Question of woman from a woman.

vedra_b

Ok so a certain time of the month I crave salt and sugar. My old go to was chips and candy usually a kit kat family size of course, a bag or chips and a soda every night for 7 days. I need some tips on how to curb my cravings also I am not feeling full on what has been filling me up. ugh I am 20 pounds down and DO NOT want to gain ANY of that back. Please Help and be kind

kshama2001

Daily exercise and lowering carbs decreased my premenstrual food cravings.

I do eat (small amounts of high quality) chocolate because I like it, but chocolate cravings can also be a sign of a magnesium deficiency: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2721369/What-choccy-cravings-trying-tell-not-mention-yearning-cheese-meat-rice.html

Over the last two months, I cleaned up my diet, increased exercise, and for this TOM the food cravings were very brief, as opposed to previously having a week of cravings. I also didn't get the premenstrual blues.

After reading about the different types of magnesium, I ordered Source Naturals, K-Mag to see if this will reduce the chocolate cravings even further.

I highly recommend Dr Christiane Northrup's Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom (Revised Edition): Creating Physical and Emotional Health and Healing - this has a chapter on PMS. It's available in my library system, so maybe yours as well.

G33K_G1RL

I occasionally have the same thing, especially with salt

I'll roast potatoes in the oven with a little oil and add extra salt. Also fresh cucumber with salt is pretty great. I also really like kombucha when I am craving minerals.

For sugar, I'll usually turn to dark chocolate, though I'll sometimes make dessert. An apple cooked in the microwave with maple syrup, or butter and brown sugar. Or a fruit salad if I have many fruits on hand. If I'm really really craving, I'll go for a cookie in a cup, but that ruins my calories for the day. But sometime I really need it!

http://www.number-2-pencil.com/2012/03/06/chocolate-chip-cookie-in-cup/

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt

vedra_b wrote: »

Ok so a certain time of the month I crave salt and sugar. My old go to was chips and candy usually a kit kat family size of course, a bag or chips and a soda every night for 7 days. I need some tips on how to curb my cravings also I am not feeling full on what has been filling me up. ugh I am 20 pounds down and DO NOT want to gain ANY of that back. Please Help and be kind

You can fit a treat into your day if you're craving one

I completely sympathise with you on this one. I fit a treat into my day every day. Sometimes more than one, if the occasion calls for it.

If you like Kit Kats or chips or soda, you don't have to give them up. Just eat less of them. Shoot for hitting your calorie goals and getting enough protein, eat vegetables, get a little exercise, and you'll be fine.

Gska17

Hello!

I keep reduced fat Pringles around the house and weigh them out. I keep them sort of hidden so they aren't always in my face. I do the same with Skittles.

kshama2001

If you're eating Kit Kats because your body wants chocolate, a small amount of high quality dark chocolate should actual fulfill the need faster.

Francl27

I second the magnesium supplement... I actually never crave anything during my period though, it happens before for me, but mostly I'm just very hungry.

If cravings are your only issue, just have a little bit of each within your calories, and switch to diet soda.

callsitlikeiseeit

if it makes you feel any better, your body burns more calories during your TOM.

i work in extra calories - whether its just upping it for a few days, or working out a little more or whatever. i have to earn my food, anyways, so 20 extra minutes a day for a few days isn't a big deal

I refuse to feel like I'm starving myself or not allowing myself the things I want. Whatever I am doing is working for me - I'm down 50 pounds

lalainap19

No salts we already retain enough water weight with aunt flow so that will make it worse. Drink water helps with cramps and bloating and eat pineapple or watermelons and other fruits it helps me with those cravings.

afatpersonwholikesfood

I eat more calories and let myself indulge a bit because I'm usually more hungry on those days. I eat at a 250 calorie deficit on those occasions. I eat at a 500-1,000 calorie deficit the rest of the time.

macgurlnet

Francl27 wrote: »

I second the magnesium supplement... I actually never crave anything during my period though, it happens before for me, but mostly I'm just very hungry.

If cravings are your only issue, just have a little bit of each within your calories, and switch to diet soda.

I third this I've started taking magnesium and it seems to have made things less hellacious.

If you're craving salty stuff, take a look at your sodium intake - are you way under on a regular basis? If you don't have a medical reason to keep it very low, maybe try to hit your goal number more consistently and see if that changes things.

I've found that increased exercise - even just walking more - and staying hydrated has helped too. And I switched to diet soda overall and occasionally have a regular one these days.

