Time of the month, how to avoid the food binge?

noynoyavery

Ladys (obviously) i like many others suffer bad food binges at that time of the month. Today i have eaten a double sauage and egg mcmuffin , 2 packets of hula hoops a choccy yogurt and 2 sausage rolls..and i really hope i wont eat anymore junk before tea time which is a low fat home made curry . Although right now im craving a great big greesy cheese burger chips and mayo washed down with good old cry to officer and a gentleman!

Just wondering ladys what are your top tips for avoiding this pre period binge of junk food can it ever be avoided. The only thing i could think of was make plain popcorn and sprinkle some cocoa powder on top , any ideas welcomed xx

kirstineu

For me it is the few days run up that is really imprtant, Lots of greens etc. I also seem to eat more nuts this time and I have vertually no pain!

jennmodugno

I'm having the same problem, hah! What I did was make room in my diet and plan to eat some of the bad stuff I love, like ice cream and oatmeal cookies. I had to give up a few things to do it, but if I know I'm going to eat it later, the temptation to eat it all day is much less.

kaaabney

Unfortunately I can't help, but I do share your problem. A few days before I start is the worst. It's like I crave junk and I won't stop until I get it. Maybe we could try eating the junk, but just eating smaller amounts of it! Good luck!

stfuriada

Lol I dont :blushing: . I just try to exercise as much of it off.

I finished a family sized bag of Crunchy Cheetos and about half a bag of family sized Peanut butter Bugles in like 3 days. I'm trying to tack on an extra 10-15 mins of cardio the next few days for it.

stellaskies

I don't know. I tried not keeping junk food in the house but when I get a craving there really is no stopping me. Last week I went to the grocery store and bought fudge covered oreos AND a piece of chocolate cake from the bakery. I HAVE NO REGRETS!

noynoyavery

lol all this talk of food is making it worse! I have been good and excerises off 700 odd cals so i dont feel so bad i also feel a bit healther now ive done it and less bloated too.

sonjalucia

What I have done to rid myself of this habit:

1) Remove ALL junk and processed foods from the house (husband can go get his own crap if he wants it!)

2) Stock up on 5 calorie JELL-O packs - they are tasty and fill my rush for sugar

3) In addition to drinking water, I will a big water bottle with fresh lemons and limes, and then add a small dash of crystal light

4) Track everything in my journal to keep me accountable

5) Remember how terrible I would feel, if I were to binge again


Ultimately, it really depends on where the binging is stemming from, whether it be because it's your TOM, or if it is emotionally triggered. The first step is acknowledging that you have an issue. Write down what you binge on a separate piece of paper, look at it, then crumple it up. Does that help?

Best of Luck!

melodicartistry

I guess if you cant avoid the bingng too much, you can always try and force yourself to get up and move after. I know the last thing I ever want to do is "Get up and move" when I am suffering already from cramps, but it surprises me every time I do it, I seem to work through the pain, and end up feeling a little better for a while.

Flab2fitfi

Also try those low calorie hot chocolates. I've not been so bad the last few months - usually I crave meat but now I'm on multivitamins and minerals it has made a big difference.

Nicola0000

I find I just cant get full. I just feel hungry all the time and nothing can fill me up!!

ajohn252

I've been taking evening primrose oil capsules one week before and the
week during my period and my cravings have been so much better.
This stuff is easy to find anywhere they sell vitamins and its not too
expensive and the jar lasts a while.

I usually would just take one pill a day but on bad days I would take two.

carrieo888

Since your body is trying to make up for the iron it is losing, you'll get those cravings. Several days before I start, I up my iron intake (both in supplement and food form via leafy green) and that helps immensely. It doesn't completely get rid of the cravings, but they aren't as unmanageable when I keep up the iron intake.

snowgrrl83

I have this problem. I usually eat 4000 + calories a day or 2 before my period. I don't know why, but it has always been this way.

1) Remove ALL junk and processed foods from the house (husband can go get his own crap if he wants it!)

^^ This is the best solution I've come up with...but I've even found myself eating peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon when I get desperate.

marissa4354

I try to burn the calories before I eat it. So if I'm craving oreos and milk I say, "Well then I have to get up and run before I can have it." Of course I never want to work harder to eat so I just don't eat it. Or I save calories for it. But I never eat it if I haven't worked out before or don't have left over calories. Hope this helps! :flowerforyou:

chrystee

Extra protein.

snowgrrl83

Since your body is trying to make up for the iron it is losing, you'll get those cravings. Several days before I start, I up my iron intake (both in supplement and food form via leafy green) and that helps immensely. It doesn't completely get rid of the cravings, but they aren't as unmanageable when I keep up the iron intake.

