One for the ladies... PMS Cravings - tips please

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Replies

  • ruthiejewell
    ruthiejewell Posts: 134 Member
    bump for my neice!
  • sabified
    sabified Posts: 1,035 Member
    bump for the ideas and to try to remember abt that pinkpad app... I use mydays (but, like you may assume, only tracks the days)
  • kirstyfairhead
    kirstyfairhead Posts: 220 Member
    Hi Ya

    I would recommend locking yourself in a room for the week and paying someone to only pass lettuce leaves under the door!!!

    If this seems a little impractical however then I find a nice cup of tea helps!!

    Seriously though, I want to eat the world at that time of the month and it is hard to stay focussed, I find that hot drinks help with the hungry and I allocate a small amount of dark chocolate into my calories almost every day. I allow myself to eat this late evening and then somehow I can get through the day knowing that I will have my sweet treat later. If I eat the sweet earlier in the day I just want more before bed time so will power still required but it helps!!

    Also keep small fruit portions available like sweet cherries, pineapple chunks, satsuma oranges etc these can help with sweet cravings without being too heavy on the calories.

    I also try to remember just how 'happy' I was when I was 40lbs heavier and somehow those lettuce leaves start to look much more yummy!!!:happy:
  • lilRicki
    lilRicki Posts: 4,555 Member
    I set everything to maintenance. I've tried fighting in, and I just go crazy. So I eat a little more, make sure I'm hitting my calcium targets and for a week I maintain.
  • hammbone55
    hammbone55 Posts: 73
    I used to have terrible cravings a few days before my period would start. For some reason now that I went off birth control and really limit my grain/dairy intake I only get cravings once in a while. I really think that hormones in foods you eat can really make things with your body wacky. I know if I eat too many grains/dairy I get really bloated and have severe cravings. I just try to limit those things to maybe 0-1 serving a day. This is just me though and not every one reacts the same to certain foods. If I have cravings though I try to eat fruit and that usually helps. I always keep most of my fruits and veggies cut up and ready to eat though.
  • McWooey
    McWooey Posts: 61 Member
    PMS is real. Hormones are real, just because we can't see them doesn't make them not there. When you get older and grow chin hair and the hair on your head starts to thin, you realize that hormones ARE real. Guys should know that. They are also prone to giving in to their hormones. That is why they are like dogs when they see a pretty lady walk by. The difference is that they don't have cyclical hormones, so they don't notice that they are acting like fools because they have hormone overload (especially the young ones). They are just dogs ALL the time, while we women have our hormone problems for a week or so out of an entire month. Just ask a pregnant lady if hormones are real or not. Guys need to keep their ignorant opinions and ideas to themselves. ;)

    I keep a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips on hand, and when my PMS chocolate cravings are raging, I have a tablespoon or sometimes two. The chocolate cravings are pretty easy to satisfy, but I crave starches like breads, pasta, cookies, cupcakes, etc., and that seems harder to satisfy and easier to go overboard with.

    I couldn't agree more... I hate when guys, particularly trainers, are condescending and belittle hormones that women have... its something they will NEVER understand. i get that some women don't suffer from PMS, and they're lucky... but that doesnt mean the rest of us don't. I crave the starchy carby stuff all the time, but have managed it well within my diet, the craving for sweet stuff throws me because i dont normally care for it!
  • McWooey
    McWooey Posts: 61 Member
    Ice lollies are my trick, any low calorie sweet drink frozen gives you sweet solid food. I get very bloated around this time so I dont like eating at all, or I feel fatter than I am.

    118 lbs down to 110 and im damb well staying that weighr or under.

    Good for you!!
  • chandanista
    chandanista Posts: 986 Member
    I don't crave chocolate during that time. However, I have been known to force myself to walk or bike the couple miles to the store so I could fulfill a donut need, or to get some burger. Big meat eater during TOM; I assume I need the protein and iron to rebuild my blood supply. I hate exercise during TOM but find that if I make myself work to fulfill the craving, it's not only more satisfying but I negate a portion of the calories through the exercise.

