11/01/2026

ON SUNDAY January 11, 2026 theSunday Special XI

Foods to avoid • Salty snacks

It is all too easy to reach for crisps or savoury junk food when cravings strike, but processed snacks laden with sodium can work against you. Aini explained that excess salt can lead to water retention, bloating and even more severe cramps. The short-term pleasure is rarely worth the lingering heaviness. • Fried foods In Malaysia, it is almost instinctive to snack on keropok lekor, pisang goreng or other fried favourites. Yet during your period, oily foods can aggravate LQÀDPPDWLRQ DQG GLVFRPIRUW ,I \RX long for something hearty, try roasted or baked sweet potatoes as a lighter, nourishing stand-in. • Sugary drinks “A craving for sweetness is natural, but sugary drinks and sweets tend to give with one hand and take with the other,” Aini said. That means an initial rush is quickly followed by a later crash in blood sugar, leaving you more fatigued and irritable. Fresh fruit, drizzled with honey or paired with Greek yoghurt, will satisfy a sweet tooth without the slump. • Spicy foods If your stomach is already unsettled, ¿HU\ GLVKHV DUH EHVW DYRLGHG 6SLFHV can amplify bloating, indigestion and cramps, compounding discomfort rather than easing it. It might be worth saving the sambal or curry laksa for a calmer week.

Getting enough rest is vital during your menses.

• Alcohol While alcohol is famously discour aged during pregnancy, it is equally unhelpful during your period. If you are already dealing with nausea, fatigue or severe headaches, alcohol can exacer bate these symptoms. Its dehydrating H̆ HFW RQO\ FRPSRXQGV WKH WLUHGQHVV that comes with blood loss, leaving you feeling more drained than restored. This is one indulgence best reserved for another time.

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A craving for sweetness is natural, but sugary drinks and

Keep yourself well hydrated to ease bloating and cut back on coffee if it causes discomfort.

with coffee, try cutting back, switching to decaf or exploring QRQ FR̆ HH DOWHUQDWLYHV ´ VKH advised. What remains non negotiable is hydration. A generous intake of water will ease bloating and support circulation. For something more comfort ing, herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, ginger or cinnamon can soothe both the body and the mood. And if you prefer a splash of natural sweetness, juices like pineapple or or DQJH R̆ HU DQWL LQÀDPPDWRU\ benefits, along with es sential vitamins and minerals.

sweets tend to give with

one hand and take with the other.”

Aini