PMS and Binge Eating - real or just an excuse?
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Make up your mind.I don't buy into the "I have PMS so I just ate 5,000 calories!" theories floating around. Yes, when I get PMS I get cravings for salty and sweet things. I crave food with those tastes. HOWEVER, I still manage to keep control of the AMOUNT of those sweet and salty foods I'm eating.
I think overeating and blaming it on PMS is wrong. We should have more control over it than some women like to believe. It shouldn't be an excuse to eat way too much.
I'd like to hear from other women about this topic. All replies are welcome.
So you admit something physical actually can make you want to eat more. But, you control that. Good, we are all ultimately in control of what we fuel our bodies with and in control of whether we are going to track it or not. I am a bit confused about where you say you control the amount of those things you crave, do you bump your cals up slightly and make up for it elsewhere or do you radically alter what foods you eat at this time?
Great question! I think that hormonal fluctuations of PMS can and do change what we want to eat (foods normally on our "do not eat" or "do not eat a ton of this" lists), but I don't think hormonal levels cause an increase in the amount of foods we eat. That's still more within our control. When I am experiencing cravings, I will try to satisfy those cravings with things that aren't high in calories: sweet pickle chips cure my sweet tooth and a small handful of nuts cures the salty cravings. As much as I WANT to, I try NOT to open a bag of potato chips or Doritoes and go to town. And I eat slowly, until the craving dissipates, so I am not shoveling too much in at once.
Pregnancy, however, might have that affect -- I believe I was much hungrier when I was pregnant than when I wasn't. Growing a life takes big calories!
It's interesting, because I had an OB/GYN doctor come to my classroom to discuss hormonal changes during PMS and puberty (6th grade health class). The first thing he said was "PMS causes hormonal fluctuations that will make girls feel pretty icky, HOWEVER, the hormones themselves do not cause anger outbursts, poor decision making, and overeating. Those things are still within your control." He made a great point and I've been thinking about that ever since.
LOL! Then how do you explain the other days out of the month that i am not an emotional lunatic?
Dunno, not a psychologist. I just know that the minor details in my life seem overinflated and much bigger than they really are during PMS. I don't think there is such a thing as a stress free life, so during PMS all our stresses we are handling without much of a second thought become magnified due to hormonal changes.
AND I think men go through something similar each month as well. They have hormones, why can't they be off?
REFER BACK TO MY ORIGINAL POST. Mind made up.0 -
I disagree that overeating during PMS is just an excuse. I, personally, do not really get cravings at all during TOM. I sometimes crave sweets a bit more, but nothing drastic that I see as a detriment to my diet. HOWEVER, I am SO MUCH HUNGRIER during TOM than any other time of the month. Now, I certainly can "control" what I put in my mouth and choose not to eat when I'm hungry. However, to be ravenous all the time is really not fun, as I'm sure a lot of us have experienced. I agree with others who say that each body is different and to say that anyone is using PMS as an excuse is being judgmental. I mean, who is to say what another person is experiencing? Besides, if they ARE using it as an excuse, it's only hurting them.0
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I don't buy into the "I have PMS so I just ate 5,000 calories!" theories floating around.
I don't think 'theory' means what you think it means.
If you don't go overboard, good for you. Focus on yourself, that's all that should matter to you!0 -
Your original post about the doctor said that he claimed PMS doesn't cause mood changes and you agreed with him. Then you said PMS causes mood changes. Which do you believe?
As far as using PMS as an "excuse" to overeat, I repeat: Until you have lived in another woman's body and experienced what she experiences, YOU ARE BEING JUDGMENTAL AND RUDE.0 -
I don't buy into the "I have PMS so I just ate 5,000 calories!" theories floating around. Yes, when I get PMS I get cravings for salty and sweet things. I crave food with those tastes. HOWEVER, I still manage to keep control of the AMOUNT of those sweet and salty foods I'm eating.
I think overeating and blaming it on PMS is wrong. We should have more control over it than some women like to believe. It shouldn't be an excuse to eat way too much.
I'd like to hear from other women about this topic. All replies are welcome.
Omg??!! Really??!!
I love it how people judge by THEIR experience and how THEIR body reacts to certain things...
Just like rml_16 said this post is rude and judgemental plain and simple.
There is a lot more to what I got to say to this post but ill just leave it at that.
