Written By: Koya Webb
The symptoms of PMS can be uncomfortable to deal with. From bloating and feeling moody to aches and cramping, I’ve found that sometimes the best way to approach these symptoms is from a holistic point of view. The cleaner you eat and the fewer toxins you put on and in your body the less work your body has to do to cleanse itself. When I hydrate with a gallon of water a day and eat clean my PMS is less or nonexistent. While our body is cleansing itself we want to make sure we aren’t putting more toxins in at that time of the month.
Taking the holistic approach to combating PMS symptoms doesn’t just limit itself to the foods you eat. It also applies to what you put into your body as well. The foods that you give your body have the ability to heal and alleviate some of the symptoms you deal with monthly.
I am going to provide a smoothie recipe that can help combat PMS symptoms. It is a recipe I always go to whenever I am dealing with the symptoms of PMS as it makes me feel much better.
One thing that I love about smoothies is that you can cater them to meet your own needs based on the nutritious and antioxidant-filled ingredients you place in them.
For this smoothie recipe, you’ll need:
- 2 cups of water (or almond milk)
- 1 medium beet
- 1 avocado
- Dash of cinnamon
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- 1 inch of ginger
Add all of the ingredients into your blender and blend!
To highlight some of the ingredients in this recipe that are great to combat PMS symptoms, both ginger and beetroot are amazing food sources due to their anti-inflammatory properties. Beetroot has the ability to reduce water retention which tends to be the main cause of menstrual bloating. Ginger works in similar ways to alleviate bloating and even relieve cramps.
Avocado is another highlight ingredient of this smoothie as it not only gives the smoothie its creamy taste, it also is a great healthy fat that is loaded with potassium. If you are allergic to avocado or are not a fan of its taste, feel free to use banana or mango, other great sources of potassium.
Foods have the power to heal our bodies and relieve discomfort that we may feel from time to time. Before you decide to reach for an over-the-counter medicine to alleviate your PMS symptoms, try making this smoothie recipe and cleaning up your diet a week before your period first.