~Lyssa

barbecuesauce

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

if it makes you feel any better, your body burns more calories during your TOM.

i work in extra calories - whether its just upping it for a few days, or working out a little more or whatever. i have to earn my food, anyways, so 20 extra minutes a day for a few days isn't a big deal

I refuse to feel like I'm starving myself or not allowing myself the things I want. Whatever I am doing is working for me - I'm down 50 pounds

Yup. I try to work out more the week before but you know what? I just log it all, spend 2-3 days in the red, and move on. -63 as of yesterday. 9 menstrual cycles eating like this. I have always, always lost weight the last day of my period. If you log accurately all month and have kept the overeating to a minimum, you will not see any blip on the scale.

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt

barbecuesauce wrote: »

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

if it makes you feel any better, your body burns more calories during your TOM.

i work in extra calories - whether its just upping it for a few days, or working out a little more or whatever. i have to earn my food, anyways, so 20 extra minutes a day for a few days isn't a big deal

I refuse to feel like I'm starving myself or not allowing myself the things I want. Whatever I am doing is working for me - I'm down 50 pounds

Yup. I try to work out more the week before but you know what? I just log it all, spend 2-3 days in the red, and move on. -63 as of yesterday. 9 menstrual cycles eating like this. I have always, always lost weight the last day of my period. If you log accurately all month and have kept the overeating to a minimum, you will not see any blip on the scale.

"in the red"

heh

barbecuesauce

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

barbecuesauce wrote: »

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

if it makes you feel any better, your body burns more calories during your TOM.

i work in extra calories - whether its just upping it for a few days, or working out a little more or whatever. i have to earn my food, anyways, so 20 extra minutes a day for a few days isn't a big deal

I refuse to feel like I'm starving myself or not allowing myself the things I want. Whatever I am doing is working for me - I'm down 50 pounds

Yup. I try to work out more the week before but you know what? I just log it all, spend 2-3 days in the red, and move on. -63 as of yesterday. 9 menstrual cycles eating like this. I have always, always lost weight the last day of my period. If you log accurately all month and have kept the overeating to a minimum, you will not see any blip on the scale.

"in the red"

heh

Let me assure you that was a slip and not an intentional pun!

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt

barbecuesauce wrote: »

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »

barbecuesauce wrote: »

callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »

if it makes you feel any better, your body burns more calories during your TOM.

i work in extra calories - whether its just upping it for a few days, or working out a little more or whatever. i have to earn my food, anyways, so 20 extra minutes a day for a few days isn't a big deal

I refuse to feel like I'm starving myself or not allowing myself the things I want. Whatever I am doing is working for me - I'm down 50 pounds

Yup. I try to work out more the week before but you know what? I just log it all, spend 2-3 days in the red, and move on. -63 as of yesterday. 9 menstrual cycles eating like this. I have always, always lost weight the last day of my period. If you log accurately all month and have kept the overeating to a minimum, you will not see any blip on the scale.

"in the red"

heh

Let me assure you that was a slip and not an intentional pun!

Haha! Well I shall assure you that I have the humor of a 12-year-old boy and I will find puns where there aren't any. Because that's how I roll.

KateTii

For salt I like smoked salmon and for sugar I like baked granny smith apples... cut them up, add cinnamon and bake in oven (no extra sugar needed). Tastes sweet but isn't bad like a proper apple pie/crumble.

vedra_b

I can not tell you how helpful this is. I am 5 pounds to my summer goal and its only July. I have a history of gaining a few back (gained 3 pounds last week after a 3 day camp with girlscouts poor poor choices) and quiting. I am not doing that this time. I am going push through. I am going to try the magnesium supplement. I was very proud of myself last night instead of heading home and eating junk I ate yummy salmon, did have white rice but not much and zucchini. I then went for a 2 mile up hill hike with my family. THIS was a HUGE feat for me. Thanks again it is so wonderful to get support.

nannameff

If cravings are your only issue, just have a little bit of each within your calories, and switch to diet soda.[/quote]

Careful about the diet soda. If it has aspartame, it is a very dangerous, unhealthy drink. There are lots of bad side effects to aspartame, proven. One of the side effects is increased appetite.

Try Lemon-Water instead! It is very healthy and cleansing to the body. Especially try a glass with the juice of one lemon first thing in the morning. You can Google it to see all the benefits...

callsitlikeiseeit

nannameff wrote: »

Careful about the diet soda. If it has aspartame, it is a very dangerous, unhealthy drink. There are lots of bad side effects to aspartame, proven.

please educate yourself. this is not true and been discussed ad nauseum on here....

vedra_b

Yes I cut soda all together and only drink my water wish some slim and sassy essential oils. I drink at least 80oz a day. today I am starving! counting the minutes till lunch ugh. I tried almonds and a banana nope I still feel hungry sigh.

jaecamp1

Get individually wrapped bite sized or fun sized portions of the candy you crave. Put it someplace not easy to get to. When you feel you "need" it, take out one piece, put the rest away, then sit and really enjoy it.