Four Tools for a Period-Healthy Kitchen
- Meloney Hudson
- May 15, 2025
- 6 min read
The body goes through some dramatic changes during our periods, and some physical sensations are inevitable. But period discomfort can be minimized, and daily vitality maximized, through a lifestyle that includes healthy whole foods like fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, beans, sprouts, and nuts.
These nutrition-dense foods help reduce inflammation in the body that triggers cramping, body aches, and bloating. They provide vitamins and minerals that balance emotions, and fiber that reduces digestive issues. Healthy eating can even minimize PMS symptoms.
Just think; simple, tasty meals are the ticket to more comfortable periods – and a more energetic, vibrant body all month long.
Good news, food prep can be fast and easy with the right tools. In this article, we suggest four helpful tools for a Period-Healthy kitchen to help you fall in love with delicious, healing whole foods for a life of ease and grace.
Please note, we are Amazon affiliates, and our purpose is to inform and inspire. We merely offer suggestions and invite you to explore and research on your own to find the best product for you.
Steamer Basket: A Vegetable Must-Have
A vegetable steaming basket is a fundamental cooking tool and the part of every heathy kitchen. Steaming is a fast way of making veggies tender and enhancing their flavor while maintaining much of their nutrient content.
This is how a steamer basket works:
The basket is placed in a pot containing about an inch of water (the water is below basket level), and vegetables are placed in the basket. Cover the pot, bring the water to boil, and within one to three minutes the vegetables are steamed to a tender crunch, with its bright color and fresh flavor enhanced. Drizzle olive oil over it and add a dash of sea salt, and serve with grain, beans, or sweet potato, or alone, for a delicious and complete meal.
We use steamers every day. There are several styles of steamer baskets, including insert pans that fit into your pot. However, we like stainless steel steamer baskets with expandable leaves, as they can fit in pots of various sizes to accommodate smaller or larger portions of food. They're easy to use and clean, and fold up for easy storage.
KitchenAid Universal Steamer Basket, 10-Inch, Stainless Steel
This well-constructed basket expands up to 10” in size. The easy grasp handle makes it easy to lift out of the pot.
The Lifetime Limited Warranty makes this a product you'll use for years to come.
$25.99 on Amazon
Expandable Steam Basket
Made from stainless steel, this is a similar product as the one above. The difference is the construction is less robust. But it's an affordable way to get started.
$8.59 on Amazon
Blender for Smoothies
Smoothies are a fun and delicious way to get vitamins and minerals that help build health and smooth out PMS and menstrual discomfort. A smoothie is a thick, creamy blended drink made from fresh fruits and veggies, yogurt, coconut water, juices, spices, and/or other items that load in nutrients and fiber that support glowing, good health. They’re cool and refreshing, smooth and satisfying.
A blender is necessary for smoothie-making. As usual, there is a range of qualities and prices of blenders, and no matter how you approach it, it’s a bit of an investment. Here are three we recommend, including two personal-sized ones, based on different price levels.
Economical: Magic Bullet 11-piece set
The magic bullet chops, mixes, blends, whips, grinds and more. Cups are made out of high-impact plastic.
Effortlessly create your favorite meals and snacks like smoothies, omelets, sauces and dips.
250 watts high-torque power base.
Included: (1) 250W motor base, (1) cross-blade, (1) tall cup, (1) short cup, (1) party mug, (2) lip rings, (2) Stay-Fresh resealable lids, (1) to-go lid and 10-second recipe guide.
$39.88
Next Level: nutribullet Pro 900 Watt Personal Blender - 13-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System
900 watts of power
Blades are designed for nutrition extraction, which makes ordinary food into superfood.
Container holds 32 Fluid Ounces
WHAT'S INCLUDED: 1 Power Base, 1 Cross Blade, 2 24-Oz Mugs, 2 Sippy Lids, 2 Lip Rings, 2 Lip Rings With Handles, 1 Care And Instruction Manual, 1 Pocket Nutritionist, 1 Blasting For Optimum Health Recipes Book
$99.87
Professional-Grade: Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender
This is a machine that will support your healthy kitchen for years to come.
