An astonishing 70 to 85 % of women, experience food cravings as part of their PMS symptoms.
Period hunger and cravings are natural, and there are solid, scientifically documented explanations why anyone who is on their period wants to eat everything before their cycle.
The changing estrogen and progesterone levels that arise throughout that time of month are generally cited for these desires. After all, your uterus is literally breaking down and making its way out of your body!
If you are struggling with PCOS/ endometriosis: Read this first:
But there are some foods that can help manage cravings…
But first, what does science say?
According to a 2016 research on the topic, variations in oestrogen and progesterone levels before your period promote cravings for meals high in carbohydrates and sugar.
But magnesium rich foods can make a difference. Magnesium works as a natural muscle relaxant, easing menstrual pain, improving mood, reducing bloating and reducing prostaglandins, the hormone that causes period pain.
Besides being a natural mood enhancer, magnesium regulates blood glucose levels better, thus, making your cravings for ‘sugary carbs’ curb.
Now magnesium is naturally found in a lot of plants, however, if your consumption of plant’s is low, you might not be getting enough magnesium, making you crave for ‘magnesium rich cacao beans (chocolates!) during periods.
After working on my own (and my clients) nutrition for years, I can say with experience that I have near to zero period cravings. And this is because my diet is naturally high in magnesium.
Here are a few foods that can help:
Below are 5 Magnesium rich foods that will help keep your period cravings at bay.
Cacao Nibs: Add them to your smoothies or even as a toping for fruit bowls. A serving of cacao nibs covers nearly 25% of your daily magnesium needs! Besides magnesium, they are also high in iron, essential fats and zinc. A much better alternative to dark chocolate.
Leafy Greens are incredibly nutritious, and most of them are high in magnesium. Kale, spinach, collard greens, turnip greens, and mustard greens are among the greens high in magnesium. A 1/2 cup cup of spinach, for example, has 20% of your daily Mag requirement. Try this challenge, start your day with a green smoothie 4/7 days a week for a month (minimum 30 grams of leafy greens and no dairy milk) and notice your cravings near to none during your cycles.
Lentils, chickpeas, beans, peas, and soybeans are all legumes, which are nutritional plants. Several nutrients, including magnesium, are abundant in them. A 1 cup meal of cooked black beans, for example, has 120 mg of magnesium, which is 30 percent of the recommended daily intake.
Seeds are extremely nutritious. Magnesium is abundant in many seeds, including pumpkin, flax, sunflower and chia seeds. With 150 mg in a 1 ounce (28 gram) intake, pumpkin seeds are a particularly good source. This is equivalent to 37 percent of the RDI.
Nuts are both healthful and delicious. Almonds, cashews, and Brazil nuts are among the nuts that really are especially rich in magnesium. A 1 ounce (28 gram) portion of cashews, for example, has 20% of the RDI.
If you really want to take charge of your health, start including each of the above food groups every single day to your diet. You will be shocked at how your cycles just come and go with no pain.
Trust this helps,
Very interesting and informative… thanks