PMS and Diet

I totally have the same problem! ate terribly this time around... or maybe I just noticed it since this is the first time since I have been tracking my food. Anyways, no answers... just empathy!

My problem is the week before. I feel famished all day, no matter what (or how much) I eat. Next time, I'm going to be really dilligent in making sure that I eat healthy, delicious, filling foods that best mock the types of things I crave. As for your cramps, I agree with the poster above, you should go see your doctor to see if he can offer any relief. Good luck!

Give in. If you go overboard this time, so what? Maybe next time won't be so bad - but if it is, then it is. I have this problem each month for the most part. Don't sweat it. I think we are wired to burn more cals during TOM anyway! It hasn't kept me from my goals! My favorite injdulgences are low-fat Breyers ice cream, and/or Kroger brand Raisin Brand Crunch. (and I mean and/or!) Yum!! 2 or 3 bowls usually do the trick!! No kidding!! Don't sweat it! Pamper thyself!

Girl, you are not the only one that goes through this monthly dilemma. I go through it too, and it's not easy, let me tell you! I have my moments in which I will have the feeling of splurging, but instead, I will allow myself a little treat with my diet in mind. I have been going through this for the past week, and I was able to share a snickers bar with a friend (so I didn't end up consuming the full 290 calories of one regular sized bar), and when I need a bag of chips, I will indulge in a pack of Baked Lays (the small individual bag with 130 cals). Another great alternative for the chocolate fix: Sugar Free Caramel Filled Hersheys (fun size). Each individual bar contains 30 cals and takes care of the craving. As long as you don't over-do it, and limit yourself in the process, while counting these calories in the mix, you will do just fine, and are more likely to succeed than completely restricting yourself... if you completely tell yourself no, and don't touch these items, you may end up breaking your diet during these trying times of the month and will find yourself starting all over again when it's all done. Good luck!!! :flowerforyou:

Sometimes it isn't about making the "healthy" choice it is about making the BETTER choice. For example if you crave chocolate like I do and can find something low in calories or that has less sugar and choose that instead of a piece of chocolate cake then you still have achieved something. It is all about give and take and MODERATION if you want a cookie that is ok but if you eat half the bag then be committed to working it off or eating less later. We have all been there though and I definitely feel your pain hang in there and you can do it!

I don't have terrible PMS symptoms, but when I'm making a point to eat healthy I do get cravings. Since I pretty much deny myself everything (new clothes, sweets, 8 straight hours of sleep, time to myself, etc.) because I'm a stay at home mom and money has been tight, I give in when I have to. I'll go crazy if I don't! So if I absolutely have to have soda, chocolate, or junk food, I do. I do my best to keep it within reason, but my sanity and patience with my children is more important than sticking to my healthy diet and calorie restrictions. A few days won't really hurt the long term goal and for me, this is definitely a time when the short term needs are more important!

You should talk to my wife, Nursevee. She goes through this too. Excruciating pain, nausea and then the cravings hit. If nothing else some good encouragement might be great for both of you.

My cramps are so bad, I finally found a doctor that would give me the good drugs. I take 1 hydrocodone, every 4-6 hours for 2 days. I pretty much sleep for those 48 hours. If you do that, you won't crave anything. When you wake up though, you WILL be hungry!

I posted about this before, but it's worth repeating. The first thing I feel like eating once the pain subsides is the same thing... every month... a double cheeseburger (no mayo, add extra mustard), fries, Dr Pepper and chocolate Frosty from Wendy's. Before MFP, I would get the largest size of each item... and eat/drink it all... in 1 sitting.

Now, since joining MFP, I don't get the Dr Pepper at all and I get the small version of the fries and Frosty. I still get the double cheeseburger because there's just something about the single that tastes different and I really love the way the double tastes.

When I eat like this, it's usually my only meal of the day and I definitely log everything. IF I still have calories, etc to consume, if I feel up to eating anything else, I make better choices. That craving's so strong though, I think there's a reason for it, so I give in. I think things would turn uglier if I didn't.

Oh, and for those of you that crave chocolate... I JUST found something at Sam's Club tonight that I love! (Yes, I didn't even get in the truck to go home before I tried them.) Brookside Dark Chocolate Pomegranate... they're fruit juice pieces dipped in dark chocolate!

The nutrition information says that 20 pieces is 1 serving. That is waaaaaaay too much, IMO. I gave myself permission to have 1/2 a serving. By the time I got to piece 8, I realized I had already eaten too many. They didn't taste as good at that point. The first couple pieces were AWESOME though! So, if you limit yourself to 5 pieces, it will satisfy that need for chocolate, taste great and not be too terribly bad for you. Enjoy!

Well I just started MFP, and I was on my period! I still managed to lose almost 6lbs. But I know what y'all mean about craving things. Usually it's dark chocolate and something nice and salty. I'm an equal opportunity snacker. LOL

However, this last time I didn't indulge too much. (I.E. I had a Sausage McMuffin or two...) :ohwell:

30mins later I was bloated and SO uncomfortable. :sick:

...I'm thinking tho that the bloat, etc is from gluten. We'll see.

Gosh, now I want to try those dark chocolate pomagranet things.

I think we all go through it at some point just some worse than others. AS I have gotten older my cycles have gotten better but there is still that 24-48 hour period where I hurt so bad just standing kills me. Thankfully once I started working out my period decreased and my cramping and pain levels decreased. I have found the only thing that works for me is popping Aleve like there is no tomorrow. And brownies once I can eat. however since I no longer allow myself brownies(I'd eat the whole bowl in one day..not kidding) Bryers dark chocoltate and raspberry bars hist the spot and way less calories.