Yes, of course.

There is a common myth in Sri Lanka that eating meat, fish, eggs etc during menstruation attracts monsters, demons and evil spirits. There is absolutley no scientific basis for these claims.

The Grade 7 Health and Physical Education textbook unambiguously states the following:

Our blood contains iron, an essential mineral, and due to blood loss that occurs during menstruation, the body needs to replenish iron by eating iron-rich food such as meat, fish, and leafy green vegetables.

The Grassrooted Trust through their Mindful Menstruation programming has engaged in consistent awareness raising in the Ibbagamuwa Division of the Kurunegala District, and reports on attitudinal and behavioural change that has begun to take place.

“After four years of working with women, including mothers, we can report that mothers have accepted the need for their menstruating children to eat meat and fish. But, challenging this myth is often done in secret. One mother in the Bathalagoda area spoke of how she secretly gave her daughter a piece of fish while she was in her room after her first period. Another woman spoke of serving her daughter chicken, again in secret, given the cultural norms and mores that prevail.” – Paba Deshapriya, Director, The Grassrooted Trust