We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Personal question for the ladies....

abbynormalartist
abbynormalartist Posts: 318 Member
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Do you adjust your calories up or down around your monthly cycle? I find myself hungry the week before my period and was just wondering if rather than being cranky or feeling guilty after a mini-binge, if I should just plan to eat a little more this week and a little less on other weeks. What do you ladies do?
«1

Replies

  • Chef_Barbell
    Chef_Barbell Posts: 6,644 Member
    My period doesn't affect me at all. But if you are having cravings I would adjust my calories to compensate.
  • chelllsea124
    chelllsea124 Posts: 336 Member
    I crave BIG TIME, but I adjust accordingly so I don't binge. I make sure that I made room for something I don't normally eat, like m&m's or something.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • MelissaPhippsFeagins
    MelissaPhippsFeagins Posts: 8,063 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    If I'm hangry, I'll eat at maintenance. It's usually about 3 days. I still weigh and log everything to insure I'm at maintenance calories.

    What she said.
  • chelllsea124
    chelllsea124 Posts: 336 Member
    suzannesimmons3 wrote: »
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    If I'm hangry, I'll eat at maintenance. It's usually about 3 days. I still weigh and log everything to insure I'm at maintenance calories.

    This....

    This is a great idea
  • chelllsea124
    chelllsea124 Posts: 336 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    If I'm hangry, I'll eat at maintenance. It's usually about 3 days. I still weigh and log everything to insure I'm at maintenance calories.

    quoted the wrong one. THIS is a great idea. :)
  • laurenebargar
    laurenebargar Posts: 3,081 Member
    I excerise a little more which can be a longer walk or a hike, to get all those happy feelings. But if that's not possible I eat a few hundred extra calories, still under maintenance but it helps me alot.
  • RenaTX
    RenaTX Posts: 345 Member
    Yes it effects me. Prior to my period I find that I want to just munch. That and I develop bad cystic acne. Lately I found taking a high source of GLA has done wonders for my PMS. I take Borage oil and eat hemp oil throughout the month and increase the dose a few days before I think PMS will kick in. So far it's working for me.
  • everher
    everher Posts: 909 Member
    I don't eat more, but I snack more. Usually I eat three meals a day and maybe a snack. When I'm extra hungry because of TOM I eat maybe five or six mini meals. I find it helps to eat more frequently vs. more calories. At least, for me it does.
  • MelissaSheklian
    MelissaSheklian Posts: 141 Member
    I try to stay in calorie range, usually on the higher end for PMS week. I find that it's more about hitting specific needs than overall "must eat everything" like adding a tablespoon of dark cocoa powder to my usual protein shake for chocolate cravings or sipping flavored sparkling water for sweetness and repeating something to myself along the lines of: its only a couple days, you know what you're body is doing just ride it out.
  • grinning_chick
    grinning_chick Posts: 765 Member
    edited July 2017
    I didn't use to, but definitely do now. :o For the last 1-2 years or so in fact. I've started tinkering with diet starting with the last cycle because I'm tired of it setting me back and it being nearly impossible to 'make-up' the 1-2.5K extra calories I'll consume in a reasonable time-frame without restricting too much and being miserable.

    I'm planning to see if I increase calories a bit (maintenance is a good idea - thanks!), but make them all protein calories, if that can help me get a handle on it. Wish me success!

