While some women sail through their periods with no problems, others spend days in agony. Foods can either help or hurt your cause. As you add pain-relieving foods to your diet, it's equally important to cut out foods that will make your pain worse. Limit your intake of sugar, fat, caffeine and alcohol until the worst of your pain is behind you.
Calcium
Calcium helps you maintain muscle tone, which will help ease your pain. Eat several foods that are high in calcium each day during your period. Drink low-fat milk with every meal. The ice cream you've been craving can help too, as long as you limit yourself to a small bowl each night. Spinach, kale and beans are also packed with calcium, so make a Mexican salad topped with canned beans, shredded cheese and a scoop of salsa. Snack on handfuls of almonds throughout the day.
Antioxidants
Foods that are high in antioxidants will give you pain relief, and many of these foods will fill you up without making you feel bloated and overly full. Fruits like blueberries and cherries, as well as vegetables, such as bell peppers and squash, contain antioxidants -- snack on these either plain or add to salads. Antioxidants are also found in cooking oils, like sesame oil and olive oil, so drizzle these over sliced tomatoes or steamed vegetables.
Protein
Protein is always part of a healthy diet, but certain types can also ease your menstrual pain. Avoid red meat during this time and instead eat lean chicken and tofu. Marinate these proteins in garlic, lemon juice and sesame oil and grill them. Peanut butter is also packed with protein, so mix up a peanut dipping sauce. Cold water fish, such as salmon is also a helpful food to eat during your period. Not only does it contain protein but it also has omega-3 fatty acids, which will reduce inflammation.
Flaxseed
Cramps are largely caused by the release of prostaglandin, which causes the uterus to spasm and leaves you doubled over in pain. Flaxseed can help limit the release of prostaglandin, and when this seed is ground up it can be easily hidden in many foods. Eat 1 or 2 tsp. of ground flaxseed each day of your period. Sprinkle it in your morning cereal, blend it into a fruit smoothie or mix it into a batch of oat muffins.
