Periods are pretty magical in that they allow many of us the ability to reproduce if and when we choose to do so. But they also come with plenty of downsides. Bleeding through a pair of white linen pants is one. Feeling so bloated you cant even wear said pants to begin with is another.

And then of course theres the pain. Period cramps are the result of the normal breakdown of the uterine lining during your period, explains Stephanie McClellan, M.D., an OB/GYN and chief medical officer at Tia, but they can still make you feel like you have a small troll using your uterus as a punching bag. They can keep you away from your workouts, away from having a nice night out with friends, away from being able to play on the rug with your child, away from your office, away from everything.

Fortunately, there are some ways to combat period pain. They say food can be used as medicine, so we asked the experts about foods that help with cramps. (Spoiler alert: A pint of Ben & Jerrys sadly isnt one of them.)

A small study found that women that drank ginger tea during the first few days of their period reduced their abdominal cramps, says Lisa C. Andrews, MEd, RD, and president of the Ohio Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. Andrews recommends steeping a piece of peeled fresh ginger and some lemon slices in hot water to create a tea that should help alleviate cramps.

Omega-3-fatty acids like those found in ground flax can have anti-inflammatory effects, which helps reduce pain, says Andrews. Ground flaxseed can be added to oats, smoothies or yogurt, she suggests.

There is evidence that regular inclusion of ground flax can actually shorten the duration of periods, adds Lindsay Malone, a registered dietitian and adjunct professor of nutrition and wellness at Case Western Reserve University.

Other omega-3 rich foods recommended by Malone are walnuts, chia seeds, and wild fish like salmon.

Mayo Clinic reports magnesium as one of several supplements that have been used in numerous studies and shown to potentially reduce menstrual cramps. Nuts and seeds are a good source of magnesium and vitamin E, says Andrews. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale also contain magnesium.

Other magnesium-rich foods include avocados, tofu, and brown rice.

Turmeric can also potentially provide some relief. A lot of the pain that accompanies cramps is caused by inflammation, and there are few foods as great at battling inflammation as turmeric.

Add this beautiful yellow spice it to your rice, scrambled eggs, potatoes, whatever in order to reduce inflammation and, hopefully, pain.

Foods rich in thiamine can also be powerful period pain fighters. One study has shown that 100mg per day of Thiamine can be helpful, says Dr. McClellan. Some thiamin-rich options to consider eating during your period include pork, brown rice, and legumes.

However, you may want to stick to thiamin-fortified foods like breakfast cereals. The reason? Cooking food rich in thiamine reduces the amount of bioavailable thiamine from that food source, warn Dr. McClellan.

The golden rule when youre dealing with cramps? Avoid foods that can contribute to inflammation or cause GI upset like sugar, alcohol, soda and fried foods, says Malone. If youre sensitive to dairy, add that to the list as well.

Dr. McClellan also advises avoiding or at least minimize their alcohol and caffeine intake. That might mean replacing your morning latte with a small cup of green tea, which can effectively reduce some bloating (and potentially reduce cramping in the process). As for happy hour? You may want to skip it altogether.

At the end of the day, whether its cramps or any other ailment, it all comes down to balance. It's important to remember the overall pattern of the diet is more important than any single food that may provide relief, says Malone.

Originally Appeared on Glamour

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5 Foods That Help Cramps - Yahoo Lifestyle