Let’s Talk Periods: Snacks, Sweat, and Sanity-Saving Sips

Okay, ladies. Can we just all agree that dealing with your cycle every month is like being cast in a drama you did not audition for? The cravings. The cramps. The mood swings that make you question everything—including whether anyone should ever speak to you again.

So let’s flip the script. Instead of dreading our cycles, let’s start working with them. I’ve pulled together my go-to sanity-savers—what I snack on, how I move my body, and why Happy Juice is basically my secret weapon for not spiraling. This isn’t about perfection. This is about feeling like yourself again.

Week 1: Menstrual (Aka: The “Don’t Talk to Me” Week)
Let’s be honest. During this phase, I’m moving slow, saying no, and fully embracing that rest is productive. This is the part where your hormones are bottomed out and energy is low, so instead of pushing through, I pull back.

What I sip:
Happy Juice. Every. Single. Morning. It’s not magic, but it’s close. Helps with my mood, bloat, and brain fog, which is a lot more than I can say for heating pads and sarcasm.

What I eat:
Iron-rich foods (because we’re losing iron, y’all). I love spinach smoothies, dark chocolate (bless it), and warm, grounding meals like soups or a hearty lentil stew.

How I move:
Gentle stretching, yoga, or walking if I’m feeling it. If not, I lay in child’s pose and call it self-care. Because it is.

Week 2: Follicular (Aka: “She’s Back”)
Energy is rising. Estrogen is climbing. This is when I feel more like myself and less like a moody extra in a sad indie film.

What I sip:
Still team Happy Juice. It gives my brain the support it needs to keep up with my to-do list and creative ideas that decide to show up out of nowhere.

What I eat:
Protein and fiber—give me a Greek yogurt bowl with berries, chia seeds, and almonds and I’m happy. Add a little dark chocolate on the side and I’m thrilled.

How I move:
Light strength training. Dumbbell circuits with 10-12 reps. Think squats, bent-over rows, shoulder presses, and glute bridges. I keep it snappy—about 30 minutes, tops.

Week 3: Ovulation (Aka: “Main Character Energy”)
Peak energy, peak confidence, and if I’m being real, peak cravings too. My workouts get a little bolder, my snacks get a little sassier, and I ride the wave.

What I sip:
Happy Juice still hits—but now it’s helping me harness that energy, instead of bouncing off the walls. Focus, stamina, and not losing my temper in traffic? Yes, please.

What I eat:
Fresh, colorful food. Salads with lean protein, roasted veggies, citrus, and maybe a handful of tortilla chips. We’re balanced over here, not boring.

How I move:
This is the time for your stronger dumbbell days. Think supersets: lunges + bicep curls, push-ups + renegade rows. Add in some short bursts of cardio (jump squats or fast marches) if you’re feelin’ it.

Week 4: Luteal (Aka: “Why Am I Crying?”)
Progesterone is rising. Energy is dropping. Emotions are… extra. It’s also when PMS comes knocking with a suitcase full of “meh.”

What I sip:
Happy Juice is non-negotiable. I mean it. It helps stabilize my mood when I’m one Target run away from losing it.

What I eat:
Complex carbs like sweet potatoes, brown rice, or oatmeal to help with serotonin. Protein-packed snacks like boiled eggs or tuna-stuffed peppers. Oh, and magnesium-rich stuff like bananas and pumpkin seeds—trust me on this one.

How I move:
Lower intensity strength or flowy movement. Yoga style exercises or a slower dumbbell flow with deep breathing baked in. Think: squat to press, slow RDLs, or wall sits. Also, walking. Always walking.

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to “crush” every workout or say no to every craving. But giving your body what it needs—at each phase—is a whole different kind of power move.

You deserve to feel supported, not run over by your own hormones. So drink your Happy Juice, move your body with intention, and snack like you’re on your own wellness team—because you are.

Now go take on the day. Period and all.