Us girls know the feeling all too well: having a huge craving for tasty (and unhealthy) food while you are on your period or about to get your period. We sometimes use it as an excuse to eat a delicious burger instead of your standard ‘avg’, but why are we actually hungrier during our monthly period?
Also read: The five types of stomach ache (+ solutions!)
More cravings during your period
Women who experience more feelings of hunger during their menstruation know that this is just the way it is and there is very little you can do to change it. But why do you actually feel more hungry when you have your period? We looked it up for you.
No matter how healthy we try to eat on a daily basis, when those menstrual cravings kick in, there seems to be no turning back. We can eat those chocolates or fries as if our lives depend on it. When you give in to your feelings you may feel guilty afterwards, but that is completely unnecessary! It is very normal to be hungry during your period.
Food, food, food
The reason you feel more hungry in the days before and during your period is because your progesterone hormone is more dominant at this time of your cycle, while your estrogen levels decrease. These fluctuations often also make you feel sleepier and have more mood swings.
When your body prepares for the upcoming period, the uterine lining builds up. This is the period when your body uses a lot of energy for this and you therefore need more food to maintain normal levels and build up the uterine lining. This in turn results in a need for more fat and carbohydrates, aka more (unhealthy) food.
Healthy food
Before and during your period you have more cravings for fatty things. A trip to the snack bar may be exactly what you’re longing for, but it’s not very healthy… Especially if these feelings last all week. You then find yourself in a bit of a conflict with yourself, because on the one hand it is better to eat healthy, but on the other hand you also long for something that is less healthy. The best thing you can do for yourself is to listen to your body in balance.
For example, have you been craving McDonald’s all week and do you really want to eat that Big Mac? Then agree with yourself that you will at least eat a healthy breakfast and lunch. You won’t eat as healthy for dinner, but you will remain balanced. And a cheat day once in a while isn’t a bad thing either…