:grumble:
Anyway I embrace my pms binging and I move on.. I am still loving myself and I dont beat myself for it.
Enjoy your judging if it makes you happy:laugh:0 -
I have like one day where I have a chocolate binge and then I'll be grand for the rest. I just view it as a treat and try not to have it too often (althought I need to get back on track right now)0
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Hormonal fluctuations have far more impact than people give them credit for. They influence not only your physiological function, but your mental function, as well. Every person handles those mental function changes differently, because we all have different coping skills and abilities.
Some people might not have the same coping skills you do, which means that for them, it's much, much harder to "control" things. Which means it's a real problem for them, while for you, it would be an excuse.
Perspective makes a world of difference, so your experience will never dictate the experiences of others, since you cannot get inside their head and body to experience things the way they do. If they say it's a problem for them, the first step you can do to help them is to accept it as real, and then ask how you can help, rather than assume it's an excuse. Dismissing someone's experience is never going to be productive, and will never allow you to be helpful to anyone.
/end thread0 -
CHOCOLATE OFTEN SOUND SUPER GOOD WHEN I'M PRE-MENSTRUAL
Else, I am not hungry at all for the whole day.
Even if I dont have chocolate handy, I wont feel like eating anything else and have to literally shove food down my mouth!!0 -
I don't really get cravings... if anything I don't want to eat as much because of tummy pains, but I do get realllllllly thirsty! I drink water non stop then.0
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My experience is A, so if you say your experience is B, then you are just making excuses.I don't buy into the "I have PMS so I just ate 5,000 calories!" theories floating around. Yes, when I get PMS I get cravings for salty and sweet things. I crave food with those tastes. HOWEVER, I still manage to keep control of the AMOUNT of those sweet and salty foods I'm eating.
I think overeating and blaming it on PMS is wrong. We should have more control over it than some women like to believe. It shouldn't be an excuse to eat way too much.
I'd like to hear from other women about this topic. All replies are welcome.
*eyeroll*
Until you live in another person's body, you can't have any idea what that person goes through at any given time.
I think you missed the entire point of the start of this thread. I said that I do not believe PMS is the cause for eating far too much food. I ALSO never said that my experience is the right and only experience. THIS IS WHY I ASKED FOR ALL REPLIES.
I think the "eyeroll" was a bit unnecessary. But, hey, what ev er.
You worded it better the second time:)
The first time I thought it sounded judgemental and ignorant to use words like "just an excuse" and " wrong"
It's easy to be judgemental, but I try not to (as best I can) unless I have truely lived in someone elses shoes.0 -
I never had any pms untill 2 years ago during a period of time where i later found I am allergic to Gluten.
I don't get cravings during that time and I don't get pms as long as I keep my calcium level high, it's the only thing I found that works.
low calcium has been linked to pms and it definitely causes mine.
pms is real other wise I a just a very nasty person for no reason the week leading to my period.0 -
MIT did a number of studies on serotonin levels for women in late luteal and pre-menstrual stages of their cycle. Some women just do not produce the same amount of serotonin as others...
"The Wurtmans discovered that an apparent deficiency in brain serotonin may cause individuals to suffer from unwanted weight gain, mood disorders and impulsivity.
People with carbohydrate-craving obesity, seasonal affective disorder (SADS), and PMS have serotonin, but it is "simply not enough or not active enough," Ms. Wurtman said.
The symptoms of inadequate or insufficient serotonin levels in women during their late-luteal, or premenstrual, phase can become highly disruptive to normal functioning, Ms. Wurtman said."
