Having your period can be difficult enough without having to worry about what foods are safe to eat. Many women experience cravings during their period especially for foods like chocolate. But when it comes to seafood like shrimp is it okay to indulge or should you avoid it? In this article, we’ll take a look at the facts around eating shrimp on your period and help you make the right choice for your body.
Why Some Avoid Seafood on Their Period
There’s a common belief that you shouldn’t eat seafood like shrimp while menstruating. This stems from the cultural taboo around periods and the notion that women are “unclean” during this time. Many cultures around the world prohibit women from preparing food, attending religious ceremonies, or even touching others during menstruation due to this outdated association.
But scientifically speaking, there’s no reason to avoid shrimp or other seafood just because you happen to be on your period. Your flow has no impact on the safety or nutritional value of these foods However, that doesn’t mean the choice is clear cut for everyone. Let’s explore some of the reasons why someone may want to moderate their shrimp intake during their menstrual cycle
Potential for Bloating and Diarrhea
Two common period symptoms are bloating and diarrhea. This results from hormonal shifts that can disrupt your digestive system. For some women, eating foods that are high in dietary cholesterol like shrimp may exacerbate these issues.
Shrimp contains 182 mg of cholesterol per 3-ounce serving. That’s over half of the 300 mg daily limit recommended by the American Heart Association. Such large quantities of cholesterol can be difficult for your body to process and may lead to stomach pains, gas bloating, and loose stools if your menstrual flow has already affected bowel movements.
So if you already struggle with digestive trouble during your period, shrimp and other high cholesterol shellfish may not be the best choice. You don’t necessarily have to avoid them altogether, but be mindful of portion sizes. Stick to just 2-3 ounces of shrimp with a meal and see how your body responds. Scale back if you experience discomfort afterwards.
Potential for Iodine Toxicity
Another concern around seafood like shrimp is its high iodine content. Just 3 ounces of shrimp provides over 100% of the recommended daily amount of iodine. For most people, this isn’t a problem. But too much iodine can potentially lead to thyroid dysfunction for those predisposed to conditions like autoimmune thyroiditis.
Iodine toxicity from eating shrimp is rare, but women with a personal or family history of thyroid issues should exercise some caution. Consuming very large amounts of shrimp or other iodine dense foods may exacerbate underlying thyroid problems or trigger new ones in those already at risk.
Again, you don’t necessarily have to avoid shrimp altogether. Just be conscious of portion sizes and how you feel afterwards. For those with thyroid concerns, sticking to just 1-2 servings of shrimp a week is a good guideline. You can also limit other iodine sources like milk, eggs, and fortified salt. Getting your levels checked regularly helps detect problems early.
The Benefits of Seafood Like Shrimp
Now that we’ve looked at some of the potential drawbacks, let’s discuss the benefits of eating shrimp and other seafood during your period. Far from being something to avoid, shrimp actually contains nutrients that can help alleviate menstrual symptoms.
** Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Cramp Relief**
Shrimp is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. Research indicates that consuming omega-3s can significantly decrease menstrual cramp severity and discomfort. The key is getting enough EPA and DHA omega-3s in your diet, which shrimp provides.
Iron to Combat Fatigue and Dizziness
Many women become iron deficient during their period, especially if bleeding is heavy. Lack of iron leads to anemia, causing exhaustion, muscle weakness, and dizziness. Just 3 ounces of shrimp contains 2 mg of iron, which helps restore normal iron levels to fight fatigue.
Vitamin B12 and Selenium for Mood Support
Shrimp contains vitamin B12 and the antioxidant mineral selenium. Studies show that vitamin B12 and selenium deficiencies can contribute to depression, anxiety, and irritability. Eating shrimp provides these nutrients to help stabilize mood swings during PMS and menstruation.
Lean Protein to Control Cravings
Shrimp is packed with satiating protein but very low in calories – just 84 calories in 3 ounces. Eating shrimp and other lean proteins helps control cravings and prevent overindulging on sugar and refined carbs during your period. This further aids mood and energy levels.
Are the Risks Worth the Benefits of Shrimp?
As we’ve discussed, there are some potential downsides to eating shrimp during menstruation. But for most women, the multitude of nutrients shrimp provides outweigh those risks.
If you don’t normally experience severe digestive issues or have thyroid problems, enjoying shrimp in moderation is perfectly fine and even beneficial. The omega-3s, iron, B12, selenium and protein in shrimp can all help counteract common period symptoms.
On the other hand, if you find that shrimp does exacerbate stomach upset or you have thyroid concerns, you may want to avoid it during your period. Focus on getting those nutrients from other foods instead. Some examples include walnuts, spinach, tofu, lentils, and tempeh.
At the end of the day, pay attention to how your body responds. Let your own experiences guide you rather than cultural taboos around menstruation. Every woman is different, so find the right balance for your needs by being informed. Listen to your body’s signals when making dietary choices while on your period.
Avoid These Foods During Periods | Women’s Health | Foods to Avoid in Menstruation
FAQ
What seafood is good for your period?
What should we not do in periods?
Why can’t you eat egg on your period?
What to eat to get a heavy period?
What foods should I avoid during my period?
Again, PGE2 is heavily linked to inflammation, so it would be wise to avoid the fats that stimulate its production throughout your entire menstrual cycle—and especially before your period. That means limiting foods heavy in omega-6 fatty acids, such as dairy, meats, and other processed foods.
What are the side effects of eating shrimp?
Shrimp allergy can be identified from signs and symptoms that appear after consuming shrimp or smelling it, such as itching, the appearance of red plaques on the skin, swelling in the face, especially in the eyes and mouth, and in the throat creating the feeling of a lump in the throat.
Can you eat junk food during your period?
Thankfully, there are many good foods to eat during your period, in addition to foods that help with cramps. The best-period foods are rich in nutrients, provide fiber, and are not highly processed. It is pretty common for women to crave “junk food” during their period, and sometimes giving in to that craving is fine.
Is your diet causing your period symptoms?
While it may be tempting to reach for the cookie or a bag of chips, you may be aggravating your period symptoms by throwing your hormones even further out of whack. A well-balanced diet can support your fluctuating hormones and help with various period symptoms by restoring balance throughout your body.