My fellow foodies, this one’s for you! Because I know I’m not the only one thinking about what I’m gonna have for dinner during breakfast, and those period cravings tend to intensify this by 100000000. I personally love using my period as an excuse to indulge a bit, because studies show we need those extra calories to help with fatigue and stabilize mood…right!?
RELATED POST: 7 Holistic Menstrual Cycle Hacks to Help You Thrive During Your Period
But depending on who, what, and where you read, there are “good” and “bad” foods for helping or hindering menstrual symptoms, and you’ll find the same item on both lists if you look long enough. While fruits and vegetables are often a safe bet, what if you’re craving something a liiiiiittle more substantial? I can’t tell you the last time I was on my period and said, “I could really go for some kale right now!”
The rule I try to live by is consuming whole foods, aka things with ingredients that I can pronounce and that my great grandma would be able to recognize. From there, it’s important to listen to your body and identify what your individual gut and hormones love and hate, and then eat accordingly. We’re all different in what affects us— I personally used the autoimmune paleo protocol (AIP) to learn about my food intolerances and have been mindfully eating and experimenting ever since.
RELATED POST: The Time I Went AIP for a Month + the Recipes I’m Still Using Today
The only foods I avoid while on my period are those that cause inflammation (gluten, soy, and processed sugar are my top three), as they tend to exacerbate my cramps, bloating, and fatigue. Otherwise, I eat juuuuust about anything my heart desires as long as it falls into that whole foods category.
This requires a bit more planning, effort, and time in the kitchen, but I’ve found the perfect menstrual cycle snack that I make again and again to satisfy my salty/savory/sweet cravings. Right before my period, I make sure my grocery cart includes these four (yes…only four!!!) ingredients to make my favorite treat of all time— bacon wrapped dates, and I’m officially set for the inevitable pre-period hormone plunge and first few days of my cycle.
BACON WRAPPED DATES INGREDIENTS
- Dates:
- High in fiber which helps the liver flush out estrogen; important for those who are estrogen dominant
- A complex carbohydrate that helps stabilize serotonin and dopamine levels to prevent mood swings and energy dips
- High in potassium which can ease muscle cramps
- Goat Cheese:
- A dairy option that’s often more easily digested compared to cow’s milk products
- A good source of protein and fat to help prevent mood swings and energy dips
- Contains magnesium and niacin (for cramps), iron (for fatigue), riboflavin and calcium (for PMS), and selenium (anti-inflammatory)
- Uncured Bacon:
- Uncured is important to ensure that sugar and other ingredients haven’t been added during processing
- A good source of protein and fat to help prevent mood swings and energy dips
- Contains thiamine (for PMS), niacin and B6 (for cramps), iron and B12 (for fatigue), selenium (anti-inflammatory)
- Balsamic Glaze:
- The icing on the cake of bacon wrapped dates and simply tastes amazing!
- If your body finds this upsetting, then leave it off, but this combo really elevates the dish IMO *chef’s kiss*
BACON WRAPPED DATES INSTRUCTIONS
Yield: 9 dates (can eeeeeasily be doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc. *wink wink*, they just need to be made in multiples of three)
- 9 pitted deglet dates
- 3 slides uncured bacon (thinner sliced works best)
- soft goat cheese
- 9 toothpicks
- balsamic glaze
1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
3. Use scissors to cut open one side of the pitted date by sliding one blade of the scissors through the holes, then cutting.
4. Stuff the dates with goat cheese, amount according to your preference.
5. Cut the bacon slides into thirds for a total of nine slices. Wrap each slice around the stuffed dates and secure with a toothpick.
6. Place the bacon wrapped dates on the baking sheet, evenly spaced.
7. Bake at 425 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
8. Remove the dates from the baking sheet and place on a serving dish. Drizzle with balsamic glaze.
I make these at least twice a week while I’m on my period, they’re an easy go-to for parties, and if you ever need to reheat them I must recommend the air fryer.
While this recipe works for me, some of these ingredients may not be right for you. I’ve included why these are a period staple in my book (beyond the fact that they’re ridiculously delicious), and unless you have a known reaction or intolerance to any of the above, I double dog dare you to give these a try.
As a woman with endometriosis, I understand the seriousness of eating to support your hormones and menstrual cycle, but I don’t believe you have to unnecessarily restrict yourself to see success. Being happy and enjoying life play a large role in hormone management too, and finding the ~magic~ sweet spot where all of the above intersect is a beautiful thing.
If you give these a try, will you let me know what you think!? And don’t hesitate to make these for your next girl’s night in or share this recipe with the friend who texts you mid period to relay her craving of the hour. Your menstrual cycle really can be a time that you look forward to with a bit of proactivity and mindfulness, and a plate of these bacon wrapped dates always seems to help.
-Amanda
Disclaimer: The content provided here does not constitute medical advice, nor is it a substitute for personalized healthcare. If you have concerns about a medical condition, diagnosis, or treatment, you should consult with a licensed healthcare professional.