http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1997/pms.html
So when you say "its in your head" You are sort of right, it is about brain chemistry. But its about as useful as telling someone with depression to just get over it. While a lot of people can improve their brain chemistry over time with diet, exercise and medication no one is in complete, immediate control over the chemistry in their brain at every given moment. And if you think you are, then its the chemicals in your brain that make you feel that way. Everyone is a little different and I'm glad you have come to a balanced place where you do not suffer from these fluctuations. There are things we can all do to alleviate these problems if we have them but assuming they are made up, exaggerated or an excuse isn't a good place to start.0 -
This one has a lot of detail about the relationship with brain chemistry and appetite specifically in relationship to the menstrual cycle and serotonin:
http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/content/12/6/1142.full.pdf0 -
I definitely experience crazy hormonal fluctuations full of cravings and also emotions that are difficult to fight. When I was on the pill I didn't have to deal with that at all. It may not be an excuse to gorge on a dozen donuts in one sitting, but it sure does make things more difficult.0
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I can feel like eating nothing but cake and chocolate or not feel like eating at all, bloatedness and aches make me lose my appetite. I know that it makes me not feeel like exercising in the slightest tho! Haha currently missing the mass of energy and willingness to exercise! Hopefully be back on track soon tho!0
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I am perimenapausal so my period can be all over the place. It's not that I get cravings for certain foods, but I get sooo hungry the week before I start. Sometimes it's the only way I know I'm about to start because I'm not always on a regular schedule anymore. I also get extremely thirsty for water. I'll wake up in the middle of the night needing to drink water. I'm not really sure why the hormone changes affect me this way. Every one is different in their hormone balance during this time so what you may feel is not going to be the same as what I feel. It's not an excuse, it's just how some of our bodies react. That's great that you can control your cravings. Personally, I'm not going to worry about controlling mine too much during that week because I really don't want to have that sensation of being hungry constantly all week. I'll just make good food choices that aren't high in calorie and go with it....0
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I get hungry, very, very hungry and no matter what I can't feel full.
Same here! Hate it.
I usually crave salty foods like Chinese or tortilla chips.0 -
For me, I know when Aunt Flo's about to visit b/c of those sweet and salty cravings AND b/c i am hungrier than normal. I give myself a break during those times and don't beat myself up if i eat more than usual or over my calorie allowance. So far, I haven't "binged" or gone crazy, but I can understand that other women may do so b/c PMS is different in all of us, and it's recognized as real physical and emotional condition.0
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I have a distinct increase in appetite the week before my period. That's actually how I know my period is coming. I'm like... damn... I'm starving... oh... IT'S coming. If I can't stand the hunger, I'll eat at maintenance. I don't use it as an excuse, but sometimes I just let my body do its crazy thing.0
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Not to pile on, but this is exactly what I was thinking. That's a statement of fact. It will be either true or not true.I don't buy into the "I have PMS so I just ate 5,000 calories!" theories floating around.I don't think 'theory' means what you think it means.
No I realize what you are actually saying is even if your hormones are going crazy you should just be strong and have willpower and all that jazz. But the thing is, hormones are hard to fight. When they are telling you to eat eat eat you have to find some way to work with that or you won't be able to concentrate on anything else. Somebody else mentioned gluten and I've been trying to limit wheat in my diet lately and I did find that this TOM was not too terrible cravings wise. I did eat 1/3 of a chocolate bar though.
Personally, I generally have a few days where I'm ravenous and a few where I"m not very hungry at all and will skip meals. So it kind of works out.0 -
I'm not sure. I definitely am 'different' during that time. Usually the 3 or so days before I start, and the first 2 days while I'm on it, I have NO energy. I have a very hard time getting up in the mornings, and could nap for hours if I was not at work. Day 3, I'm full of energy again.
I'm also ravenous. I have a very hard time getting full. I could eat and eat. (you can see that in my diary from about Tuesday-Thursday of this week.) I do have very strong cravings, but my cravings are for things like red meat. That's not something I eat a lot of - maybe 1-2x/month on average. But it's so strong - like I feel like I could just cook up a pound of hamburger meat and eat it plain - I don't need a bun or sauce or anything. Just give me hamburger or steak and I'm happy. So in that respect, I think it's real. I've read a lot about it, and it seems to be my body craving iron -- so I give my body what it asks for.
I've definitely seen people who use PMS as a time to completely binge on sugar and crap food and I think "umm, really - that's a LOT Of sugar." but then maybe their cravings are as strong for sugar as mine are for red meat. At the end of the day, it's THEIR journey in life. Thankfully we all get to live our own and the only person we're accountable to is ourselves.0 -
but I don't think hormonal levels cause an increase in the amount of foods we eat. That's still more within our control. When I am experiencing cravings,
I completely disagree. Be thankful it doesn't affect YOU in that way. I am normally quite satisfied on 1400-1600 or so calories a day. But for the day prior and 1-2 days of my period I could easily eat double that because I'm HUNGRY. It doesn't even have to be a specific craving for a specific things, and just drinking water does not fill me up. Granted, I could eat 3,000 calories of healthy food or 3,000 calories of potato chips and one of those might be a better choice. But I definitely need an increase of food for a few days.0 -
When I have PMS I cannot stop stuffing my face. No matter what I eat stops the cravings and constant hunger. I honestly feel like I cannot control . But we all know it is related to emotional eating.0
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I said that I do not believe PMS is the cause for eating far too much .
