OMG PMS!!!

I find that I am more hungry during, though I crave chocolate and just stuff really the week before. When I take a vitamin supplement with magnesium I am a lot better. My recommended it to me and it really seems to help.

I hear ya! I have some strategies. It may sound weird but I've been tracking my symptoms on an app called "P Tracker Lite". I note when I have cravings, moods, etc and the following month I know exactly when to expect those cravings. I will plan for a walk on those days, or a visit to some local low-key attraction.

Also, I can't promote nuts enough. I swear, when I've eaten a 300 cal. lunch I KNOW I will be starving by 4pm and will give into my cravings. So, I plan my calories by meal and often add a Trader Joe's handful bag of almonds or cashews and I promise it keeps me full and the cravings at bay.

Strategies, you need strategies to deal with that time in your cycle but first you have to know when to expect the symptoms, so track!

Good luck!

I have massive sugar cravings a few days before and during!! it's really annoying!

You had to mention Mr. Goodbar....

I always want candy. Candy, candy, candy. Swedish fish, taffy, bit-o-honey, kit kats, black licorice, red licorice etc etc... I have noticed lately for about the past 5 months or so, i have had this craving for milk. It seems like i can't get enough milk. I am getting older, so i wonder if my body is just needing the extra calcium, or vitamin d.

Your body is speaking to you! Don't go crazy, but if you're body needs extra fuel, feed it! Just try to be as healthy as possible :-) Personally I tend to have no appetite at all the first 2 days of my period, so I feel like it all evens out.

Want to eat ALL. THE. TIME!!!
Every month I just want to eat all the time for the few days leading up to my period, then I'm back to normal. I don't have to have fried or fatty or sweet, but I am hungry constantly for three days or so. It's so difficult to stick to the calories. I still go to the gym and do my workouts, I have no problem staying motivated I just want food.

WORST feeling in the world...so glad that beast woman only comes out once a month or I'd go bonkers.

I usually have the conundrum of knowing I need to eat but my body says "No! Don't! I'll punch your insides!" *punch*
I also have (usually) very mild anemia that also gives me MONSTER cravings for red meat(saturated fat,anyone?). And my period is irregular(a commonly occurring side effect of being very overweight) so I don't know what's going on until I'm writhing on the bathroom floor in pain hoping I caught a stomach virus. Hopefully, I'll get better control over everything now that I've got a new period tracker app on my phone(MyCalendar is the BEST).

There is science behind this. Here is an article about a study done on women and food cravings during PMS: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/judith-j-wurtman-phd/dr-oz-rubber-wristbands-a_b_785512.html

Basically, it says that the hormones that bring on menstruation also mess with brain chemistry, making it harder for the brain to get the proper serotonin levels.

Serotonin is boosted by non-fructose carb consumption. Unfortunately, we crave all carbs at that time of the month, fructose or not. Eating fruit won't help, but eating chocolate will. A cookie or other high carb snack will help the brain get back to normal.

The article goes on to say that 30 grams of carbs is all that is necessary to beat those cravings. Avoid protein when the carb cravings strike and grab a granola bar or something instead. When the craving has passed, then eat your usual proteins.

Protein will short circuit serotonin production, that is why you should stick to non fruit and non-fructose carbs when the craving strikes. Dark chocolate, a piece of bread (no jelly or peanut butter) with butter, a bowl of cereal (without fruit or nuts), a roll or some pasta will get you feeling better and back on track quickly.