Ladies: Paleo while on your period

Zumbaeng

Just gonna say it: Yesterday was my first day on my period since I switched to Paleo. I ate 2,200 calories which is about 550 more than my usual. I also took in a lot more carbs than usual and less protein. Yesterday I did an hour of cardio, toning and sculpting followed by 30 mins of deadlifts, overhead barbell presses and leg lifts. I was hungry but even with my workouts, 2,200 is a lot of calories/carbs for me to have. I ate Paleo pizza casserole at 11pm and munched on berries at midnight. Totally wanted carbs! I was staking my kitchen all night! Craving for carbs was stronger for me this time. Wonder if being on Paleo affected my cravings for carbs. I did the best I could and stuck to Paleo. Can't beat myself up over it. Ladies, I've never had many cravings on my period. This is new to me. What happens to your appetite when you are on your period?

psuLemon

Zumbaeng wrote: »

Just gonna say it: Yesterday was my first day on my period since I switched to Paleo. I ate 2,200 calories which is about 550 more than my usual. I also took in a lot more carbs than usual and less protein. Yesterday I did an hour of cardio, toning and sculpting followed by 30 mins of deadlifts, overhead barbell presses and leg lifts. I was hungry but even with my workouts, 2,200 is a lot of calories/carbs for me to have. I ate Paleo pizza casserole at 11pm and munched on berries at midnight. Totally wanted carbs! I was staking my kitchen all night! Craving for carbs was stronger for me this time. Wonder if being on Paleo affected my cravings for carbs. I did the best I could and stuck to Paleo. Can't beat myself up over it. Ladies, I've never had many cravings on my period. This is new to me. What happens to your appetite when you are on your period?

While I am not female, I can tell you when I was on paleo, I had ridiculous cravings. What I found after six months of no progress was that restricting foods I enjoyed made it a lot harder to stick with a deficit and achieve my goals. Since I converted to more a of moderation approach, I find myself sticking to a goal more often.

Being your TOM and you exercising hard, will also increase your appetite. There was a thread a few years back that a women did an experiment where she set her calories to "maintenance" during that TOM and still saw losses those weeks (she did it for 6 months). I suspect the increase in food allowed her to binge less and/or made it easier to stick with a goal.

RodaRose

Did you switch the kind of carbs you had been eating?

kshama2001

My appetite goes up and I eat at maintenance for a few days. Being hungry is of course different than cravings - I used to be plagued by chocolate and carb cravings premenstrually. One change I've made was to take magnesium.

What your choccy cravings are trying to tell you

...While we all get peckish, there’s a difference between feeling hungry and having a sudden urge for a specific food. In fact, intense food cravings can be a sign you’re deficient in certain nutrients.

So, the next time all you can think about is a juicy steak, Dairy Milk or even ice, pay attention to what your body is trying to tell you and try one of our clever food swaps . . .

YOU CRAVE: CHOCOLATE

WHAT IT MEANS: Chocolate is rich in magnesium, so strong cravings could indicate a deficiency in a mineral vital for your skin and hair.

What’s more, levels of the mineral drop during the second half of your menstrual cycle, suggesting a possible link with many of the symptoms of PMS.

‘Drinking too much alcohol, tea, coffee and fizzy drinks can also deplete levels of magnesium,’ says Nicola Lowe, professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Central Lancashire.

TRY: If it has to be chocolate, opt for one that contains at least 75 per cent cocoa, as this will contain more magnesium and less sugar.

Nuts are actually a richer source, particularly Brazils. Leafy green veg are also good, as are brown rice, wholemeal bread, and pumpkin seeds — though not quite so moreish.

If you’re a chocoholic and suffer from PMS symptoms such as irritability, headaches, cramps and bloating, it may be worth trying a magnesium supplement

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2721369/What-choccy-cravings-trying-tell-not-mention-yearning-cheese-meat-rice.html#ixzz3f7sXvGy3

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Why are you eating "paleo"?

rjmudlax13

Paleo is just a fad/trendy diet that has been disproven over and over again. It is no more effective than any other diet when controlled for calories. First priority is to figure out your daily calorie allowance and adhere to it using a scale and honesty. Second priority is to figure out your macro and fiber goals. Third priority is to eat about 80% whole foods (i.e. fruit, veges, legumes, meat, fish) to ensure you get all the micronutrients you need. Forth priority is to eat about 20% of whatever the heck you want as long as it fits withing your goals and you log it honestly. Fifth priority is to fine an exercise program that you will adhere to and I recommend including some kind of strength training. Tie everything together is persistence and you will have success.

JoRocka

I'm struggling to understand what if anything paleo has to do with your period.

Many women get cravings around the time they hit their cycle. Pretty common- I'm guessing it's probably worse if you're already on a highly restrictive diet.

janiep81

OP - I'm not paleo, but I've found that I've had some pretty intense cravings every time I've been there since eating healthy (relatively clean, higher protein than I used to...) for the last few months. I think I used to just eat through it, now I'm more aware of the cravings because I'm restricting to some degree.

I like the PP's idea of eating at maintenance for a few days. That's a great idea!!!!

kshama2001

@Zumbaeng - wanted to let you know about the Paleo group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/37-primal-paleo-support-group

senecarr

Paleo is probably pretty poor for periods, as chances are paleo women wouldn't have had many periods.