Do you eat like a horse the week before your period?

Yes, yes and yes. I literally cannot resist chocolate, cake, or other stodgy comfort food.

However, I think it's biologically 'imprinted' or something [and therefore we shouldn't try to fight it ? I remember reading some kind of diet advice a few years ago that said you should never start a diet in the run-up to your period because you'd basically fail so early on.

Body obviously needs it. Can you go for a bit of extra exercise if you're very concerned?

Yes.

And the week during.

And the two weeks inbetween.

It should just mean I'm a greedy b*stard but I'm crying hormones to anyone who comments.

x

Yes! Even after a large meal I am still ravenous and I crave chocolate and fatty things that I don't usually hanker after. I treat it as a freebie week, within reason.

Absolutely. My normal food intake doesn't touch the sides and I feel ravenous the whole time. I keep trying to tell myself it is hormones etc but at some point I always give in. Funny how a piece of cake or chocolate seems to make the hunger pangs go away ?

It's so crap, isn't it? How am I meant to lose weight if my body is making me inhale food like a 47 stone man?

I just ate a snickers ?

Yes the week before is my worst - I crave chocolate, cheese and fatty foods.

I have a solution.

Have a sex change? ?

?

A real one or a sarcastic one? We all know what you're like, I'm surprised you even responded to this thread, quite frankly.

I'm just the same. I also crave things I wouldn't desperately want normally - red meat for example, which I always like but wouldn't go out of my way for. Two days before AF arrives if I don't get steak I'd eat my own rump.

(Actually, that could be the answer....)

??

Me, me, me. My period's due and the week before last I lost 3lbs and was so pleased. And this week I've put the lot back. I'm doomed to be fat ☹️

Yup. Ravenous and could also sleep for England. [grabs sandwich and heads back to Land of Nod]

Wahhh I get this too. I purposely dont buy bread because I could easily go through a whole loaf with butter and jam. I was thinking of making toad in the hole tonight with mash - this is something I never eat usually - especially as I am not meant to eat much wheat!! (adds to the existing bloatage)

ugh.

As I'm sat here with a plate of cheese and houmous in front of me which I've been devouring for the last hour, I think I can answer in the affirmative!

God yes. I feel like mainlining carbs for about 5 days and never feel full even after a big meal.

I think you have to give in and enjoy!

For me, the question in the title of this thread could end with the word "horse" and the answer would still be yes.

I too am on a healthy eating plan, but now want a Snickers (and it's neither ladies' week nor the week before ladies' week. I just want one.)

Totally! Although it's usually a couple of days before and during most of it. I know that when I've eaten and I want to eat more and crave chocolate then I'm due on soon.

I was doing well and lost 1.5lbs last week, put on 1lb this week ? The most annoying thing is that my cycles are about every 3 weeks now rather than every 4, so I only have 2 weeks to make up for my noshing!

Aaaw feck

I generally have what most might call a 'healthy' appetite but have noticed eating more bready / stodgy stuff this week and am in fact now craving chocolate cake

I dont have periods generally as Im on micronor so can go for months without one but now youve put this thread I could be imminent

Wheres that chocolate??

This could explain why in the past couple of days I've been wanting to stuff my face at every opportunity. I've almost managed to keep myself under control but have given in to a biscuit here and there and put 1/2 lb on this week [:'(]

Noshing <snigger>

It's shit isn't it? Now I feel like I need some crisps, but I already had some. Whoever said about mainlining carbs is right, that's exactly how it feels. Have got leftover veg curry in the freezer for my dinner this evening, I'm going to need an entire bag of rice, right?

<sigh>

Rice AND Naan bread HH, im afraid. and bread and butter pudding ?

Oh yes - I inhaled a bag of crisp rolls and butter this week.

Even doing sensible things that usually work like waiting half an hour, having a drink, distraction etc don't work, I just find myself going slowly mad if I don't give in!

It's savoury this month, other months I NEED milk chocolate and in particular Galaxy chocolate even though I find it sickeningly sweet usually.

I do too, I'm not normally a chocolatey person (I know, wrong isn't it!) but I "need" chocolate the week before.

I googled and found this:

To adequately deal with this you have to understand WHY you crave during this time of the month. Get from the library a book called "When your Body gets the blues," by Marie-Annete Brown PH.D.,RN., and Jo Robinson. Or check out the website called www.bodyblues.com. The site and book deal with mild depression, however the information is useful for PMS. The book is better than the site for this question because it explains in detail what happens to women as their hormones fluctuate. In short, you crave because your serotonin drops. Unlike men, women have a harder time replenishing serotonin. Your body uses carbs to make serotonin, the brain chemical that makes you feel good and calm. Chocolate also helps with serotonin. Once you get the science, you then can use more constuctive ways improve your serotonin levels.

Some things deplete or block serotonin... some sources say aspertame, and monosodium glutamate, so avoid large amounts of these foods. The authors of this book say over exercise and stress lowers serotonin. MIT researchers say that protein in excess of 10% of your calories competes with serotonin production.

If you want your chocolate fix, try homemade cocoa made with 1/3 powdered milk, sugar and cocoa to taste (I do 1 tsp of each, but it is not strong enough for most people), is about 100 calories and you get a milk serving. If you want a carb fix, choose a whole grain, like popcorn, 100% whole-wheat bread or oatmeal. Simple carbs give you a quick boost, followed by a sudden crash, which will make you crave more. Complex carbs give you a longer-lasting supply of serotonin.

Sunlight and moderate exercise replenishes serotonin. The book authors say a 20-minute brisk walk in the sunlight is optimum (more exercise doesn't do more, too much exercise lowers serotonin). The book authors also suggest some vitamins, particulary some B vitamins and vitamin D, as well as a couple other things (is on the website). Also any activity that makes you feel successful raises serotonin.

Im sorry but brown rice and other complex carbs just won't cut the mustard lady ?

Reminds me of that Giles Coren rant about how the Times sub-editors "wrecked" his article when they changed his wording from people in Soho wondering where to "go for a nosh" to "go for nosh" and how the double-entendre was destroyed ?

Not the week before just the week of my period, since I came off the pill.

I literally ate a mars the other day and didn't taste it...add to that a bag of haribo tangys (don't usually like the damn things), 3 huge profiteroles last night plus a thai take away, god knows what the night before. My belly feels HUGE, and I canot stop.

I am ust going to write this week off each month and diet the other 3-4 weeks ? .

I am just off for a creme egg anyone else want one?

Bollox to that! I want chippy chips, Godammit ?

I also now try not to drink too much in the couple of days before as I find that I end up getting trollied way more easily and the hangover is way worse. Was discussing with best mate and she's exactly the same.

Do you eat like a horse the week before your period?