    I'd like to see a man who judged PMS as "made up excuses" try bleeding constantly for a week, and see if he craves anything to replace that blood.
  • McWooey
    McWooey Posts: 61 Member
    I used to have terrible cravings a few days before my period would start. For some reason now that I went off birth control and really limit my grain/dairy intake I only get cravings once in a while. I really think that hormones in foods you eat can really make things with your body wacky. I know if I eat too many grains/dairy I get really bloated and have severe cravings. I just try to limit those things to maybe 0-1 serving a day. This is just me though and not every one reacts the same to certain foods. If I have cravings though I try to eat fruit and that usually helps. I always keep most of my fruits and veggies cut up and ready to eat though.

    Funnily enough I have found that since going onto my gyms diet that is set for my body type, i now can't eat too many carbs in the day or i feel bloated and get tummy pain, i was eating HUGE amounts of carbs and reduced them significantly and it was obvious that was a huge cause of my weight gain and bloating!
  • McWooey
    McWooey Posts: 61 Member
    I don't crave chocolate during that time. However, I have been known to force myself to walk or bike the couple miles to the store so I could fulfill a donut need, or to get some burger. Big meat eater during TOM; I assume I need the protein and iron to rebuild my blood supply. I hate exercise during TOM but find that if I make myself work to fulfill the craving, it's not only more satisfying but I negate a portion of the calories through the exercise.

    I'd like to see a man who judged PMS as "made up excuses" try bleeding constantly for a week, and see if he craves anything to replace that blood.

    yes... i agree!

    and I always treat myself to a cheeseburger when Tom comes to visit because I deserve the pick-me-up! :smile:
  • silken555
    silken555 Posts: 478 Member
    I'm a strange creature...my appetite diminishes before and during my period and I have to remind myself to eat. I often get lethargic at that TOM so that could be part of it. Once in a while though, I will crave sweet things or things with a lot of fat content.
  • emirror
    emirror Posts: 842 Member
    I tend to want cheeseburgers and fries around that time... which is weird because I don't usually want them at any other time. I just go ahead and eat what I want and try to even out the calories by surrounding that meal with healthy meals, or, get more exercise in to burn off the extra. I also drink more water on those days to counteract the sodium.

    The week after, I tend to eat a LOT of protein. It's not conscious, I just want those foods.

    Vary rarely, I'll want some chocolate (not pms related), so I keep very fine chocolates in my freezer, and they are all individually wrapped. I get one, go into the other room, and then take tiny nibbles off of it until it's gone. If I can make it last long enough for the chemicals in the chocolate to reach those receptors that are wanting it, then one piece is plenty.

    I find that most of the cravings have gone away since I started supplementing with vitamins and fish oil. It might be coincidence, or it could be that my body is getting those things that it is craving/needing. I have seen lists of "if you crave this ... your body needs this ..." type of lists. I don't know the science behind it, so I'm not going to link to it, but most of the solutions have to do with vitamins, minerals, and whole foods. With that in mind, it would make sense that as I make my diet healthier, and have started supplementing to get those things that my diet lacks (hey, I'm still working on it), that cravings would diminish. But, like I said, I don't know the science behind it (I've done some searching, but no luck finding the study yet), so take that for what it is worth, which is an anecdotal piece of information.

    I like the idea of logging in the day's meals ahead of time to better plan snacks. Genius is its simplicity!
  • adorable_aly
    adorable_aly Posts: 398 Member
    I say incorporate it into your calories, and allow yourself to eat at maintenance for a couple of days. Honestly when I'm bleeding from the crotch I'm a raving lunatic, and there is no way someone is taking my ice cream away from me, and anyone who tries can get my hormonal wrath.

