Steak on the First Day of Your Period: Internet Myth or Magical Symptom Hack?

Heating pad, chocolate stash, comfortable sweats...filet mignon? If you spend a lot of time on TikTok (guilty), maybe you've seen people talk about how eating a steak on the first day of your period can magically alleviate all those nasty symptoms (cramps, fatigue, mood swings, etc.). 

I guess it kind of makes sense — after all, beef is a great source of iron, so maybe it is just the thing your body needs when you're losing blood, right? But as always, what we see online isn't necessarily true. And in the spirit of *not* convincing women to throw all their efforts (and money) at wellness hacks that aren't backed by science, so we took it to the expert to learn more about whether or not this is a thing. 

"There is no evidence in PubMed showing that eating steak—or any red meat—before or during menstruation improves symptoms," says registered dietician Anna Bohnengel. "Steak does provide highly absorbable iron, vitamin B-12, zinc, and protein, which can help replenish nutrients lost during your period—but one meal isn’t a magic fix. Consistent nutrient-rich foods is a more effective long-term strategy. The best approach is a balanced, varied diet that supports menstrual health over time."

So no, you don't need to get a steak every time those symptoms hit — especially if you're just not a fan. Because at the end of the day — in Bohnengel's words — "what you eat the moment your cramps hit isn’t likely to make or break your symptoms," says the expert. "It’s really the long game that matters."

Ask Clara: What should I eat when I'm on my period?