Period Sovereignty - II🩸

My sweet angels,

I hope the information in yesterday’s letter wasn’t too much to digest.

I spoke about ancient cultures that revered menstruating women, the concept of free bleeding, and so on.

Today I’ll keep it light by sharing something that has worked for me to keep my diet in check during menstruation.

In the media, period days are often represented with massive cravings for carbs, candy, packaged chips, chocolates, and all kinds of junk food. It’s even suggested to men to offer women these things as a gesture of affection on the days they are feeling “low.”

But has anyone tried to ask the WHY? Why do women feel low? And is that normal? Nature has authority over science. Scientific interventions against the law of nature cannot come without cost.

When on periods, the body demands rest and a nourishing diet. Cravings in periods are caused by an imbalance in the body’s blood sugar. Consuming too many carbs at a time without balancing them off with protein or fat increases blood sugar exponentially. Then, after the blood sugar plummets, the body works to normalize it, which in turn creates cravings for carb-rich food because:

- Carbs digest quickly, faster than protein and fats.

- Carbs directly impact the blood sugar levels of our body.

Over time, the body adapts to this process and ultimately demands it.

My tried and tested diet at that time of the month:

• 🥚 30 grams of protein to start the day. Protein fills us up for longer and, over time, the cravings will disappear. I eat sunny side-ups or a veggie omelet with a ton of butter (20 grams). This is followed up with 🌹 rose tea, which reduces the physical symptoms of menstruation and maintains psychological temperament.

• This is followed up with 🍖 60-80 grams of lamb liver, or some charcuterie meat, my second breakfast at around 11 am. And some 🌺 hibiscus tea ten minutes later, for that kick we need during noon when the sun’s high up.

• An hour or so later, I take a cup of 🍑 Greek yogurt and top it off with fresh fruit (mango these days).

• For lunch, I have a huge bowl of 🍗 chicken breast (300 grams or more) seared in butter, with a side of grilled veggies like bell pepper and French beans.

• During the evening, I want to rest and relax and nothing beats some 🍲 bone broth (lamb) cooked at low heat with the right spices! I have it with a side of boiled rice tempered lightly.

• I finish the day with a cup of 🥛 warm milk, topped with some ghee, for extra flavor and additional fats.

This isn’t the hard and fast plan, but yes, my protein intake remains the same. I may eat additional rice, baked potatoes, and fruits here and there, but I do not take sugar, gluten, or caffeine. If you feel the carb craving has overpowered you, take the carb with protein or fat. I eat baked potatoes with Greek yogurt when I MUST eat carbs.

My focus is to eat as much protein and fat over carbs so I’m full all the time and not in need of stimulants. This diet doesn’t cause flatulence and helps maintain energy and mood throughout the day.

Hope the plan helps!

Yours,

Zitni Zun <3