Women only.. please
lbeaty77
Posts: 6
So.. I was wondering the best way to deal with my "cycle" eating. I crave really sweet stuff about 2 weeks before, and I just basically want to eat everything in site. This is my second month on my current plan of just eating healthy and exercising, which I do about 5-6 days a week. I did ok my first month because I was on a herbal cleanse. But right now, I'm really struggling not to eat what I really want which is chocolate, fried stuff, and ice cream. It seems during this week, nothing really satisfies my hunger. Any suggestions on what you girls do, would be greatly appreicated.
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Replies
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I do the same thing but with carbs - potatoes! Nothing but sheer willpower works for me. Try drinking a lot of water - try drinking green tea - putting liquids in helps me a lot. Working out! I am really working out hard and that helps me stay focused on what I am trying to accomplish. You will stop the cravings after a while. Once I am good for about 3 or 4 months I don't crave anymore, at least not to the point of over eating. A little of what your craving won't hurt you and may even help but its all about controlling those portions.0
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i eat mango when i crave chocolate as it is nice and sweet and when hungry drink a cup of tea or do a little exercise to try to take mymnd off it. have a look at hairy bikers new recipes they do really great food which isblow calorie you can incorporate these into your diet easily x good luck x0
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you should try getting some frozen fruit & put truvia on it if it's not sweet enough. and I eat dessert for breakfast If im going to have it that day. then you have the sweets craving filled & ur moving around all day long to burn the extra calories oppose to eating cake after dinner0
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Have you tried filling up on cream of wheat, raisin bran, or other low cal super filling food, then having a fun size chocolate or half a chocolate bar?0
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If I want ice cream, I go to McD's drive thru and get a cone - it's only 150 calories. Or get some fudgecicles if you think you can handle not eating more than a couple. Ice cream does not come in to my home because I have no control.
If I want chocolate, go with a really good dark chocolate bar (like those ones Lindt makes) or eat a yummy chocolate protein bar. Zone's double dark chocolate and chocolate almond raisin are very good. Just about all the Balance chocolate bars are good too. Clif Builder's Chocolate Mint and Chocolate are also quite tasty - almost 300 calories but you get 30 grams of protein! You could always work out a bit more to make up the difference with the calories.
Mostly I just try to stick with the same eating I usually do because I know if I eat too much junk, I'll feel like poo and it's just not worth it. And continuing to work out, although tough to do when cramps and fatigue are hitting hard, will make you feel better in the long run.0 -
I do the same thing! I LOVE Chocolate, almost on a distrubing level. The only way that I can keep myself away during my cycle is not to have any in my home..also, when I get bored or have time to think about it, it is harder to resist so I find away to keep busy, organize a closet or lift weights or ANYTHING but watch TV!! You can do it, just dig deep girl!0
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I have the same problem. I work out more to offset what I eat. I also am usually under the week before that starts, so it kind of ends up working it's way out. I also try to keep healthier things around when I just want to munch, like freeze dried fruit, freeze dried edamame, etc.0
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Suddenly I feel very glad to have done the menopause!!
Good luck, best advice is to have a little bit, like a fun size, and count it in to your allowance.0 -
This may come as a surprise to some, but, I tend to eat a lot of broccoli - and - I believe that Magnesium supplements help. I can't remember where I saw this at, and I apologize for not citing a source, but Google this: Magnesium and menstrual cycles. When I take magnesium at night, the cravings seem to really be better during the day.
Since I started eating more healthy foods, I don't get the cravings as bad - I DO get them - but not nearly as bad.
Good luck!!0 -
Get some really good chocolate, like Godiva Dark Gems (w/ caramel) They are 40cal each. Eat 5/day, its chocolaty goodness at 200cal/day and should fit into your daily cal count0
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Try and get small portions of what you are really craving.... sometimes if we don't eat a small amount, we overeat it and that is worse. Here is what I do for chocolate..... get foil covered eggs (or some type of foil covered chocolate), put it in the freezer and when you have that craving, pop one in your mouth (foil off, of course) and just suck on it. It takes about 10 minutes to melt and really satisfies the craving for only a few calories. I do this almost daily.0
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If I want ice cream, I go to McD's drive thru and get a cone - it's only 150 calories. Or get some fudgecicles if you think you can handle not eating more than a couple. Ice cream does not come in to my home because I have no control.
This.
But really, you could also try blended frozen banana with cocoa powder! (I add peanut butter too sometimes). Don't add any sugar.0 -
I eat a quarter cup of ice cream with a spoonful of plain yoghurt and cashews almost every night. It's 100 calories and I find it keeps cravings just gone. If I feel crazy I have a dot of chocolate syrup or a square of a Ritter dark chocolate bar. Only 30 calories.
