Like the monthly torture cycle wasn’t enough, evil takes on another form during PMS in the name of bloating, and honestly, we have had enough! Worry not, ladies. Here’s a handy guide to preventing PMS bloating so that you don’t miss out on feeling pretty and confident even during ‘that time of the month’.
Why do I bloat?
Bloating is one of the most common symptoms of PMS (Premenstrual Syndrome) where women feel ‘swollen’ a couple of days before their period is due. This primarily happens when hormones retain water in your body, but it can also be aggravated if you give in to your cravings and there is a sudden change in your diet.
How bad is it?
Slight weight gain may be noticeable during this time and some women even have problems with fitting into their regular clothes. But not to worry! There are ways you can curb the bloating during PMS and here’s how you do it.
1. Move it, move it!
The fastest and the most efficient way for you to expel unnecessary water retention is to exercise and get sweating! A good cardio session will take care of that, and you’ll be relieved to know that this actually works!
Move your feet and get on that treadmill with these stylish Active Soul Performance Fitness Capri (Rs 1,799)
2. Don’t put fries before anything!
Comfort food and binge-eating is our safety net when the Uterus is getting mad in you. But slow down on the sugary addiction and control your cravings because larger sodium content can also be the devil when it comes to feeling bloated.
Get munching on healthy alternatives such as this nutritional Nourish Vitals Mixed Dried Fruits (Rs 399)
3. Gorge on potassium and protein instead
These work in the exact opposite way from what sugar and salt do – they lower prostaglandins – the hormones responsible for muscle contractions and bloating. So, munch on bananas, cucumbers, lemon juice, chicken, fish, tofu, and nuts – they’re all beneficial for an irritated tummy.
4. Say no to caffeine and alcohol
We know we said easy, but everything comes at a price, ladies. Coffee and alcohol are both known to cause dehydration, which is going to make your body retain water more than usual. It’s best to say goodbye to your favourite indulgences for a few days rather than being sorry later.
For those days that seem long without caffeine, sip on the more mellow Vahdam Organic Green Tea (Rs 295)
5. Get more snooze time
Your body needs all the rest it can get to give you a good metabolism to work with. It’s when you sleep that your belly’s excess fluid has the chance to move back into the body and cure those irksome bloated days when you can’t function. Here’s another reason for you to get your beauty sleep, hun!
Snooze your bloating away with this Friends Of Meditation Mulberry Silk Sleep Mask (Rs 275)
6. Leafy veggies and fresh fruits
Increase your dose of veggies like Spinach, Kale, Avocado, and even Beetroot in your diet to improve digestion and consider both fresh and dried fruits as rich source of vitamins and minerals to fight off the hormones that cause bloating.
Fight that bloated tummy by munching on these delicious Solimo Premium Dried Figs (Rs 290)
7. Eat smaller portions in larger frequency
Contain your meals from three big ones a day to several small ones throughout the day. This is a great practice even for when you’re trying to build on new fitness routines, as it will eliminate gas from your body and help with the bloating, by default.
GIFs: Giphy
