By The Catcall Team
Photos by Whitney Young

When the period monster comes for its monthly visit, having the perfect range of snacks is an absolute must. Afterall, shedding the lining of your uterus is exhausting—not to mention the draining mood swings, cramps, sore boobs, and other symptoms that go along with the “joys” of menstruating.

In times of dire need, it can be helpful to have pre-planned snacks at your disposal—or a list you can hand your significant other so they can go shopping for you. So, we rounded up a mixture of satisfying, healthy, delicious, and guilty-pleasure bites that make for the perfect period snacks—eat up.

Seneca Pink Lady Apple Chips

Put down the potato chips—unless that’s what you’re craving because in this house we listen to our bodies—because apple chips are the best choice when it comes to a crunchy snack that will make you feel good. Potato chips are great, but apple chips offer something that Lays could never: a mouth-watering bite that doesn’t make you crash in ten minutes. They’re sweet, not too sugary, and have only 10 grams of sugar. Apples not your thing? You can never go wrong with banana chips.

Scott’s Protein Balls

Not only are these high-protein balls absolutely delicious, but the high protein in this snack will fill you up and make you feel good. They help fight off hanger, are the perfect on-the-go breakfast, and offer a great post-workout protein snack—whether your workout consists of lifting weights or fighting off cramps. Plus, Scott’s are all organic and plant-based protein, gluten-free, and vegan. (But made in a facility that processes eggs, so people with allergies beware!)

Little Red Kitchen Cookies

Need a little treat? These individually wrapped cookies from Little Red Kitchen are just the things. They taste like they came fresh from the bakery down the street, plus they’re made with all-natural and fair trade ingredients you can pronounce. We’re a sucker for a perfect chocolate chip cookie, and the flaked sea salt baked into Little Red Kitchen’s classic cookie made a decadent bite. Meanwhile, their s’mores cookies made us all feel like we were sitting around a campfire. You can order cookies directly from Little Red Kitchen here. Even better, subscribe to their cookie of the month club for a monthly delivery of new flavors—maybe you can time it your period.

Fudge Brownie M&Ms

Chocolate during your period? Groundbreaking. Ok, but seriously, why fix something if it ain’t broke? And these Fudge Brownie M&Ms are the furthest thing from broke…but still very affordable. Like, M&Ms are great, but this decadent version is next-level. Imagine putting that brownie taste together with the crunch of an M&M—it’s like bite-sized versions of the corner piece of a brownie pan. And when you’re menstruating, indulging is what’s on the agenda. Just show your PMS these M&Ms and it’ll get it. Now when it comes to chocolate, we don’t discriminate. So the runner-ups include Caramel, Peanut Butter, and Pretzel M&Ms.  

Roasted & Salted Pistachios

Research suggests hormonal changes during menstruation and PMS can cause food cravings—and salty foods are at the tippy top of that list. So when you’re craving salty, reach immediately for those roasted & salted pistachios. Because you know what else pistachios have? Loads of magnesium. And magnesium has been found to help reduce period cramps, especially when combined with vitamin B6—which pistachios ALSO have (check out this study by the National Library of Medicine). Delicious and good for you? Um, hell yes. And lazy babe energy over here: we like to splurge on the shelled pack because who has time to shell nuts on their period? It’s a little pricey, but it’s worth indulging every so often… or every ~28 days.

---