Craving Control: 4 Women Share Experiences and Tactics

Period cravings are unknown to no woman! When hormones and serotonin play with you, there's very little you can do to stay sane. Some of us feel guilty for wanting to indulge during periods, while others throw their diet for a toss during their periods.

A study published by the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) explains how changes in oestrogen and progesterone levels lead to cravings for high-carb and sweet foods before menstruation. https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.418.6

To better understand period cravings, we turned to 4 women to share their personal experiences. Here's what they had to say-

I start craving chocolates and pizza around 7-10 days before my periods. Around the same time, my PMS symptoms, such as bloating, acne and headache, also get started. Usually, my cravings go down once my period starts; however, I try not to indulge too much and rely on dark chocolate whenever I have the urge to eat sweets. Sheetal Jain, Ahmedabad, Gujrat
24 years old

I often crave carbs before my periods. But I have noticed when I eat carbs such as chips, bread or pasta to indulge, I end up feeling crappy! Further, when I eat these things, I get hungry real quick. So, instead, I eat lentils, rice, and oats. I cook them in different ways to make them tasty, and that does the trick to keep the cravings at bay.
Madhu Sapre Madgaon, Goa 37 years old

In general, I have a sweet tooth! Jumping into Willy Wonka's Chocolate River has been a childhood dream. However, when it comes to managing my sweet cravings before my periods, indulging in pastries and cheesecakes is not the way. I can't stay away from sweets, but after discussing cravings with my doctor, I have opted for smoothies, fruit yoghurts, apple slices with honey, etc.
Jennifer D'souza Jaipur, Rajasthan 31 years old

PMS is no joke! It starts with cravings and soon turns me into a moody, sobbing, and tired individual. Sometimes, dark chocolates and grilled paneer manage cravings but don't help with the mood. Hence, I go for walks, read books or watch funny movies to feel better. Distracting myself works the best. Smriti Bose Kolkata, West Bengal 40 years old

Period cravings are a common experience for many women, driven by hormonal changes in the body. While the types of cravings and their intensity can vary, it's obvious that finding the right balance and techniques to control them is key. Whether it's selecting healthier alternatives, staying active, or simply finding distractions, each woman finds her own way to navigate these cravings. Understanding and acknowledging these experiences can help in finding better ways to cope and feel better during this time.