These 5 easy tricks will silence your period cravings like a boss

Do you find yourself ordering pizza, fries, or stocking up on chocolate a couple of days before Aunt Flo shows up? Period cravings are a real thing but mostly, they include all sorts of unhealthy stuff that doesn’t quite help us in any way. Hence, it’s time to prepare tricks to outsmart your period cravings. 

But before we begin the plotting, let’s figure out the reason we crave for junk food while we’re chumming. In a 2011 study, researchers found that progesterone, a hormone that is responsible for regulating our menstrual cycle, is equally responsible for a bigger appetite during and after periods.  

Now that you know you have no one else but progesterone to blame for the whole tub of ice cream you’ve been devouring, you need a plan to stay two steps ahead of it. 

Here are 5 ways you can certainly outsmart your period craving:

1. It’s time to carb it up but in a healthy style
The chocolate-filled donut might qualify as carbs but is it the sort your body needs? Well, researches say, ‘no!’ The refined sugar in them will do you no good. It can make you feel better because of serotonin but also make you feel sluggish in the longer run.

What to do then? Opt for slow-release carbohydrates that will give you the same carby feels, minus the junk ofcourse. Just stock up on wholemeal pasta, rice, whole grain bread, vegetables to fill you up and actually make you feel better.

Also, Read: This keto mac and cheese recipe is made with gobhi and has a surprise desi twist

2. Skip skipping meals
With the period cramps leaving you in utter distress, you might choose to skip your meals. Remember what happens later though? You end up craving for junk food. Restrictive food intake actually increases your appetite.

So instead of letting yourself go hungry only to satiate your hunger with junk food, make it a point to eat on time. Have small meals throughout the day and you will actually notice your period cravings disappear.

3. The primary rule is to plan ahead, ladies
While we all would love to train our mind to do away with period cravings, the truth is they shall knock at our doors all the time. There have to be a plan of combat. Prepare the healthy alternatives well in advance.

So if you’re cravings sweet? Have fruits or smoothies. Crave a burger? Make a chickpea patty with crunchy lettuce as buns. Want french fries? Opt for sweet potato. Want ice cream? Go for frozen bananas. So, whenever PMS craving strikes, healthy yet tasty foods shall be your ammunition.

4. Break a sweat
Who knew working out can actually reduce cravings? Research suggests that working out can raise our serotonin levels and lower cortisol levels. While mood swings and stress can make us crave the comfort of unhealthy foods, exercise can help kick it away!

Exercise shall release happy hormones like endorphins, serotonin, oxytocin, and dopamine. With your elevated mood, you’re more likely to eat clean and healthy.

5. Don’t ditch your breakfast!
Latching onto a bag of chips or candy becomes more likely if your blood sugar levels are dropping.

To make sure that they remain stable, enjoy a healthy protein and whole grains breakfast to keep yourself satisfied and away from period cravings. Relish those oats, fruits, nuts, or yogurt to put your cravings into a deep slumber.

Also, Read: This nutritious oats kheer recipe will satisfy all your winter dessert cravings

So, ladies, you can definitely beat those cravings that make you eat unhealthy food by being just a little careful.