You're PMS'ing and what you're craving cupcakes, salty potato chips and CHOCOLATE!!! Mood swings caused by hormonal changes, especially the drop in progesterone just before your menstrual cycle/period, definitely cause those food binge cravings. So what's a girl to do??
If you give in to the cravings, your mood plummets further, often from the calorie intake realization and the sugar that let's you down with a crash. Bloating is another common problem and the junk food and salty snacks only make that situation worse.
So here's a couple healthy suggestions of foods to help fill you up while at the same time have the extra perk of helping resolve PMS. At the very least, eat these foods before any junk food. Don't wait until you have the cravings, feed your body before the cravings get out of control. (One note, there are lots of healthy dark chocolates available today. Splurge on quality chocolate and eat it in moderation, this will be a benefit in the long run.)
Here's six great foods you must keep on hand at all times, PMS or no PMS.
1. Garbanzo beans, I love them pureed into hummus. You can also easily spice them up with a little garlic, paprika, salt, pepper and dill and melt jarlsberg cheese over them. Makes a great snack. Garbanzo's are high in magnesium, which can reduce bloating and water retention, Vitamin B6 which has been know to reduce irritability and manganese may help mood swings. Eat them hot or cold in a salad, either way they are delicious.
2. Comblex Carb's are your best friend when you're dealing with PMS symptoms. I'm talking, brown rice, oatmeal, beans and whole grain pasta. Whole grains contains the three nutrients mentioned above, magnesium, vitamin B6, and manganese. The right balance of these nutrients can help depression, irritability and as an added bonus they carry few calories for those girls watching their weight.
3. Fish – Fish is high in both omega 3's and 6 fatty acids. Small fish will have the least amount of pollutants so check out mackerel, sardines and herring. Ok, it may not be what you were craving but think outside the box. You're body will love you because it's high in oils, (good for skin and hair) and fish is also a great source of Vitamin D. Studies suggest a diet rich in vitamin D may reduce the risk of PMS by about 40 percent.
4. Nuts – Nuts are fast and easy and the natural oils help your body make the "feel good" neurotransmitters that impact mood. Throw nuts into any meal and they spice up just about everything. Walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios, cashews, pine nuts are some of my favorites.
5. Sweet potatoes and/or yams – I consider yams a goddess food for all age women. High in vitamin and minerals, yams are really the perfect food. Baking a yam is so simple, just wash it and place in oven at 350 degree's for about 45 minutes and your done. For a faster version, slice the yam into rounds with the skin on, place on a cooking sheet with a little olive oil and thyme and their done in a quick 15 minutes. (melt blue cheese or feta on top for a yummy treat.)
6. Water – Drink lots of water. Often we think we're hungry when really we are just thirsty. Staying completely hydrated helps bloating and of course fills you up so you won't want to binge on those junk foods. You can drink your water as tea, hot or cold. Add lemon or sweeteners if you need too. If you need more than just foods for your PMS try our PMS Relief tea. It's all herbs, tastes great and is guaranteed to work fast. You can drink it as a tea right when your period arrives or use a packet in the middle of the month at ovulation to help you deal with mood swings. The added benefit is the herbs in PMS Relief also help regulate your cycle. You'll be pain free, PMS free, and bloating will never bother you again.