I'm planning on doing this the rest of my life. I am nOt giving up dessert forever!0 -
For me, when that time comes around all I want is (Americanized) Chinese Food. Chicken Lo Mein and fried rice. Willpower helps, but it's okay to have a little bit of what you're craving as long as it's with moderation.0
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I have the same problem. Before my period i'm ravenous and nothing fills me up, and I really crave sweets, which I don't even like all that much usually! It is definitely difficult. What I found helps is to keep none of that junk in the house. It's much too easy to get if I can just walk out to the kitchen, but if I have to actually get in a car to drive somewhere, go into the store, etc. I'm too lazy.
Tea with a tiny bit of milk and Splenda hits the spot for me, or diet hot chocolate, which is only about 20 calories.0 -
I go for granola cereal that has chocolate in it. It helps with the craving. Also, you can get cereals with fruit in them too. Keep in mind, you can have tiny amounts of stuff. Basically, you don't want to feel so deprived that you'll charge into eating too much.0
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Not sure what the nutritionist would say, but it’s better than candy and ice cream… Try tricking your sweet tooth with some low calorie sweet snacks. I love banana popsicles, all-natural applesauce, jello, teddy grahams, etc. Be careful to not eat foods with aspartame just to save calories though! I also love cutting up strawberries and mixing them with blueberries for a sweet snack.0
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wow all very good advice on here......goodluck idk honestly when i have cravings on my period i HAVE TO have what i want...bc otherwise if im like no ill be good then i blow it worse than if i just ate what i wanted. its easy to sit here and be like oh try this try that but when im craving its like GET OUT OF MY WAY:explode: haha0
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I keep dark chocolate around just for that purpose, I really like the dark chocolate covered power berries from Trader Joes, but you do still have to maintain some portion control. 1/8 of a cup is 90 cals (1 serving is 1/4 cup but thats too many cals for me), about 8-10 berries, I just nibble on a couple a few times throughout the day.0
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haha you know the guys are gonna peak in anyway!0
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Thanks for all the great ideas! I knew you girls would help!!0
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I have the same craving. Ice cream is my ultimate favourite dessert and adding chocolate is even better. I discussed it with my Dietitian and she gave me a couple good suggestion.
#1 Buy some Baker's Dark or Semi Sweet Chocolate Squares, put them in the freezer and when the craving hits, pop one square in your mouth and let it melt. This is approx. 100 calories.
#2 Make 1 package of chocolate pudding and 1 package of Dreamwhip, whipped cream (both can be made with low fat milk). Make them individually first then gently fold the whipped cream into the chocolate pudding. Divide into single servings and freeze them (I usee the small round Ziplock containers). These are approx. 150 calories but worth every bite because it's like eating chocolate mousse.
From what my dietitian says, as ladies, our bodies crave one of the chemicals in chocolate but it only takes a little to satisfy the craving. I have tried both these ideas and they work well.
Hope this helps!! Good luck!!0 -
Try and get small portions of what you are really craving.... sometimes if we don't eat a small amount, we overeat it and that is worse. Here is what I do for chocolate..... get foil covered eggs (or some type of foil covered chocolate), put it in the freezer and when you have that craving, pop one in your mouth (foil off, of course) and just suck on it. It takes about 10 minutes to melt and really satisfies the craving for only a few calories. I do this almost daily.
New to the site and in LOVE with this idea!0 -
I cant really comment as I have troubles with this area and so Im on a pill that stops a cycle completely and havent dealt with this since I was 18! however my friend goes through this all the time and just takes either a glass of milk or water any time she gets a craving, and then after an hour if it still hasnt gone then limit yourself to a small portion of what you want 0
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Ladies.
Read this research piece which addresses the subject of energy expenditure during the menstrual cycle as well as the comments at the bottom as there is tons of valuable information:
http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/research-review/impact-of-the-menstrual-cycle-on-determinants-of-energy-intake-reseach-review.html0 -
I always allow myself one square of high quality dark chocolate a day. No sense denying yourself everything you crave. Moderate the amount and enjoy (without guilt!)
(During ovulation and menstruation- so 2 weeks- I am SO hungry I could chew my own arm off- it's killer!)0 -
I just have to stay busy! If I sit there and dwell on it ill get grumpy because I am "hungry." Just find something fun that will get your mind off of it!0
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haha you know the guys are gonna peak in anyway!
Bet they bolt when they read the topic though lol0 -
Not me. I actually contributed above by providing some research material :blushing:haha you know the guys are gonna peak in anyway!
Bet they bolt when they read the topic though lol0 -
I've adapted a mindset all or nothing (not only during TOM but always)... I CANNOT HAVE ONLY ONE COOKIE.. or something that's bad for me in moderation. I stopped eating it altogether or found healthy alternatives, and don't crave "the bad stuff" anymore. During the most intense craving times, I drank room temperature water or peppermint tea. Both help with cravings. At first, it seemed like I was going to go crazy. But by doing so, I have "trained" myself not to binge, overeat, etc. I also work out hard. In the beginning I would burn 2000 calories hiking and then eat a box of cookies. Stupid, right? Why sabotage myself? Why workout in the first place? This works really well for me.0
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