I do get them, but only if I haven't had enough fat and sodium. I'm lucky in that artificial sweeteners do not trigger sugar cravings for me. So I allow myself barely sweetened fat bombs, but I always to try fat and sodium up first to see that is the real issue.

That being said, I don't have the typical female cycle anymore, because I take continuous birth control pills (medical reasons). So I don't get these mood swings, but in times of stress, I definitely find myself picking up the fat first. I think I just had to train my thinking.

A little over a week ago, I had a total freak out moment over something mild, and normally that would have had me eating half my weight in sugar, candy, and junk. I was eating lunch. I didn't binge on extra lunch. I didn't even think of junk. I binge texted my best friend, and did a little happy dance when I realized hours later that it was my first major freak out moment without food being my first response.

So, hormonal issues withstanding, I would say check your sodium and fat levels - and maybe ramp them up when PMS starts, or whatever your timing issue is. Good luck.

EDIT: Today is day 42 since I started LCHF, and day 8 since I started Keto, specifically.

Well, I went to look at your diary, but you and I aren't friends yet. LOL If you don't mind, what are your carbs/protein/fat set at? To give you perspective, mine are set more to keto standards, but mine are:

Grams: 44 / 88 / 136 (actually, I need to update this - it isn't indicative of my current goals)

Percentages 5% / 15-20% / 75-80%

This is set primarily by my carb goal (was previously 50 total grams, is now 20-25 net grams). Protein is set off the basic LeanBodyMass calculation, Fat fills in the rest.

(my calculation is based on 48% body fat, so estimated 52% lean-not accounting for details/for ease of calculations. 250 pounds, 52% = roughly 130 pounds LBM
range of 0.6 g - 1 g of protein per pound of LBM higher if doing weights, etc.). .6 gives me 78 grams, .7 gives me 91. so I set my goal on the lower end because I'm not strength training yet. That is my ballpark. Not upper limit. 130 grams is probably upper limit...just from this.)

Just to let you know, the reason I dropped this low was because my sweets/carbs/junk cravings were not manageable above 50 grams of carbs. Then I found my numbers drifting lower naturally, and decided to kick the gears up. I do not know how low of carb your version of low carb is, so this is me.... But, the more fat I have, the lower my cravings.

I looked at your diary, and what you have in there, girl, you are all over the place! LOL I really hope that day you only ate 700 calories was incomplete!! There are some good calculators on here. Be aware that dropping your carbs that much at once, you will likely hit the keto flu for a bit, as well as have some water whoosh. Look forward to walking side by side as we keep on this path! We always learn best from the successful examples of those around us.

@fancyroberts‌ This isn't the first one I thought of, but it's a great one.

http://www.flexibleketogenic.com/

Keto calculator if you haven't found it yet:
http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/

yturie47 wrote: »

I love sweets and 2 or 3X daily will find myself drawn to the pantry or fridge looking for that quick fix, trying to convince myself it won't matter. once I have selected that irresistable item I close the door and imagine it covered in something vile. Whatever comes to mind. Usually I snap out of the spell. If I still find myself wanting it, I set the timer on my stove for 30 minutes. Almost always I have forgotten about it and am involved in something else when the timer goes off. It seems to help if you can trick that silly part of your mind into believing it is going to get its way. Try it, and see if it works for you. Every time it does you have a NSV!

That's actually some awesome techniques there. I'll have to keep them in mind if my cravings get out of control!

Lrdoflamancha wrote: »

Try dill pickle spears... No carbs and the taste knocks out cravings.... No idea why it works so well on sugar cravings but it does.

I'm giving this tip a try. Thanks!

itcphotog wrote: »

Keto calculator if you haven't found it yet:
http://keto-calculator.ankerl.com/

Thank you!

As a guy I found just any source of stress be it physical or emotional pain lead me to poke my face with sugar/other carbs. I was just using them as a way to cope I know know. After a couple weeks being off most all carbs (<50 grams daily from whole foods only) going to the frig/pantry and digging for something sweet started to taper off to zero. It was the first of Oct 2014 when I got fed up losing sugar/carb craving battles and left them cold turkey. My only loss so far has been 20 pounds of fat. I still stuff my face in that I do not go around hungry but now with fats for the most part. I have had 800 cals of Almonds/Walnuts over the last hour after eating a huge meal at 5 PM today.

KnitOrMiss wrote: »

IamUndrCnstruction wrote: »

The pickle juice is also awesome at balancing electrolyte levels and can help with soreness and muscle cramping after a workout.

I wish I'd read this earlier this week. Last night, I was trying to up my sodium, so I had a pile of pickles and a couple glugs of pickle juice (I remember seeing something about it helping you retain enough water to function well, etc.).... Finally feeling human again/the cracked lips are healing. Then I log in this morning and see this. So smiling...living proof here!

Glad you are feeling well again!

UGH! I spoke too soon. The cracks are back. I've had tons of water, salt, and fat today already. Guess I'm buying more pickles on my way home... I wonder if I cut the pickle juice half with water if I can drink more of it in a day?