That time of the mounth: food craving

Oooohhhh this time of the month, where do I begin??? Cramps, bloating, humour changes and food cravings are just few symptoms of what we can feel every months. Who didn't  think sometimes there is nothing that can stop you to eat everything you have at home.

Experts says that low levels of magnesium makes you eat all this chocolate cake but also a change in your hormones (low progesterone, high estrogen) generate a drop of sugar in our body.

I want to share some tips with you to "control" this food cravings.

1. As I told you before, magnesium is an important part at this time of the month. During their period many women experience low levels of magnesium. You can take supplements that you can buy at any pharmacy. Or if you want something more natural eat food rich in magnesium such as peanut butter (with no salt added), almonds, brown rice, beans, sunflower, seeds, dark and pure cocoa, sesam and much more.

2. 5 to 6 meals a day: eating smaller and more frequent meals helps you to avoid a drop of sugar in your metabolism, so you will stop the cravings. Try to eat every 3hrs approximately. 

3. Eat complex carbs. Eating whole grain bread, cereals, beans or vegetables will helps because your body needs some time to break them down and absorb them.

4. Eating at least 20grs of protein with your breakfast stabilize your sugar levels and keep you feeling more satisfied. For example greek yogurt with nuts, eggs or protein milk shake are good options (check my post about natural protein smoothies).

5. We also needs a lot of water for the minerals we take move through the body and effectively be used in hormonal  reactions. When  we are dehydrated we often crave salt since extra salt will trigger the kidneys to keep more water in our body. But excessive salt intake can lead to water retention and a feeling of being bloated and swollen all over your body.

6. Our body loves sun. The lack of sun reduce your  serotonine levels so your cravings and appetites increase. Even if you don't live in a sunny place try to spend time outside. Do a nice walk so you reduce the food cravings and helps with bloating. Serotonine also makes you feel happier.

My recommendations are:

Lifestyle: menstruation is nature and it have to happen so try to be relax and in love with your body. Menstruation requires a lot of energy  so its a time to give time to our body but nowadays we are too busy thats why we have to do an extra effort to stay relaxed.

Permission: sometimes its okay to allowed us to eat something we are craving for. So if you want a piece of this chocolate cake you saw this morning at the bakery shop go ahead and eat it! But eat in a mindful way thats the only requirement. If you are present we the food you are craving you will feel satisfied with less.

I hope this tips helps with when you get to this time of the month.

See you next time.

                      XOXO.