Fresh fruit and vegetables, whole foods such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, seeds and nuts, lean meat, fish and chicken, unsaturated fats, low fat dairy products, plenty of pure water, fruit juices and herbal teas are valuable to maintaining us in a healthy state. Junk foods, refined sugars, tea and coffee, cola and other fizzy drinks, alcohol, salt and saturated fats such as those in fried foods, red meat and butter are best avoided or eaten in limited quantities. Dietary supplements may be useful if a wholesome diet by itself is not helping. Consulting a health practitioner is advisable so as to tailor dosages to your needs. Vegetables need to be eaten raw as cooking destroys B vitamins.
Vitamin E promotes hormonal balance and helps reduce breast tenderness.
When vitamin E is taken, vitamin C becomes depleted. Vitamin C helps relieve stress, supports the immune system and has a diuretic effect. Magnesium deficiency is related to all types of PMS and may explain the common craving for chocolate, which is magnesium rich, when premenstrual. Potassium helps regulate fluid retention. Women who experience bloating may be potassium deficient.