Girls, let's be real. Menstrual cramps, or as we usually call it, period pain, can be excruciatingly uncomfortable. 

Besides trying our best to relieve the pain using hot water bottles and rest, there are other ways to prevent it as well. Today, we will be discussing the food to avoid when we are "surfing the crimson wave". 

Photo source: pwhc

#1 Avoid Cold-Natured Fruits

Best avoid eating cold-natured fruits a week before your period to save yourself from menstrual cramps. Some examples of this type of fruits include - watermelon, persimmon, loquat, mango, banana, cantaloupe, honeydew, orange, plum, kiwi, and pear. 

However, no need to worry as there are warm-natured fruits to choose from for your daily dose of vitamins too. These include - apple, peach, strawberry, cherry, red dates, dragonfruit, grape, and pineapple. 

#2 Avoid Cold-Natured Vegetables 

Same as cold-natured fruits, we should also prevent eating cold-natured vegetables as well. 

Common cold-natured vegetables include - cucumber, tomato, green beans, job's tears (Chinese pearl barley), radish, bamboo shoots, winter melon, kelp, eggplant, loofah/luffa gourd, chives, and sauerkraut. 

Both cold-natured fruits and vegetables can affect your period and can cause more uncomfortable cramps. 

Photo source: CBS News

#3 Avoid Fruits and Vegetables that Cause Stomach Discomfort

Although fruits and vegetables are said to be nutritious for our body, we still have to keep a lookout for some that can cause us more distress when Aunt Flow comes to visit. 

Common vegetables to avoid include - kimchi, pickles, onion, pepper, chilli, shallot, ginger, garlic, and Millet pepper. 

Common fruits to avoid include - lemon, hawthorn, sour apricots, sour plum, and carambola (star fruit), 

Photo source: Everyday Health

#4 Avoid Tea, Coffee and Alcohol

Tea that is too concentrated may contain caffeine that can affect our metabolism and period volume. 

Constant intake of coffee may disturb our period flow, and may also influence our emotions, leading to mood swings and anxiousness. 

Besides that, caffeine in the drinks above can cause sleep problems and dehydration as well. 

Intake of alcohol during our period may cause imbalanced hormones and emotional rollercoasters, thus it is best to be avoided. 

Photo source: The Economic Times

#5 Avoid Unhealthy Comfort Food 

Despite the temptation and cravings for junk food, it should be avoided if we want a less painful and more comfortable period. Any junk food should be avoided if possible, especially chocolate, ice cream, dairy products and fizzy drinks. 

Chocolate contains caffeine that can cause mood swings, while ice cream causes more uncomfortable cramps. Dairy products may disturb the absorption of magnesium into the body, thus causing painful cramps, whereas fizzy drinks may cause bloating and discomfort. 

Photo source: Unilever Food Solutions

#6 Avoid Seafood 

Most seafood is considered as cold-natured food and should be avoided during our period. These include - oysters, crabs, river snails, clams, jellyfish, sea shrimp, and squid. 

However, normal fish can still be eaten for protein, so there is no need to worry. 

Photo source: healthupdate

In a nutshell, we should take good care of our own bodies with proper rest and nutrition during each menstrual cycle. Avoid eating cold-natured food and food that is rich with caffeine, and make sure to exercise regularly for a smoother flow.