Yes.

You may have heard that one should avoid eating meat and fish during menstruation. There is a common myth in Sri Lanka that the smell of meat, fish, eggs, etc. attracts monsters and demons. This is not scientifically proven.

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

 

Our blood contains iron, an essential nutrient for the body. Since blood is lost during menstruation, the body needs meat, fish and vegetables to replenish the iron lost. Therefore, why stop eating nutritious food because of menstruation?

We can dispel such myths through awareness. After 4 years of awareness campaigns with women and children in the Ibbagamuwa Bathalagoda Lake area, many now speak about how they secretly challenge this myth.

One woman 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.