Ever wondered why you crave chocolate when you’re on your period?
Sugar cravings seem to go into overdrive at that time of the month – you know what we’re talking about… when you feel like eating a WHOLE bar of chocolate to yourself?!
Ever wondered why you crave chocolate when you’re on your period?
Not only do we feel grumpy, lethargic and sore, but our diet tends to change when we’re on our period.
But why does this happen, and how can we stop ourselves from falling off the bandwagon? We’ve endeavoured to find out…
Scientists believe the high hormone levels during the early part of the menstrual cycle cause an increase of insulin in the body.
Insulin regulates your blood glucose levels, and the high level of insulin in your body may result in low blood sugar. And this is why most women crave something sweet, with chocolate usually being the go-to snack.
What’s more, nutritionist Samantha Gemmell tells The Healthy Mummy AUS that we also crave magnesium on our period, which is ALSO in chocolate.
“When our period hits, nutrition is usually the first thing to go out of the window, with gals cramming chocolate in like there’s no tomorrow and eating the most indulgent foods they can,” she says.
Top up your magnesium levels
Samantha urges you to put down the chocolate bar and instead reach for a cup of cocoa tea or even try adding cocoa to your smoothies or yogurt in the morning to help top up your magnesium levels.
Samantha says: “You can also increase your magnesium levels with nuts and seeds and green leafy vegetables.”
Increase your intake of ginger
Other food tips Samantha has for that time of the month is to increase ginger in your diet.
“Ginger is a natural painkiller,” she says. “Try ginger tea, add it to stir-fries and even add it to smoothies.”
Maybe our delicious 25 Minute Peanut Butter Chicken Curry will help?!
Stop bloating with potassium
Samantha also suggests eating “coconut water and bananas – as potassium is great for women who bloat up due to salt retention.”
We’ve got a heap of healthy recipes that contain coconut and bananas AS WELL as chocolate, such as our Chocolate And Banana Loaf.
Well, there you have it!
The mystery behind WHY we crave chocolate on our period…SOLVED!
If you are after a healthier chocolate-laden recipe check out our Raspberry, pistachio and coconut chocolate bark.
For MORE delicious recipes MINUS THE SUGAR download our FREE Sugar Detox Recipe and Exercise Guide here.
