During my period… am I the only one who craves ‘this kind of food’?

Many women crave sweets like chocolate and candy during their period. Why is this?

 

This is due to hormonal changes. From ovulation until just before menstruation, progesterone, a type of female hormone, gradually increases, while estrogen secretion decreases. During this time, progesterone acts to lower blood sugar levels. As the secretion of female hormones changes, the secretion of serotonin, which causes a feeling of happiness, decreases.

 

thus You may be tempted to eat carbohydrates like sweets or bread, which raise your blood sugar levels. Another reason is that eating these foods increases the body's tryptophan level, which is the precursor to serotonin. A domestic study found that 68.8% of 400 female college students increased their food intake right before their period, and the foods they most crave were sweets like chocolate, candy, cookies, and cake (74.1%).

Many women also experience rapid weight gain just before their period and then weight loss afterward.

 

This is because the body retains water due to high progesterone levels before menstruation. As progesterone levels drop and menstruation begins, the body loses water, leading to weight loss.

 

However, body fat is more likely to have increased. Progesterone inhibits lipolytic enzymes, making the body more prone to fat accumulation. Even if you eat the same amount of food, insulin sensitivity decreases, leading to more insulin secretion and fat accumulation.

 

thus You should be careful not to eat high-calorie, sweet foods or carbohydrate foods during your period, as this can lead to weight gain. When it's time for your period Drinking teas like herbal tea frequently can help reduce appetite. It helps to consciously avoid high-calorie foods.

If you want to prevent weight gain, eat high-carbohydrate foods such as chocolate and cake right before your period. It is good to eat bananas. This is because bananas contain a large amount of tryptophan, an amino acid that plays an important role in serotonin synthesis.

 

 

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Drink some herbal tea,

Banana for hunger relief

It would be helpful to bring snacks.