Throughout your menstrual cycle the key is a balanced diet. This becomes more important during your luteal phase where you might experience cravings resulting from hormonal fluctuations. Try to opt for smaller meals throughout the day, add plenty of fibre and protein to your meals, which will keep you full throughout the day and avoid eating processed food as much as possible. Preparing your meals weekly, stocking up on snacks such as fruits, nuts and yogurt, making sure you drink plenty of water during the day is often. sufficient to ensure you follow a healthy diet.

Hi there, I hope you are well. Here's how you can eat as per each phase of your menstrual cycle. 1) MENSTRUAL PHASE (1-3 -7days)- This is the phase when your endometrial lining is shed and the estrogen and progesterone levels are low. You need to eat foods rich in fibre, protein, good fats , and rich in antioxidants. Pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, kidney beans, bell peppers, red- black grapes, berries are good to consume during this stage. - Follicular phase (3-7 until 12)- During this phase your Estrogen levels are high as there is development of follicles and magnesium levels are low. So, you must include berries, lean meat, lentils, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, avocado, broccoli, citrus fruits, oats,etc. - Ovulatory phase( 12-16)- During this phase there is release of an egg and hence, Estrogen levels are it's peak. Foods rich in fibre can help with increasing Estrogen levels. Salmon, grapes, berries, spinach, lean meat, muskmelon, lentils, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds are great options.

During the menstrual phase, increase your intake of iron-rich foods like green leafy vegetables, lean red meat, lentils, and beans to replace iron lost from bleeding.

In the follicular phase, focus on magnesium-rich foods like pumpkin and flax seeds, lentils, mung beans, broccoli, lettuce, zucchini, avocado, citrus, and pomegranate to help warn off period pain and reduce the effects of estrogen.

Incorporate complex carbohydrates, root veggies, and leafy greens into your diet during this phase.