Sick and tired of feeling sick and tired?  Many women are and they are looking for help with PMS relief.  Relief can be obtained through several approaches, or a combination.  Simply adjusting your diet can have excellent results.  Many may first think to ask their doctor for a medication or hormone or another pill, but that may not be the best first step. 

Since symptoms are characterized by bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, backaches, food cravings, cramps, and unpleasant mood swings there are certain lifestyle factors that can influence the severity or the longevity of PMS such as diet, exercise, stress, or consuming too much caffeine.  

By including certain foods in your diet and cutting out others, you can reduce your PMS issues greatly.  Some of the foods that are good to include are foods rich in phytoestrogens including soy, rye, chickpeas and flaxseeds.  Also, fruit and vegetables are great for an increase in vitamins and minerals and overall health. 

Women with PMS frequently crave and binge on high-sugar food and drinks before menstruation. The starches she recommends are complex carbohydrates such as whole grain breads, crackers, pasta, popcorn, pizza, pancakes, cereals, potatoes, and rice dishes.

It is important to cut out, or at least significantly reduce, the amount of sugary foods and drinks, as well as caffeine.  These all affect the severity of PMS and can increase your discomfort.  If cutting out these completely is not possible, then take them in moderation.  Less is better in this area.  Even one cup of a caffeinated beverage can increase your irritability, fatigue and edgy feelings.

Another thing that seems to help is to eat smaller meals more often, which seems to decrease the desire for cravings and binge eating and also increases mood and metabolism.  Eat healthy snacks and include things like fruit, vegetables and protein or healthy carbohydrates.

Making these changes may not be easy to do at first and will require will power and maybe a partner to come along side you, but it will be well worth the effort.  Once you have a month with fewer PMS symptoms or less severe ones, you will see the benefit of eating healthier and it will get easier. 

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