WUKA menstrual lifestyle expert shares complete guide to veganism and the menstrual cycle.
The menstrual cycle can be impacted by any lifestyle change, whether that be diet, sleep, or exercise. With Veganuary on the horizon and over half a million people expected to take part, it’s wise for women to understand how changing their diet could impact their health.
Ruby Raut, menstrual lifestyle expert at pioneering reusable period product brand, WUKA, says: “With an ever-growing awareness of the multiple benefits of embracing a plant-based diet, Veganuary is an increasingly popular annual event, however, many women are unaware of the impact that a change in diet can have on menstrual health, so if you are considering switching to veganism, it’s important to be informed.
“Our hormones, and subsequently our cycle, can be affected by a range of different foods. As such, almost any change to diet could throw our hormones out of balance and contribute to an irregular cycle.
“By eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, soy products, nuts and seeds, we can ensure we’re providing our body with all of the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain a regular, healthy cycle.”
Read on for Ruby’s complete guide to veganism and the menstrual cycle…
Will a plant-based diet really impact my menstrual health?
As with any change in diet, you need to give additional thought to the variety of foods you’re eating to ensure you are giving your body the right amounts of vitamins, minerals, fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Whether vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian or flexitarian, balance and moderation is key. So long as you continue to ensure a varied diet, going plant-based shouldn’t impact your periods.
What’s the deal with iron?
One of the most important minerals associated with a healthy menstrual cycle is iron, with one of the greatest and most widely known sources of iron being red meat.
Found in red blood cells, iron enables the body to carry out several different functions, helping our muscles, brain and immune system work correctly. A shortage of iron can lead to the onset of anaemia, which can leave you feeling weak and fatigued.
When menstruating, a person loses iron-rich blood, which, combined with a further lack of iron from meat products, can contribute to increased severity of anaemia.
To ensure a healthy intake of iron as part of a vegan diet, you will need to incorporate plenty of iron-rich foods. Make sure you stock up on recipes with the following as your hero ingredients: beans such as kidney beans, edamame beans and chickpeas, nuts, dried fruit, tofu, and dark leafy greens. Fortified breakfast cereals can also be great sources of iron.
It’s important to note that iron found in plant-based foods is not as easily absorbed by the body as that found in red meat, so combine iron-rich foods with foods rich in Vitamin C, which helps the body better absorb the mineral.
So, can I be vegan and have healthy periods?
So long as you’re enjoying a balanced and varied diet, it’s absolutely possible to experience healthy periods on a vegan diet. In fact, there may even be benefits – some people report a reduction in PMS symptoms as a result of the absence of dairy.
As with any lifestyle change, so long as you listen to your body and ensure you’re giving yourself the vitamins and minerals needed to enjoy good health, you can have a healthy period. And if you do notice any major changes in your menstrual cycle, it’s worth consulting with your GP just to be on the safe side.
Is there anything else I should know?
Veganism is more than just a change in diet; it’s a lifestyle, and as such, affects choices in all areas – food, drink, clothing, cosmetics, toiletries, and more, so it’s worth considering other ways you can enjoy being vegan.
Many conventional period products for example, aren’t vegan. Some tampons are tested on animals – particularly on rabbits and baboons – to assess a products durability and side effects.
Not only this, but the environmental impact of single-use period products is often overlooked. Disposable period pads contain up to 90% plastic and two billion menstrual items are flushed down Britain’s toilets every year, polluting our oceans and harming marine wildlife.
Consider reusable menstrual products. Menstrual cups, material pads and period pants, ensure your period products are made from sustainable materials and responsibly sourced. These products tackle the problem of waste and its environmental impact and will ensure your period is 100% vegan and cruelty free.
For more information visit wuka.co.uk.
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Note to editors:
- WUKA Co-Founder, Ruby Raut is available for interview.
- Please contact the WUKA team should you be interested in receiving product samples for review or for competition prizes.
For further press information, please contact:
Rebecca Claxton | Anna Nyman | Elsa Findlay | Julie Aguilera Kemp
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About WUKA
Founded in 2017 by husband and wife team, Ruby Raut and Dave Slocombe, WUKA is the UK’s leading period wear brand and was the first in the UK to produce fully leak-proof reusable period underwear that completely replaces the need for pads and tampons. Just one pair of WUKA period pants can save 200 single-use plastic-riddled disposables from going to landfill or polluting our oceans.
WUKA stands for Wake Up Kick Ass; because nothing should hold women back when on their period. The brand strives to empower the menstruating population, improve access to quality, sustainable period products, eliminate period poverty, and remove period shame and stigma.
Offering a range of award-winning undies to suit different menstrual flows, WUKA period pants hold from two to six tampons worth of period blood; the highest absorbency of any other period products. They are also available in the most extensive range of sizes on the market – from XXS, right up to 6XL.
WUKA also offers period leggings, period sports shorts, period swim bikini briefs, and a number of period accessories and gifts, including a wearable hot water bottle, wash bags, period wellness sets, and starter kits for tweens and teens.
All WUKA products are mindfully created, using the highest quality planet-friendly fabrics, to be both great for the body and good for the environment. From the Better Cotton Initiative, Organic Certified, to Vegan, PETA approved and certified Carbon Neutral+, WUKA underwear is all accredited and designed with the future in mind. Equality, inclusivity, and social & environmental responsibility are at the heart of everything WUKA does.
WUKA is an award winning business and in 2022 received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, as well as the Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year Award, for co-founder Ruby, at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards.
WUKA is available in Morrisons, Superdrug, Planet Organic, Urban Outfitters, and a range of independent zero waste and fashion retailers. You can also purchase WUKA products directly on from www.wuka.co.uk