Ten variable speeds allow you to refine every texture with culinary precision, from the smoothest purées to the heartiest soups
Aircraft-grade stainless steel blades are designed to handle the toughest ingredients
48-ounce Container: Ideal for blending medium batches for small family meals
$299.95
Rice Cookers
Whole grains, like millet, quinoa, brown rice, and farro are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Whole grains are unprocessed and contain all three parts of the original seed: the bran, germ and endosperm, and these are the treasure troves of nutrition. Grains are also a tasty and satisfying part of a meal and a delicious addition to salads and soups.
Some grains, like millet, quinoa and buckwheat groats, require only about 20 minutes to cook on the stove. But brown rice requires up to 60-minues of cooking, and a rice cooker is a helpful for perfectly-cooked rice without you having to babysit it. Simply measure grain and water, press the button, and at the right time your grain is cooked and will stay warm.
Rice cookers come in many sizes, including large capacity, 10-cup cookers that serve large families. But if you’re looking for something smaller, here are a couple of options:
AROMA® Select Stainless® Rice Cooker
Small size: holds 3-Cup (Uncooked) / 6-Cup (Cooked)
Stainless Steel Inner Pot
Detects when your rice is ready, so you don't even have to set a timer. Automatically switches modes to keep your rice warm!
Also good for soups, oatmeal, and more.
$31.99
COSORI Rice Cooker
10 Cup - family size!
Stainless Steel Steamer Basket
Does more than steam rice: Choose from different types of white and brown rice with texture options, 3 types of grains, 3 types of oats, steamed vegetables, slow cook soups, and sauté flavored rice.
$99.99
Sprouting
Raw vegetables and fruits are invaluable for health. Besides vitamins and minerals, they contain enzymes, which aid in digestion and potentially improve the body's ability to absorb nutrients.
Bean sprouts are considered vegetables. Sprouts are basically beans or seeds that begin growing edible, young shoots (or sprouts.) They’re grown from a variety of seeds, from alfalfa, to chickpea, to broccoli. Sprouts are loaded with enzymes, antioxidants, Vitamins C and K, folate, manganese, phosphorus, iron and fiber.
Some reports suggest sprouts can contain up to 100 times more enzymes than their full-grown counterparts or fresh vegetables. They reduce inflammation, support digestion, and help manage blood sugar. Sprouts are a tasty and textured addition to salads, sandwiches, and other foods.
Packages of sprouted beans are available in the produce section of most stores; however, you can also economically sprout them from seed at home.
Here’s a video to show you how you can sprout from seeds:
To sprout on your own, you need a couple of simple, inexpensive items - basically jars with screened lids. We suggest a couple of options here.
Sprouting Jar Kit
Includes a wide mouth quart Mason Jar with screen sprout lid. Plus stand.
This simple system is a great way to get started on your sprouting adventure.
$13.99
Mason Jar Sprouting Lids
If you already have jars and only need lids, use this.
Stainless Steel
2 pcs
5.99
Seed Boy Brand
Organic Alfalfa Seeds for Sprouting
Non-GMO, USDA Organic
Alfalfa is a fave sprout because of its fine texture and nutty flavor. Excellent on sandwiches and in salads.
Other Seed Boy brand seeds include: mung bean, fenugreek, broccoli, salad blend and more.
Package makes 8 Quarts of Sprouts, 24 Servings (8 oz)
$11.95 for Alfalfa (prices vary with other seeds)
Conclusion
Eating is a fact of life. And for a life of abundant energy, clear thinking, fluid movement, and feeling great every day, it's worth the time and investment to eat the best foods possible. Who wouldn’t want to feel energetic, light, and graceful every day of the month, and especially while on their period? We do!
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