Ladies - advice controlling pre-menstrual food cravings?

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Replies

  • phantomjam
    phantomjam Posts: 46 Member
    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

    Your body probably needs the calcium from the dairy but dairy is high in a type of fat that increases prostaglandin production, leading to stronger contractions of the uterus and more pain. The oils in fatty fish on the other hand counteract this.

    Instead, if you choose to have sardines, they are also high in Calcium (chew the bones). Lots of people don't like sardines but they can be good. Try them broiled with salt and pepper or squeeze lemon juice on them or make a tomato sauce. If you can get smoked herring in your country then that's amazing in tomato sauce, though very high in sodium.
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    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!

    Don't feel guilty! I have lost weight eating fish and chips. Salad is a nice idea. Also up your daily calories a little for today, take a walk, and enjoy.
  • lavendy17
    lavendy17 Posts: 309 Member
    Same boat!
    I eat what I normally eat and I feel HUNGRY all the time. Not craving, but seriously hungry, stomach growling, weakness in my knees- the whole 9-yard.

    I don't know why, but red meat helps me during those days. Maybe I need a certain nutrient.
  • autumnsquirrel
    autumnsquirrel Posts: 258 Member
    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.
    This makes sense:) Thanks for sharing:)
  • everstraete
    everstraete Posts: 18 Member
    I'm totally on the give into the cravings train. I have specific foods I generally crave during my period and so in the mornings I immediately add everything that sounds delicious (dark chocolate, ice cream, salty snacks, fried foods, lattes with piles of flavorings and soda, etc) and then evaluate how many calories that is going to be and then evaluate. Usually I can't fit everything into my calorie goal, especially since I like to be in the realm of the macros at least marginally so I chose the most "important" ones to me and plan my meals accordingly.
  • Momjogger
    Momjogger Posts: 750 Member
    Just tried protein shakes with Stevia during the day and had a seafood pocket with tons of veggies and I feel full.

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