some much-needed serotonin. Find yourself some dark chocolate (preferably, with the least amount of sugar possible) and chew on that bad boy to your heart's content. 

Another type of snack that is incredible in its variety of choices! You can make yourself a healthy and nutritious fruit salad or just nibble on some apples if you so choose, but let’s look into the best snack alternatives that will also help you with your period pains. 

Bananas, in our opinion, are a very underappreciated fruit, considering how beneficial they are for you. It’s full of vitamins and antioxidants that will help to improve your mood and can also support your heart function, aid your weight loss, and help with constipation. They are also good for digestion.

Another fruit that will support you emotionally through your cycle is oranges. They are high in vitamin C, so they will definitely improve your mood during menstruation and give your immune system a little boost. If you don’t want your orange to lose its vitamins, eat it quickly, as vitamin C evaporates quite fast after being exposed to the air.

Watermelon can be an incredible helper during your monthly cycle since it provides you with extra energy due to all the nutrients and helps with bloating because of the organic sugar contained within the fruit. And what a tasty snack it is!

Vegetables are always good for you, so it’s kind of a safe bet, but if you want some examples, lettuce, bok choy, spinach, and broccoli would work especially nicely. Or just get veggies that are in season in your area. 

A delicious and convenient snack that comes in different forms and flavours is also nutritious and loaded with antioxidants. Still, don’t overindulge; nuts have a lot of calories in them! But they can be extremely helpful if you don’t want to eat too much but want to keep your hands and mouth busy. 

Oatmeal is not only yummy but also nutritious and can be a comforting meal during your cycle! It also provides your body with antioxidants and can even help you lose weight if you choose this snack as a long-term alternative. Preferably, go for an unsweetened option.

We bet you weren’t expecting to find this one on the list, but yes, popcorn can be of great assistance during menstruation due to the serotonin boost it gives you. But if you want to keep it healthy, don’t consume store-bought salty popcorn and look into homemade substitutes.

Before we end this article, I want to mention that we are not trying to say that you need to eat less during menstruation and constantly deny yourself things that help you through the pain. But! A healthy snack can also be enjoyable, and as you can see, by healthy we don’t exactly mean, "Eat a Brussels sprout!" (Unless you want to, in which case, go ahead!) You can always come back to the snacks you enjoyed before, and nothing stops you from trying out new things. In the long run, you might even enjoy them more!

And the very last thing we need to cover. There are certain foods that can make your period feel worse than usual. For example, refined sugar and salty snacks are better left alone as they can affect your mood. And excessive indulgence may even lead to dehydration and headaches. But of course, everyone’s body is different, and you need to learn what yours is trying to tell you.

Well, that about covers it! I hope that we managed to help you find some healthy alternatives for your period cravings, but remember to always consult your doctor or a dietitian if you want to know more about how your body functions during your cycle and what type of food it needs.