It has been about a year since my entire diet has changed! I went from a normal diet, to a vegan, high raw, low fat diet, but the changes in my menstrual cycle/torture/PMS didn't really occur until I began eating a low fat diet. When I say low fat, I mean, my percentage of calories were around 10% or less, coming from PLANT sources! (I DO NOT promote or recommend 'low-fat' foods as in low-fat yogurt, low-fat snacks, or low fat cheeses/milks/ice cream, those are all highly processed and un-natural foods.) Fat should come from plant sources, preferably from whole food like nuts, olives, coconut flesh, etc.
The first couple months of my transition I had been still eating a 'high fat' diet, vegan of-course, but full of raw sweet treats, oil on salad, bags of almonds (not even kidding), but this was part of the processes! Going from a standard diet to high raw-low fat vegan is not simple. The body is used to fatty foods, high in salt, high in sugar (processed/refined). When the transition begins, you will want to replace those foods with vegan options. Once you take that step, you will slowly reduce the fat, and then naturally you will crave and need less fat in your diet1
Ok, back to the monthly torture! The first thing I noticed was a month free of PMS!!!! I mean, seriously, waiting for your period to come is usually as annoying as the actual menstrual cycle. The weeks of bloating, cramping, feeling tired, mad, sad, grumpy, you name it! So you can imagine the feeling when the weeks pass and none of this is happening...right, I must be pregnant!! I checked my calendar, even double checked with friends to make sure I was counting properly! Yup, my period should come any day, and I have not experienced any fore warning.
It must be a fluke!!! This is crazy! My entire life I was lead to believe cramps, bloating and PMS were NORMAL, I could even purchase pills to help alleviate these 'symptoms'. I waited for the next month to come, and my dreaded symptoms to return... but nothing! Two months in a row, then 3, then 4, then 5! Could it be true? Is diet the answer?
It is the answer, at-least for me and many other high raw-low fat vegans out there! I began to go through Youtube, Facebook, and blogs in search of women who have experienced the same symptom free menstrual cycles like me. What I had discovered is that most, if not all who eat raw or high raw, low fat, high carb, and VEGAN all have very light periods, no bloating, no mood swings, and no cramping!!
Not only was my PMS gone, but my actual period changed. I use to suffer through a 7 day (5 if I was lucky) cycle, and 2-3 days being very heavy. I had cramps as well. Teaching fitness classes during my cycle was terrible. I did it, but man did I struggle through it!! Now my cycle is about 3-5 days, light to medium flow! I rarely have cramps, if I do, they are very light! I have high energy, I feel good and I am pain free!
I believe the answer to this new 'symptom' free life is keeping the fat low. Excessive fat has been linked to girls getting their periods at much younger ages. It has also been linked to low energy and fatigue! So eating a Standard American Diet, which is high in fat (especially from animal products and processed foods) could be contributing to our monthly suffering. If you eat a lot of meat & dairy, not only are those foods high in fat, but they are most likely loaded with antibiotics, GMO feed, and growth hormones.That may also be a contributing factor. The reason why I say fat is the issue is because I didn't see a change in my cycle/PMS until I reduced my fat intake.
Imagine if you could get rid of your 'symptoms' by reducing or removing high fat foods from your diet! So....could we say the FAT is the CAUSE??? I love the statement "Remove Cause, And There Are No Symptoms To Treat". I did just that...accidentally, but I did it! I am symptom free!
