YOUR MONTHLY CYCLE IS IMPORTANT—THESE FOODS CAN HELP IT STAY ON TRACK

LET’S TALK ABOUT PERIODS. 

Us female athletes are lucky. Our bodies provide us with a clear signal that our energy needs are on track via our monthly cycle. Missing a period, cycles longer than 45 days (28 days is more common), or a complete loss of your period for several months (athletic amenorrhea) is a sign that you might not be meeting your body’s energy needs.

Athletic amenorrhea is common amongst female runners because we need a tremendous amount of fuel to keep up with the energy demands of distance running. When our bodies are under-fueled, our brains slow the release of important hormones to conserve energy. A skipped period should not be ignored or considered a normal response to training. Estrogen, the hormone that controls our cycle, plays a vital role in keeping our bones healthy and our moods high. Low estrogen levels put you at a higher risk for stress fractures in the short-term and osteoporosis in the long-term (not to mention other health issues that can result from poor nutrition).

The good news is that getting your cycle back on track can be fun and delicious... Read the rest of this article at womensrunning.com. 

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