Will try this!!!!

brewface811

bump. I've eaten McDonalds 3 times this week... pretty sure I've NEVER done that before.

nymthiriel

What helps me is a cup of cottage cheese with chia seeds. The chia seeds will swell in your stomach within a few minutes, helping you to feel pretty full. I put them on everything - toast w/ Nutella, peanut butter English muffins, etc. They really have helped a lot. I'm coming off of hormonal BC myself, so every day feels like "OMG CHOCOLATE NAOOOO." :P

MandiB79

My thing is chocolate... and peanut butter.... together in delicious blissfulness....

I usually give in a bunch during PMS, but know full well that when it's over, so is the chocolate binge. I'm lucky that I don't crave the grease, and I'm not sure if part of that is the fear of the "food-hangover" that comes with it.

Sorry this isn't much help- just remember your goals, and allow yourself some of what you are craving, without going overboard.

:happy:

nymthiriel

I try to burn the calories before I eat it. So if I'm craving oreos and milk I say, "Well then I have to get up and run before I can have it." Of course I never want to work harder to eat so I just don't eat it. Or I save calories for it. But I never eat it if I haven't worked out before or don't have left over calories. Hope this helps! :flowerforyou:

I do the same thing, haha! I ran on an off day to make up for the fudge pop from last night.

shelbynicole32

The cravings of food is the worst part (besides the after bloating) but instead of eating anything and everything I just try and keep more fruits and veggies around and snack on them all day.

willot0722

The last time I binged on pizza, I typed up a letter to myself describing in detail how I awful I felt, mentally and physically. Every time I am craving it I open the letter and read it and remember how it made me feel and remind myself that I don't want to feel that way again.

LAMypie

First off, making your own version of your faves is helpful in many ways. 1. actively cooking IS a workout, small one, but it is. 2. You know where the food is coming from and can avoid all the fillers, and preservatives that come in pre-packaged food (including salt to help with the bloat) and 3. You can tweak a recipe to make it healthier so you don't have to feel as guilty. I am one who has NO willpower when it's my TOM. If it isn't in the house, I HAVE to go get it or I will turn into the Hulk and smash the house.

brwneyedirish813

Well im actually late this month with 2 neg pregnancy test. Praying its the 15lbs gone over a month haha! But ive gotten all the symptoms.. but neways what ive been doing is when i feel that craving coming on.. i give myself about 300 more calories a day, unfortually this month it's been very slow slow and drawn out so it's been about everyday.. but i try to make up the used calories but exercising. .. don't deprive yourself because i also heard that during your period your metabolism is a lot higher so it's easy to burn that off more quickly. Good luck!

bathsheba_c

The cocoa powder on popcorn idea sounds sooooo delicious. I need to try that, still using salt of course.

victoria441

What I usually do is have a serving of pretzels or a 100 calorie bag of kettle pop corn! When I crave chocolate I found this AMAZING ice cream!! The whole Pint is only 150 calories!! It's called arctic zero, not sure if they carry it by you but that really helps. Or carbsmart chocolate ice cream with fat/sugar free whipped cream on top! Hope this helps!

MouseFood

I struggle with this too. Not a lot helps ...

But one thing I do find helps is, when you have a craving GO FOR THAT FIRST.

The other week I really wanted Reeses PB cups. Here in UK they don't have them at every single store like they do back home. I went down to one store where I usually get them, and they were out. So instead, I bought a choc bar with fruit and nuts and a pack of cheese sandwich crackers ... which ws tasty, but was NOT what I wanted.

Later, I was STILL craving those PB cups, so I texted my husband at work and asked him to bring some home.

So, I ended up eating a lot more than I needed to just because I couldn't get what I was initially craving. if you want something naughty, go for it, just go for whatyou want ... don't eat everything in sight.

I try to remember that. Doesn't always work,b ut sometimes it does

Sorry about the typos. My nails need to be trimmed!!

celtictechie

A lot of how I avoid the binge is to eat very healthy foods leading up to it. You've probably found already through dieting that the healthier you eat, the lower tolerance you have for unhealthy foods. Replace chocolate with fruits, use healthy sugars and train your body to only crave the "okay" foods. If I eat unhealthily during my period, I regret it quite a bit because of how my tummy feels after.

Other things are that if you absolutely need the "unhealthy," eat the "healthier" end of it... I always have a stash of Godiva 85% Cocoa dark chocolates. The Midnight ones I believe they are called. (Haven't had to use them in a while). They are small, low in calories, and have antioxidants that are good for you.

sunnyflower1177

Me too!!! I feel like I'm commiting some crime!! I'm not hurting nobody but when I eat I eat!!! then I feel bad later:{

vyanadevi

celery juice