    (I already take EPA/DHA/GLA daily for other reasons, and have been for 6-12 months, but they provide no relief for me unfortunately darn it.)
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    Usually I don't notice any changes in appetite. But when I occasionally do, it's not a problem to eat at maintenance for a few days.
  • SundropEclipse
    SundropEclipse Posts: 84 Member
    During TOM I'm normally a pickier eater (more broths, light/high-water veggies, etc) but this month I've been craving more protein and carbs (most likely because I haven't given up on my morning swims). In either case I tend to exercise less due to severe pain and fatigue from bloodloss (I'm iron-deficient anemic). Occassionally the week before I'll be hungrier so I'll eat 300-500 calories more, but generally I don't think about it because I bounce back quickly the following week.
  • asianolikeyou
    asianolikeyou Posts: 393 Member
    I adjust my workout and calories to accommodate any cravings, aches, etc.
  • MommaGem2017
    MommaGem2017 Posts: 405 Member
    I tend to crave salty foods like mad. I just drink extra water to counter it.
  • Momepro
    Momepro Posts: 1,509 Member
    No, I don't adjust it, I'm not quite that anal about it matching exactly. I just keep in mind that I might go over a bit on those days, and try to maje sure I'm still eating mindfully.
  • AMV91
    AMV91 Posts: 86 Member
    I will eat at maintenance typically. I'm often only very hungry the first few days and the last few hardly at all, so often it evens out.
  • siyana1985
    siyana1985 Posts: 25 Member
    i leave it as is but i usually do let myself have a little treat during the first 48hours when it feels like a little trex is trying to free itself and i just want something to not suck for a moment....actually i think the only times i've gone over loss calories and closer to maintain cals have been at that time of the month..... now harm in adding a fee extra calories and allowing yourself some dark chocolate!
  • WickAndArtoo
    WickAndArtoo Posts: 773 Member
    Oh I get RAVENOUS the week before my TOM, but I also have the most energy the week before my TOM so I just compensate by working out as hard as possible-weights and running in addition to my normal walks. I eat as much as I want as long as it's home made/healthy foods such as lean meats/veggies/whole grains and so far even though I have always been thousands over my calories I always lose and keep off a pound reliably after my TOM. For some reason it works for me so I just am sticking with it... not that I really have a choice :wink: those cravings are intense!
  • BeccaLoves2lift
    BeccaLoves2lift Posts: 375 Member
    TheWJordinWJordin wrote: »
    The binges can undo an entire 3 weeks of work. You'll regret it. I suffer through it being mindful of what is going on. Leave the bag of doritos alone! The binges are fierce and once it starts it's hard to stop. I would go out just to get out.
    * odd how when I started eating healthier, the urges calmed down over time.

    I agree with this. I get crazy cravings when I PMS. I just push through it knowing it will run its course.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,955 Member
    edited July 2017
    abbynormalartist wrote: »
    Do you adjust your calories up or down around your monthly cycle?

    Nope.

    I occasionally have a mild increase in hunger, and if I do I'll just exercise a bit more so I can eat a bit more. :)

    One thing I've discovered is that the lighter I am, the fewer cravings I get.

  • LisaEatSleepRun
    LisaEatSleepRun Posts: 159 Member
    I exercise everyday in the week leading up to my period in order to manage my PMS symptoms (moodiness, anxiety, aches & pains etc). And since I exercise more I can eat more, especially whatever I am craving, in moderation. Hello ice-cream-cookies-chocolate-cake, topped with whipped cream :wink:
  • Aerona85
    Aerona85 Posts: 159 Member
    The week before I am usually hungrier than normal (and more tired than normal/don't want to exercise). The week of I barely want to eat. So for me it evens out. I don't notice any weight loss for those 2 weeks until it's all over, then it drops off basically overnight. Then back to normal for 2 weeks and repeat.

    Eating at maintenance seems to be the best recommendation. That and making sure you still log everything.
  • ansmit4642014
    ansmit4642014 Posts: 67 Member
    I don't eat more but I will add a glass of milk and work it into my macros as I think this really helps with my cravings
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    I don't get the increase in appetite every month, usually every 3 or so cycles thankfully. I just eat extra protein and fat on my hungry days and try and exercise more to offset the overage.

    To those of you who eat up to your maintenance calories , what you will you do when you are actually in maintenance?
  • vlheriss
    vlheriss Posts: 4 Member
    My cycle doesn't affect my appetite.
  • x_stephisaur_x
    x_stephisaur_x Posts: 149 Member
    Usually I'd say that it shouldn't have an effect blah, blah, blah but OMG this week is killing me!

    I have super intense cramps and want to eat everything in sight. Today will be about eating comfort foods within my allowance, and maybe crying between dinner and bed lol

    x
  • Sunna_W
    Sunna_W Posts: 744 Member
    I like this advice:

    http://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/pms-cravings
    https://bodyecology.com/articles/boost_serotonin_happiness_heals_brain.php
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2077351/ (get some sun! to raise serotonin)
    https://www.ihealthtube.com/content/only-two-ways-raise-brain-serotonin-levels

This discussion has been closed.

Categories