About to start my period and my appetite is insane

This seems to be the story of my life. I wish I could say I found some miracle and a way to dodge it, but I haven't.

I am trying to keep healthier things around so that if I am grazing continuously, it's at least something that's not going to add up to a lot of calories. But my problem is I always crave something warm, so I turn toward ordering out pizza/making a lean pocket/warming up some chicken on a pita/before I know it I warmed up the entire kitchen.

Drink lots of water to keep your stomach full! I just try to avoid my kitchen, which is hard because it's basically merged with my living room in this tiny apartment.

My boyfriend made the mistake that I was using my time of the month as an excuse to eat once.....If looks could kill that day he'd definitely be dead! He doesn't understand, I know, but it was still frustrating to hear.

Best of luck!

I eat and if I'm craving something particular, I eat that. Not as much as I'd like, but a portion of it. The mental anguish of constantly arguing with myself to not eat that isn't worth it.

Agreed. Otherwise, I don't feel satisfied and I just keep eating other things that end up adding up to more than if I just let myself have a bit of what I am craving. Eating protein bars, carrots, apples, etc still add up. I might as well just portion out the Cheez-its and move on!

I want to eat everything, doesn't matter what it is - tomato soup, fish, pickles, salami, cake, apricot jam, butter, bacon, anything. This hasn't happened in a long time, and this is the first time it's happened since I started trying to lose weight. It's not just boredom or cravings, I feel genuinely hungry, and it sucks because I have eaten enough that I should not be hungry. Ladies, what do you do when this happens? How do you force yourself to stay on track?

I have this same problem EVERY month. It usually starts a week before my period begins and I just feel like eating constantly, I crave chocolate mostly. I try to keep myself busy and to try to not think about it. If I really can't control the cravings then I have half a chocolate bar and thats it. It is tough to only have half but after the first few days you'll get used to it

When I'm hungry, I eat. I just make sure the food I want to eat is within my caloric allowance, so sometimes it's not a very big portion of it.

There have been lots of scientific studies around the cravings women experience during their period and though some say "it's just an excuse to pig out and eat whatever" these people are wrong. Scientists are now providing evidence that states you crave what your body needs at that particular stage of your cycle. I have a problem with salt, I can't get enough of it during my period, it leads to further bloating and explains (often) while I can gain anything from 1-7lbs in a week (it drives me batty).

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/comfort-cravings/201402/why-do-i-crave-chocolate-during-my-period
http://www.womens-health.co.uk/food-cravings.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3819250

Some of these are very helpful, and I felt much better realising that there really was a good reason for my desperate need to eat things that otherwise (during the normal time) I could, and can, ignore.

I work out; generally it kills off my appetite for a few hours. But I indulge as well, I just stay around my normal number of calories. Dark chocolate (we're talking 80% or more) is fantastic for cramps and seems to satisfy my craving for sweets; I can't even eat milk chocolate anymore.

Do what you can to keep the calories you intake high in protein and fat during that time and you'll feel more satiated. I mean, a bowl of strawberries is delicious, but it's also something I'm probably going to be starving an hour after eating.

Reading this helped me come to terms with TOM:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/380982-time-of-month-and-increased-appetite

I just bump my cals up to maintenance for those few days now

I just allow myself some treats around that time and try not to go too crazy. I agree with an above commenter, it's not worth the mental anguish of it. Have a few snacks you enjoy around that time and keep on going and remember to stay hydrated.

I have the same issue every month. One thing that actually helped my hunger was flax seed meal. I would sprinkle a Tbsp in my oatmeal or smoothie or in my yogurt. It truly helps me most of the time. Something about the fiber and good fats I think are what helps. My sister passed that nugget on to me. Hope it helps you too! :flowerforyou:

Same issue here! I just mainly try to really hydrate and then I will eat what I crave, just small amounts,

this was literally my my last 4 days, glad im not the only one...
i cave and get the ice cream (or whatever) BUT i take a long walk around the park while i eat it.