Feeling as if you could hit someone? Or as if you could eat anchovies and strawberry jam on one sandwich? Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) affects one in three women a couple of days before the onset of a period. You could be one of them.

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Here are some quick and simple things you can do to make things better - for yourself, and all those around you:

• Make sure you eat at least three portions of fruit and vegetables (preferably green leafy ones) every day. More would be better, but three is better than nothing.
• Avoid eating large amounts of refined sugar (sweets, cakes and biscuits) Rather stick to dried or fresh fruit.

• Keep salt consumption to a minimum as salt makes your body water-retentive. Check labels for the salt content of foods - salt often lurks where you least expect it.

• Make sure you eat a diet rich in magnesium, iron, zinc and chromium, essential fatty acids and vitamins B, C and E. Eat fish at least twice during this time. Some liver or lentils could only do you good.

• Never skip meals. To maintain your blood sugar levels, it is better to eat small amounts more often. When you are premenstrual, your calorie requirements increase by 500 Calories a day.

• Eat two snacks per day in addition to your usual three meals. Plan ahead for these by taking some fruit to work.

• Eat protein at both lunch and supper. These could include eggs, chicken, meat, fish or legumes.

• Avoid caffeine, which is found in coffee, tea, cola drinks and chocolate. Switch to rooibos tea for a few days.

(Information from Every Woman's Health Guide by Maryon Stewart and Dr Alan Stewart)

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