Sometimes there is no other reason.
Dehydrated?
Nope, drank 100oz.
Lacking minerals?
Nope, anticipated TOM and made it a point to take my supplements.
Poor eating?
Nope, stocked up on produce, ditched the crap.
Not enough exercise?
Nope, ran 10miles.
Not enough sleep?
Nope, got 6-7hours plus a nap.
Stressed?
Nope, things are actually wonderful.
Pre-menstral?
:sad: how did you know? I can't stop eating everything even though I super glued the fridge and pantry shut!
I liked this answer! Especially the last part. I will tell everyone tho, that after I gave up eating gluten, my PMS (and I am 48ish, hello menopause!) damn near disappeared off the face of the map. Even my husband told me it was like my "wheels fell off". I was suspect of the gluten/PMS relationship at first, but after several months of being gluten and basically PMS free, I realize now there is a strong correlation between those two things FOR MY SITUATION.
That's funny, I've had the complete opposite experience. My cramps have WAY lessened since going gluten free, however, my PMS has kicked up to epic proportions. It's bad for an entire week before I start my period. And, for the 2 days before I start, I cannot get full, no matter what I eat. And, I drink lots of water and I exercise, but my body just keeps asking for more food. I know that I control what goes into my mouth, but for me, the fact is that for 2 days before my period, I'm HUNGRY!0 -
Tag for later0
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Just so we're clear, biologically a woman's BMR increases anywhere between 2-5% about 7-10 days prior to menstruation. http://www.fao.org/docrep/meeting/004/m2845e/m2845e00.htm
That is part of the physiological reason why women are so hungry in the week leading up to their period.
I find myself, like a lot of women, absolutely ravenous around that time. Not for sweets or anything in particular, just food in general. No it's not an excuse to eat candy or whatever in excess, but just know 1) it's normal to feel hungrier 2) you can eat more and 3) don't let OP or anyone else make you feel bad about that.0 -
When i have major PMS cravings, the very LAST thing on my mind is proportions & healthy foods.
The only time i ever DO binge & eat unhealthy is when i have major PMS cravings lol.
Burgers, brownies, big *kitten* bowl of chicken fettuccine alfredo, whatever...you name it, it's going in my mouth! lol
Simple as that.0 -
I think overeating and blaming it on PMS is wrong. We should have more control over it than some women like to believe. It shouldn't be an excuse to eat way too much.
I'd like to hear from other women about this topic. All replies are welcome.
I don't dismiss any woman's claim about how bad her PMS is, or how desperately urgent her cravings are, or how wild her moods are, etc. If you've been fortunate to not suffer with miserable periods, count your blessings. For years I suffered horribly and encountered too many doctors who were quick to ignore my symptoms. I eventually found a wonderful doctor & ended up having a complete hysterectomy. I no longer have to take narcotics every month, eat huge amounts of food, or want to kill anyone. Life is good for me now, but some women out there really suffer, and suggesting that they just "control themselves" is not helpful.0 -
Interesting thread. PMS brings on an insane craving for chocolate with me. There are chocolate desserts that would repel me with their richness at any other time, yet when the hormones kick in I want to wolf them down without stopping to take a breath. But that doesn't mean I'm not in control. I just carefully plan things out and have better chocolate alternatives available, like Skinny Cow, WW ice cream bars, or Jello 100 calorie chocolate pudding. That way, I'm not depriving myself, but I control the portion.0
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^ Yes! Thank you!I think overeating and blaming it on PMS is wrong. We should have more control over it than some women like to believe. It shouldn't be an excuse to eat way too much.
I'd like to hear from other women about this topic. All replies are welcome.
I don't dismiss any woman's claim about how bad her PMS is, or how desperately urgent her cravings are, or how wild her moods are, etc. If you've been fortunate to not suffer with miserable periods, count your blessings. For years I suffered horribly and encountered too many doctors who were quick to ignore my symptoms. I eventually found a wonderful doctor & ended up having a complete hysterectomy. I no longer have to take narcotics every month, eat huge amounts of food, or want to kill anyone. Life is good for me now, but some women out there really suffer, and suggesting that they just "control themselves" is not helpful.0
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