It can be a vicious cycle — that menstrual cycle. It makes you feel sluggish and tired, craving terrible foods, keeping you from running and getting your workouts in. Or, heaven forbid, you’re on it come race day! There’s no magic pill to give you your energy back (or your happy-go-lucky disposition)…but you can eat foods to lessen the blow.
So. what are the best foods to eat during your period?
I asked nutritionist and Mother Runner of two Betsy Johnson. She says, first you need to make sure you’re eating ENOUGH to ward off cravings and feel energized (especially after a workout and at dinner since those treat temptations seem to haunt us after 9 p.m.). And, she tells us the best foods to eat during your period.
So here are the best foods to eat during your period:
Iron.
Iron-rich foods top the list for Betsy as your body is obviously losing a lot of iron during your period. And being deficient in iron can make you feel terrible — foggy brain, tired, ornery. Foods like salmon and other fatty fish, beans like lentils, sunflower seeds, tofu, leafy greens and lean red meats have lots of iron. Check out Betsy’s delicious recipefor flank steak with sweet potatoes and veggies for an iron kick.