Hormones are super weird! They can cause a slew of symptoms each month including, food cravings.
I'm sure many of us associate chocolate cravings with periods, but do you know why that is? There is actually scientific reasoning behind it which I will dive into later.
Maybe you crave sour or fermented foods like sauerkraut or pickles. I often crave these during my follicular and luteal phases.
Other popular cravings are salty foods, sweets, spicy foods, carbs, etc. And each of these can be associated with specific phases of your cycle!
Let's dive into each of these popular cravings and how our hormones play a role in them.
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Chocolate
I absolutely love chocolate and I am sure many of you do too. A lot of studies suggest that we crave chocolate before and during our periods due to the changing levels of estrogen and progesterone. Some studies suggest we crave it due to ingredients in chocolate that actually alleviate PMS symptoms. Studies have suggested that it is actually dark chocolate that has the most benefits when it comes to relieving PMS symptoms, such as cramps. It is suggested that you consume 40-120 grams of dark chocolate during your period to relieve cramping. So there may actually be a reason why you are craving chocolate during your period, just make sure you opt for dark chocolate to get max benefits!
My favorite options our TruFru and Phasey
Sour or Fermented Foods
Your body may crave sour, pickled, or fermented foods during your follicular and/or luteal phase. This is due to your hormones drastically changing during these phases, which can cause digestive upset. In your follicular phase, your body may need prebiotic and probiotic foods to help with low metabolism. In your luteal phase, metabolism speeds up, which for some means very quick digestion and upset tummies. That is why it is important to incorporate prebiotic and probiotic foods into your diet.
Salty Foods
There is varying information regarding salty cravings during the luteal phase. Some studies suggest it is due to your hormones changing after ovulation, while others say it is just coincidental and has nothing to do with hormones.
When you crave salty foods, your body may actually be telling you that it needs certain minerals. I would suggest adding a small amount of sea salt to your water and eating sea vegetables to counteract this craving.
Remember to drink plenty of water when consuming mineral-rich foods!
Sweets
Your body is working hard when you are menstruating, and this can cause you to feel exhausted. You may even crave a sweet treat to give you some energy. I say, give in to this craving, you deserve a sweet treat!
If you want to decrease this craving, make sure you are eating for your cycle. Add proteins and healthy fats to your diet during your luteal phase.
I tend to opt for homemade sweet treats or dark chocolate when I am craving sweets.
Spicy Foods
I often crave spicy foods during my menstrual phase. This may be because the menstrual phase is considered "inner winter" and my body is trying to warm up inside.
I would recommend not going overboard with the spice as it can cause some digestive upset. I would suggest opting for other warming foods such as soups to counteract this craving. You can also add spices such as cinnamon to your diet during this phase.
Carbs
Craving carbs is often associated with perimenstrual (before and during menstruation). This craving is often due to the psychological changes during this phase. PMS can cause some emotional symptoms and since carbs are often a comfort food, they can actually have emotional cues when eaten during your period, making you feel happier and comfy.
You may also crave carbs for energy! Your body is working extremely hard during menstruation and may need some extra energy.
Opt for sourdough or whole wheat carbs.
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Remember, cravings are normal during each phase of your cycle. If you are worried that your cravings are abnormal, please consult your doctor or a hormonal nutrition specialist.
That being said, there are many more popular cravings out there that I did not talk about. If you have a craving I did not talk about, look it up! I am sure there is a reason why you have that craving.
Now go eat some dark chocolate!
Sources:
Can Chocolate Lessen Period Cramps?
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