    Thank god I live alone, huh?!
  • chrisloveslife
    chrisloveslife Posts: 180 Member
    Chocolate rice cakes. They are 60 calories each and I can't eat more than 2 of them. Sometimes I'll throw a little bit of peanut butter on them. Or eat a banana with a tbsp of Nutella.
  • leannerae40
    leannerae40 Posts: 200 Member
    Mmmm. A hunk of dark chocolate goes a long way and is good for you. Another good tip, look up how much you have to do to burn off whatever you're about to put in your mouth. You might still want it, but if it's too much to work it off, I can usually tell myself to either put it down and step away, or, only eat half!

    Good luck...
  • steffij100
    steffij100 Posts: 85 Member
    Something with a rush of sweetness, though healthy at the same time...raspberries are great, so easy to eat and in season. Cherries...and dried fruit such as apricots, raisins etc. Though not too many of the latter, as they certainly don't help with the bloating! Or could you ask your folks to not keep buns in the house? Best not to have access to temptations if possible. Though you will roam the house like a caged tiger, you will feel so happy with yourself when you make it through! :happy:
  • KelliB3
    KelliB3 Posts: 39 Member
    I keep a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips on hand, and when my PMS chocolate cravings are raging, I have a tablespoon or sometimes two.
    [/quote]

    ^Sorry but this is horrible advise. I once ate an entire bag of chocolate chips due do an extreme craving. It's hard to just have a tablespoon or two, especially when you have raging hormones and you've deprived yourself of sweets for a long period of time.

    Last night I started my period and was craving a Skor blizzard from dairy Queen. I tried telling myself no, but in the end I justified it by cycling for 60 minutes to the nearest Dairy Queen. I figured I'd burn some calories and gain some. Even it out. I'm sure I consumed more than I burned but in my mind it was totally worth it. it's just one day!
  • tlou5
    tlou5 Posts: 497 Member
    I agree that cravings are real and kudos to you for trying to deal with them in a healthy manner. I personally allow myself treats but just fit it into my calories for the day. IF I craved soda (yuk lol) I would probably just go with diet soda or with carbonated flavored water for some of the taste without the calories.
  • sharleengc
    sharleengc Posts: 792 Member
    I usually just give into them. I figure I need them for a reason. Also, if I give in, I can have just a little instead of putting it off and trying to avoid it then devouring everything in sight.

    If I want it, I'll get it but eat like a quarter or a half of whatever it is. Usually that's enough to satisfy me. If a few hours later I still want more, I'll evaluate my day and see if I can have it. But usually that piece is enough.

    I'll exercise more sometimes to make up for the treats but as I have a huge sweet too, I usually "save" a certain number of calories for my sweet tooth.
  • arathena720
    arathena720 Posts: 449 Member
    I will give in to the cravings but work them into y diet plan. Craving sweet and salty? I worked in rice cakes with peanut butter and dark chocolate chips. But I log it and work the rest of the day around it. Also, I don't now if they have these in Ireland, but Oogave makes a very nice 100 calorie soda with low sugar and carbs (real sugar, no HFCS or saccharin). Also I like the v8 sparkling sodas, at only 50 calories. I'll have them in a fancy glass and drink it like a cocktail. Maybe hit a health food store and see what types of healthy yummy snacks and sodas they have available, and just adjust the rest of your diary accordingly.
  • JRadd14
    JRadd14 Posts: 206 Member
    Yes - I feel for you... I'm going through it right now! I track my cycle on via an android phone app and atleast I can recognize the sudden urge for food about a week before.

    I would like to cut down on my sugar intake, period (no pun intended), but best to start after my TOM.
    I'm generally ravenous a week before and crave sugar, etc. I contribute that to hormones and feeling more tired. Try to get more sleep, workout regularly (even a bit more to burn off any extra cals consumed). I also have a Nutribullet and will be having a "juice" once a day, especially during that critical time, to boost nutrients and ensure my body has everything it needs... our bodies have "cravings" when it needs something it's missing nutrient wise. Funny thing is the less sugar/fatty foods I have before my TOM the less discomfort I have during it.

    I'll be taking my own advise and implementing these and other suggestions from others for next month!

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