Normal to be SO hungry when on your cycle?

[Brittany Long]

I am always so tired when my cycle comes around and I notice this is when I binge eat and drink a lot of caffeine. I made the mistake of having coffee two days in a row and then I switched to tea today. But I am super hungry and tired. I had to have a snack. Didn't think I'd make it! I had strawberries, an apple banana, walnuts, and unsweetened shredded coconut. Any tips?? I was doing really well!

 

[Khhdesign]

I am always hungry the first few days of my cycle. If I need a snack I have one, but I make sure it's a mini meal not my usual chocolate/sugar/overdose of nuts and dried fruit;)

[GFChris]

Up your carb dense veggies at your meals, especially at this time of the month.

 

When you are hungry between meals, have a mini meal including a protein and fat. Save your fruit to have with or immediately after your main meals only.

[Karen]

Your body needs carbs. Reach for starchy veg. I find if I plan ahead and up them prior to being downright starving, I do much better.

Those cravings are instinctual - your body NEEDS more energy just prior to your period. Listen to instinct in a complaint way.

[Brittany Long]

Thanks everyone! I may have to just include fruit once a day because I notice I have been reaching for it more but I've made it this far! I have been eating a lot of sweet potato and now I know why!

[Skepticallytrying]

That's exactly me, Brittany... I gotta schedule at least one fruit in my day, plus a starchy veg like a sweet potato (usually at dinner), to deal with my mad cravings, especially right before my period... I indulge with roasted, sautéed or baked sweet potatoes!!! Yummy!!!

[AllyB]

Try some baked plantain chips with a little coconut oil on them.  Really tasty and helps with the carb needs.  I crave them right before I start. Usually 1/2 - 1 plantain (worth of chips) will do the trick.  I hate having the craving to begin with, but the plantain solution is much better than the bag of peanut butter M&Ms solution I used to have.

[megalinity!]

I get that way too! I want to eat ALL the things. And I usually do. I've found that with Whole30, I eat more starchy veg (ALL the sweet potato) at meals and it keeps me satisfied longer. And, when I need a snack, or an emergency mini-meal, I have these compliant meat sticks (Nick's Sticks) and some kind of fat. Sometimes I also have a Larabar, but I keep those to a minimum because they're so sweet. 

 

I've found that keeping a baggie of shredded sweet potato in my fridge makes it much easier to get starchy veg in when I don't feel like taking the time to cut up sweet potato. It keeps for about a week (though it never lasts that long).

 

These snacks are way better than the chocolate, ice cream, and cookies I used to reach for!! 

[Brittany Long]

Thank you ladies!!!! The thing is I am still breastfeeding my 20 month old and I was a week late which sometimes happens with breastfeeding so I wasn't expecting it. But if it stays on track I will be sure to add in those starchy veggies!

[Brittany Long]

Also I will have to make those plantain chips next time too! I did well with less fruit today as I was having too many cravings with them. Also is swollen feet a bad sign? Maybe too much sodium?