Ladies - advice controlling pre-menstrual food cravings?

For about a week before my period, I typically feel hungry all the time and get insane food cravings. Sometimes it feels almost worse than when I was pregnant! I have a really hard time controlling these cravings, until my period starts and then I am fine again. I have tried spreading out my meals by eating less per meal but more frequently during the day (6 small meals instead of 3 bigger ones), thinking that might help, when in fact it only makes it worse because then I'm more likely to binge. I try to drink more water and fluids so that my body recognizes I'm not actually hungry, but my irrational brain often speaks louder than my stomach.

Does anyone have any tips on how to control these cravings? Thanks!!

Me 2. My best defense is to be GONE from the house! lol Be out doing something anything to get my mind off snacking.

No magic!! Dig in and find that self control!!

Also, avoiding high sugar, processed, salty junky food as a general rule of thumb helps reduce cravings during PMS.

I let myself have some of what I crave but in moderation. Things that I would binge on (potato chips, 5 cent candies etc) need to not be in the house but I find some things like 100 cal popcorn packs that help get me through the cravings without becoming too much of a raging *****.

I will also do a lot of light exercise to keep me busy. When I was working I would make sure to use the bathroom on the 9th floor so I had to climb stairs, walk to the other side of the floor to talk to someone instead of firing off on email. Now that I am at home I take a lot more trips around town with my daughter during those couple of PMS days.

I have the same problem! Now I just don't keep any "naughty" foods that I know I'll be craving in the house. I also TRY to do more strength training and about an extra 15 minutes (45 minutes instead of 30) of cardio leading up to "that time." I noticed it decreases my cravings and my cramps aren't as bad.

I need help with this too. Mine came over a week early this month and I was starving last night. No freaking wonder. I just want cookies and chocolate when it's this time. I tried to fit them into my goals.

I'd like to hear some good advice for this too! So far all I've got is upping my veggie consumption to help with the feeling fuller part and drinking more coffee to curb hunger more - yes I know you are supposed to avoid caffeine, but I don't. I also think a little chocolate and nuts helps too because if I say no to chocolate at that time of the month - real chocolate, I end up eating all around it until I finally get it. I also try upping my calories by a couple hundred a day that week because I think your metabolism rises a week before your period so it makes sense that you get hungrier. All these strategies help some, but man is it tough!

Oh and almonds or walnuts--just measure it out!

For about a week before my period, I typically feel hungry all the time and get insane food cravings. Sometimes it feels almost worse than when I was pregnant! I have a really hard time controlling these cravings, until my period starts and then I am fine again. I have tried spreading out my meals by eating less per meal but more frequently during the day (6 small meals instead of 3 bigger ones), thinking that might help, when in fact it only makes it worse because then I'm more likely to binge. I try to drink more water and fluids so that my body recognizes I'm not actually hungry, but my irrational brain often speaks louder than my stomach.

Does anyone have any tips on how to control these cravings? Thanks!!

Go crazy; it's just once a month in the grand scheme of things. I have intense cravings, and even though I spend extra time at the gym, I will have what my body is craving when I get home. I have found to take the edge off is to eat almonds; I stocked up for the Winter on Planters pumpkin spice almonds---make sure you measure the portions, though, or you might go overboard. Drink water or green tea.

I like air-popped popcorn with butter flavored Oliv oil, and sea salt. It is very good fiber. You can have 3 cup limit. I make a big bowl it lasts a week or more.

You ARE feeling real hunger because during that time your body has a greater need for nutrients and energy which translates into calories. The trick is finding the right balance. It's a fallacy that the body needs a set number of calories each day. The body's needs fluctuate and these figures are just averages.

Nutrient dense foods that are high in fibre and minerals will contribute to less severe PMS symptoms, including cravings. Light aerobic exercise also helps to even out cravings and mood. Excessive exercise can have a negative effect.

High sodium foods are likely to cause water retention and high Glycemic Index foods may spike insulin leading to cycles of lethargy, edginess and more cravings.

For myself, I eat sweet potatoes because they cover a wide range of nutrients.
They satisfy my craving for something sweet and are very versatile so it keeps them interesting. If I'm craving chips, I bake them into chips. If I'm feeling lazy, I boil them. If I want something with a hint of sour, I saute them with orange pegs. You get the idea.

They are high in magnesium which relaxes muscles and often will drive cravings for excessively large amounts of chocolate away. They are high in vitamin Bs which calm the nerves and help to regulate hormone production. They have a whole host of other minerals and vitamins the body can put to good use during that time of the month. Sweet potatoes are starchy so they'll provide extra calories but they are also high fibre so the energy [edit: release] will be slow and won't make my insulin go crazy.

Now, sweet potatoes may not be your thing, just try something else. The principle is basically nutrient dense, high fibre food and some exercise to help balance insulin and release some endorphins. Eat if your hungry but make choices that will sate the hunger not perpetuate it.

I have the same question - I am suffering today. Just ordered fish and chip. Oops.

Don't have junk food that you like in the house... lol I buy my kids those Little Debbie cakes with the cherry filling because I know I don't like them so I won't eat them...

If you are losing blood, then that means you need to eat more. You should eat more before and doing your period because you don't want to be malnourished doing these body changing times. The week before your period, your body is prepping itself because it knows you're going to lose blood. Instead of not listening to what your body is telling you, you should make amends with it.

Try buying a ton of fruit (or even raw veggies) doing these times and every time you get hungry or think about food, eat the fruit until you feel full. So if you bought grapes, start munching on grapes until you feel satisfied. This should help your appetite but the great thing about fruit is that fruit has so little calories that you don't have to feel too concerned about eating too much.

You can also try peanuts to stop craving but that's if you have self control. You can also get rid of the junk food in your house. Out of sight, out of mind. Or you can use liquids to stop your craving if you prefer them. I usually drink a glass of chocolate milk or a warm cup of caffeine free tea to stop cravings.

I have the same question - I am suffering today. Just ordered fish and chip. Oops.

You shouldn't feel any guilt. That's actually a good choice. Protein, healthy fats and some starch for energy. Just add some fibrous veggies and see how it works.

I am having a salad with it,

I will try not to feel guilty!

I always crave dairy at that time, especially cheese, but if I have it my cramps get crazy painfully so I try and ignore the craving or only have the tiniest bit of bread and butter to ease the craving a bit