Monthly Hunger Cravings?
Stop fretting! It’s normal! Studies show that food intake increases before menstruation in women. Metabolism can jump up as well, up to 16 percent. The hormone progesterone that’s released before menstruation causes the body to heat up and expend more energy, resulting in a need for more fuel. If you’re like the average women, you consume an extra 300 calories a day in the week before your period.
How Do You Deal With PMS Food Cravings?
- Eat plenty of complex carbohydrates when you’re going through PMS. Fiber-rich, whole grain bread, pasta and cereal can help level out your blood sugar so you don’t have so many sweet cravings.
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Eat quality fats like olive oil, all-natural nut butters and nuts and seeds in every meal. These give you a feeling of satiety. A rice cake with 1 tsp. of peanut butter, for example, is better than a bag of potato chips.
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Make sure every meal or snack has some protein. An egg, fish, chicken, turkey or tofu adds something substantial so you don’t feel compelled to scrounge around for something light an hour before your next meal.
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Get plenty of calcium in your diet. Studies show that women suffering from PMS have low levels of it in the blood. Milk products, as well as broccoli, white beans and kale, are high in calcium.
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Supplement your diet with magnesium. Research has also proven that women have low levels of it in the blood during PMS. Pumpkin or sunflower seeds, cashews, most beans, peanut butter and brown rice can all help you get this.
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Eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day during this time. This helps regulate blood sugar levels so you don’t get a sudden hunger for junk food. Figure six meals with one or two items each into your day to achieve this.
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Allow yourself a treat once in a while during PMS. Completely depriving your cravings can backfire, especially if you label certain foods as forbidden. By occasionally giving yourself a break, you take away some of the attraction in these foods and some of the psychological cravings with it.
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Hope that helps! Remember, we are offering 30% off all products in specific sections of the store all week. Today, Monday, come in and receive 30% off ALL multivitamin products!
STAY HEALTHY!
