Even though the female cycle is a recurring monthly physical ritual for most menstruating women, very few people realise how important it is to support the cycle phases with the right food choices. In this article, we explain which phases there are, what effects nutrition has during these phases and what you should always pay attention to.
Feminine Food – The optimal diet for every phase of the cycle
Menstruation is one of the most complex hormonally controlled processes in our female body, a process during which the body and mind recreate themselves. Mood swings, water retention, cramps, tiredness and migraines are provoked by the fluctuations in the hormone balance and our mood sinks. A phase in which our health takes center stage and we should also indulge our needs and desires. Now is the time to support our bodies with the right food choices and counteract menstrual cramps, dysmenorrhoea and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A healthy, balanced and above all vitamin-rich diet helps us to alleviate symptoms and increase our well-being during the individual phases of the period.
A woman’s cycle phases not only differ in terms of hormonal and anatomical processes, but each of the four phases also requires an adapted diet. In general, a diet rich in vitamins and avoiding empty calories, such as those found mainly in fast food dishes, is also important here. A diet adapted to the hormonal balance is not only good for well-being and health, but also helps the female body to achieve and maintain balance in each individual phase. We can roughly divide menstruation into two periods – without going into detail about the four individual cycle phases in this article – the period of blossoming, “spring and summer,” and the period of letting go, “autumn and winter”.
Blossoming phase
The phase of blossoming and reinvention; from the last day of menstruation including the next ovulation (follicle and ovulation phase):
- The intake of vitamins A, C, E as well as iron, folic acid, selenium and zinc is particularly important here. Phytoestrogens are also beneficial as they have an influence on regular ovulation. In addition to various vegetables such as beans, broccoli and cauliflower, phytoestrogen-providing foods also include fruits such as pomegranates, berries, stone fruit and citrus fruits as well as pulses, seeds, kernels and olives. Light grains such as quinoa, amaranth, spelt and oats are important for the spring and summer phase.
- Due to the build-up of the uterine lining, it is also important to ensure a sufficient supply of protein to support this build-up phase. Pain during ovulation as well as migraines, nausea and menstrual bleeding can be minimised with tailored prescriptions.
Letting go phase
The phase after ovulation until the end of menstruation (luteal phase and menstrual phase):
- Due to the loss of blood during menstruation, a natural supply of iron from seeds and nuts, oatmeal, pulses and various iron-rich vegetables such as spinach, beetroot, broccoli and fennel is particularly important during these phases. A simultaneous intake of vitamin C or fruit acids also helps your body to increase iron absorption. It is best to reduce your coffee or tea consumption during this phase, as this in turn makes iron absorption more difficult.
- For an optimal vitamin A intake to support the liver, you can generally eat all red, orange and yellow fruit and vegetables.
A sufficient supply of magnesium and calcium as well as vitamin B for the production of positive messenger substances such as serotonin and dopamine also optimally prepare your body for the menstrual phase. In addition to dairy products, various types of cereals and pulses, nuts, seeds and kernels – especially sesame and poppy seeds – provide you with an optimal supply. - Omega-3 fatty acids, which, in addition to the main sources such as eggs and fish, are rich in all the legumes and wholemeal products mentioned above. They also improve your mood during these phases and counteract the occurrence of dysmenorrhoea and PMS by stimulating prostaglandins.
- You should also make sure you take sufficient vitamin D supplements. This vitamin reduces the occurrence of various PMS symptoms such as back pain, tendencies of feeling down, as well as a reduced intensity of pain. Vitamin D therefore also has a positive influence on the physical and psychological symptoms of PMS.
This phase is also interesting for fans of dark chocolate. Not only does it satisfy our craving for sweets, but its high potassium content also supports muscle function when cramps occur during menstruation. Cocoa beans also contain valuable antioxidants that have a cell-protecting effect.
Nutrition tips for your entire cycle
Overall, recipes with a high proportion of valuable protein sources, fresh vegetables, herbs and antioxidants are preferable in these phases. You can supplement your diet with the necessary minerals and vitamins by taking well-adjusted food supplements during the individual phases. In general, it is particularly important to avoid overloading your body with ready-made products and fast food, alcohol, unnecessary amounts of sugar, too much salt and caffeine.
Experience personalised care with our products, meticulously crafted to cater to the unique needs of women throughout every phase of their cycle. Elevate your well-being by effortlessly supplying yourself with essential vitamins, nutrients, and omega-3 fatty acids tailored to each stage. Explore our diverse range of products and empower yourself to take control of your cycle health.
- Resources
“Eat Like a Woman: Recipes for a harmonious cycle”, Andrea Haselmayr, Denise Rosenberger, Verena Haselmayr - “Is Female Health Clinical?”, Alexandra Alvergne, Verena Högqvist Tabor, Trends Ecol Evol. 2018 Jun; 33(6):399-414.doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2018.03.006.Epub 2018 May 16.
- Nutritional modulation of blood pressure and vascular changes during severe menstrual cramps Uche C. Njoku, MSc a , Peter U. Amadi, PhD b,* and Joy A. Amadi, PhD, Received 16 July 2020; revised 18 October 2020; accepted 26 October 2020; Available online 27 November 2020,Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, Volume 16, Issue 1, February 2021, Pages 93 – 101.
- “High dose vitamin D supplementation can improve menstrual problems, dysmenorrhea, and premenstrual syndrome in adolescents”, Bahrami A, Avan A, Sadeghnia HR, Esmaeili H, Tayefi M, Ghasemi F, Nejati Salehkhani F, Arabpour-Dahoue M, Rastgar-Moghadam A, Ferns GA, Bahrami-Taghanaki H, Ghayour-Mobarhan M.; Gynecol Endocrinol. 2018 Aug;34(8):659-663. doi: 10.1080/09513590.2017.1423466. Epub 2018 Feb 15. PMID: 29447494.
- “Adverse Effects of Dietary Habits on Menstrual Disorders in Young Women”, Tomoko Fujiwara, Natsuyo Sato , Hiroyo Awaji and Rieko Nakata; The Open Food Science Journal, 2007, 1, 24-30
- Role of Food and Exercise in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Dr Anuja Choudhary Asst. Prof. Dept. of Physiotherapy, MVGU; 2022 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology ISSN No:-2456-2165; Volume 7, Issue 5, May
- Premenstrual Syndrome Is Associated with Dietary and Lifestyle Behaviors among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from Sharjah, UAE; A Hashim, Mona S., A Obaideen, Asma A., A Jahrami, Haitham A. et al, D 2019; J Nutrients, 2072-6643; doi:10.3390/nu11081939