Food for Thought: Reducing Symptons of PMS

Men, avert your eyes as the women folk and I discuss the topic of PMS and its consequent and unavoidable symptoms. Simply refer this post to your girlfriends/wives/mothers/significant women in your life whose monthly sufferings cause you to swell with sympathy.

Women, periods suck.

I know for myself each month brings with it a grab bag of symptoms. One month it's the headaches, the next my stomach, another affects my moods. Sometimes I experience everything at once.

Weighing my options I came to 3 conclusions: a) medicate myself with over-the-counter remedies to avoid the unpleasantness; b) seclude myself in the wilderness until the symptoms subside; or c) use my new found motivation to eat healthier to find ways to incorporate food into my recovery.

Hence, this post will explore the varying symptoms of our monthly visitor and the different foods we can consume to help ease the suffering. At the end of the post I will provide links to websites that offer recipes to help relieve PMS.

1. Fatigue
Can't stay awake? Trouble sleeping? This is a very common symptom amongst women during their period.
What to eat? Foods rich in carbs (fruits, veggies, whole grains). Try to stay away from caffeine as it can increase other symptoms (such as bloating and anxiety).

2. Irritability, Tension and Anxiety
Probably why I've heard most men refer to PMS as "Pissy Mood Syndrome".
What to eat? Vitamin E. (kiwi, bell peppers, spinach, olive oil)

3. Bloating
Every month you swell up like a balloon and your pants don't fit.
What to eat? Water...lots and lots of. Drinking more water actually helps the body reduce liquid retention. Also try to avoid foods and beverages high in sodium.

4. Headaches
Because simply being a woman doesn't cause enough of these.
What to eat? Often times simply avoiding foods that cause headaches will help. Alot of times headaches are caused by other symptoms, especially those related to the stomach and anxiety. Try foods rich in vitamin E to stabilize estrogen levels (oatmeal, sweet potatoes, olive oil) and vitamin B to reduce stress (fish, broccoli, asparagus, banana).

5. Acne
The elusive "period pimple" as I like to call them...or just a general explosion of ick on your face.
What to eat? Drinking lots of water helps to clear the body of toxins that cause acne. On a non-food related note, keep your face clean and hydrated. If you are like me and develop pesky pimples, try a spot treatment on that particular area.

6. Cramps
Cramps can affect not only your abdomen, but your back and legs as well. They can also contribute to symptoms such as constipation or diarrhea.
What to eat? Foods that contain fiber, calcium and /or vitamin B6 help detox the body of excess estrogen. (sweet potato, broccoli, kale, oranges, fish, brown rice, beans)


I am not a medical professional, thereby my information is a culmination of research and experience. Please visit these websites for more information:

Recipes:


PMS Symptoms:
* EHealth MD - PMS Symptoms
* Medicine Net - Menstrual Cramps

Symptoms and Foods:
* Natural Counselor - Super Foodsto Reduce PMS Symptoms
* Natural Counselor - Natural Headache Pain Relief
* PMS Central - Fatigue

Truffles for Dummies

This year for Christmas I volunteered to participate in a cookie exchange which involved creating 8 dozen of something. The only reason I agreed was because I did not want to watch others exchange baked goods without receiving any. So I needed something quick and easy, as I was short on time and cash.

I have never attempted truffles before in my life, but this is the easiest and tastiest recipe ever! I will definitely be making these a holiday tradition.

Oreo Truffles

3 cups crushed Oreo cookies (approx. 30 cookies)
1 pkg cream cheese (250 g)
16 sq semi-sweet chocolate

1. MIX Oreo crumbs and cream cheese (hands work best). Roll into 1" balls and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. MELT the chocolate and dip balls. Place on wax paper lined flat surface. Refrigerate 1 hour.

For my truffles, I crushed up some candy canes and sprinkled them on top right after rolling them in the chocolate. You can also crush some extra cookies and sprinkle them.

---

source: Kraft Canada

I absolutely love this website. The recipes are ridiculously easy and utilize popular packaged products instead of having to mix things from scratch. This works perfectly for me.

Too Easy Tuna Burgers

I was completely thrilled to try out this recipe, being one who enjoys the simpler things in life. Not only are these burgers ridiculously easy to make, they are unbelievably yummy! Even if all you have on hand is a can of tuna, mayo and an egg, you are good to go.

2 cans tuna
3 tbsp mayo
2 tbsp diced pickles (try garlic and dill!)
1 finely chopped celery stalk
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt and dill
1 egg
hamburger buns or dinner rolls
sliced cucumbers (for garnish)
cheese (shredded or cheese slice)

Mix tuna and mayo, add pickles, celery, lemon juice, salt and dill.

Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon in tuna mixture and flatten into patties (large enough for buns or rolls).

Cook for about 5 minutes, then flip until both sides are golden-brown. Throw on cheese until melted.

Garnish buns/rolls with mayo and sliced cuke, add patty.

***Source***

This recipe was taken from "Inspired", a magazine published by Our Compliments.

***Nutritional Info***
Per 2 patties: 290 calories, 22g protein, 18g total fat, 9g carbs, 1g fibre