When talking about PMS and period symptoms, diet is vital. However, eating healthily while on your period can be a bit of a challenge. Many of our cravings are erratic, extreme and unhealthy, and the foods we eat can have a huge impact on our bodies.

During menstruation and pre-menstruation, our hormones are all over the place and our bodies already feel like they’re falling apart, so it’s really important to make sure that what you eat isn’t making things worse.

Caffeine – with your fluctuating hormones leaving your mental state a little out of sorts, the last thing you want to do is introduce a stimulant like caffeine to throw your body into overdrive and cause more erratic mood swings. Coffee is the obvious one, but many fizzy drinks also contain caffeine.

Sugary foods – these will cause a sudden spike in energy levels, which will feel good at first, but your energy levels will crash just as suddenly, leaving you even more grumpy and lethargic than you started.

Dairy products  Everyone likes a cup of warm milk during those painful cramps. However, dairy products are known to contain an acid (arachidonic acid, to be precise) which in turn can cause and aggravate cramps.

Alcohol –Who doesn’t like having a shot or two of alcohol, if it helps you forget your cramp pain? However, having too much alcohol can cause your period symptoms to worsen. Better stay away.

Red meat – Foods high in saturated fats, like red meat should be avoided as they can worsen your cramps, bloating and acne. Instead, consuming leaner meats like skinless chicken or fish and other proteins is a better idea.