Calories during periods?

Im not sure exactly where to post this, but it doesnt seem to fit anywhere else, so I'll post it here.

I was just wondering if Im supposed to up my caloires during my period. I always seem to get the worst cravings and 'binge' (not really, but I eat a lot of junk and go over my calories by a fair few) when I have my period.

Does anyone know whats going on? Should I add more calories into my plan during my period, or is this just a binge?

Thanks in advance!

I had the same question DarkMoon.  I get awful craving during that time of the month.  It gets to the point that I want to eat anything and everything all the time.  Not food, but junk.  I hope someone can help!

I don't think upping calories is necessary... I am sure you want to hear that "you burn more calories when you have your period", but I don't think that is true.

The cravings are caused more by hormones then actual hunger itself... like when women are pregnant they get weird urges to eat things like pickles dipped in mustard... but PREGNANT women do burn some extra calories because they need to support the growing baby...

if you must eat your cravings, then just add a little more excersise during this time...

(please note that this is just my opinion... I too would like an exact answer, because I HAVE heard before that you can eat an extra 200cal or so around your period, but I don't know if this is true, because it seems kinda 'iffy')

 

I've read several places that you burn between 200-400 extra calories in the week leading up to menstration. 

I know women lose a lot of magnesium during their periods...magnesium also happens to be located in chocolate--hence the common chocolate craving which may just be a magnesium craving. I try and eat extra broccoli which also had a lot of magnesium.

I do get more hungry, though...or it "seems" that way... 

I am not sure how to answer your ? either, but I have heard that your body does need more food for energy purposes. I would say just make sure that you are giving your body what it asks for and not under or over. Granted chocolate is what I am munching on right now, but I always get those cravings during that time of the month. I would say that if you need to, increasing your cals by a few isn't a bad idea, and it really isn't going to hurt you. Just make sure you are eating a balanced diet to balance your hormones and nurture your body at this time.

I get weird cravings but stick to my calorie limit. That way at the end of your period you can step on the scales and you'll have lost weight especially if the whole 200-400 thing is true :)

If you want to eat some junk, eat it in small portions. Don't fret.

I've read several places that you burn between 200-400 extra calories in the week leading up to menstration.

I've heard this too, and I believe it's pretty accurate. But when you really think about it, eating 200-400 extra calories in a week wouldn't make any difference in your weight. Neither would NOT eating 200-400 extra calories and just sticking to your maintenance.

I was curious too, though, so thanks for bringing up the question! :)

i probably lose about 200-400 calories from stressing about whether i have blood stains around my bum or not... j/k :)

LOL jamie... ewwwwwh :P

I up my caloric intake by about 200 calories for my period.  If I don't I am likely to walk in the kitchen and start blindly eating things because I am so hungry which is not a healthy habit to be in.

I usually go from 1 egg with breakfast to 2 (with the other usual stuff I eat) and I add on an extra snack later in the day.

Whether you lose more calories or not, your body is going through a major process and is in need of good strong nutrition.   

I have been doing well this time.  I have not pigged out, because I cleaned out all of the cabinets. LOL. 

I am going to try the broccoli, as I am a chocolate craver during my TOM.  Good suggestion, of course it is not as sweet and forbidden as a candy bar, but if it helps, I am willing to try it. 

On another note, has any one experienced extreme cramps when working out during TOM?  I tried to do one set of my exercises and I went into a pain fit.  The only thing that seems to work is walking. 

Original Post by berrywrap12:

On another note, has any one experienced extreme cramps when working out during TOM? I tried to do one set of my exercises and I went into a pain fit. The only thing that seems to work is walking.

 This has happened to me too, but I don't know why...

I'm so happy I stumbled across this forum! I've been paying close attention to what I eat, and how much I exercise....and have finally noticed that I get mad, crazy cravings the week before and during my period. At first I didn't catch the relation, I just though it was impossible for me to eat well...BUT I do eat very well for the other 2 weeks of the month...so....any advice on how to stay away from chocolate???? It doesn't seem to be anything else either....just chocolate. I can't get enough of it on a normal day, and on those days...holy I'm a chocolate eating monster!!! I do eat broccoli, but it doesn't quench the desire for chocolate.

I haven't heard about burning an extra 200 calories just as part of your daily BMR while you're on your period; what I have heard is that when you work out, you burn 30% more fat on your period (same amount of calories you usually burn, but more of it is fat instead of ....glycogen?).

My savior is chocolate pudding packs; I switch between the 100 cal no fat and the 60 cal no sugar. I will have several a day around that time of month and when I get the strange looks inhaling a chocolate pudding for breakfast I just explain "my ovaries made me do it!"  But knowing that I am not completely throwing off my calorie in take I don't get the guilty feeling...and who needs that on top of all the bloating, crying, screaming at the light-switch for no real reason....girls are crazy...but that time of month is something else....

idk, it sorda makes sense. since you get FREAKIN hungry as heck during menstruations. but then sometimes, i'm not hungry AT ALL. so idk.

LOL!! I do the same things. I don't even have a sweet tooth but I sure do when I'm on my period. I find myself eating cookies and stuff like that. I also crave salty things and I do too want to eat everything in site. I've never heard of the extra 200-400 calorie thing either but I hope it's true. I want to workout when on my periods but usually I can only do so for one of the days because I'm too tired and too much in pain to do it any other day. I envy those women who have light almost non-existent periods and who are able to workout and run just like if they weren't having a period!!

Original Post by neishaw:

 I envy those women who have light almost non-existent periods and who are able to workout and run just like if they weren't having a period!!

i'm like that, hehe.

Argh! I *hope* you do burn more calories pre-period, because I can't seem to NOT eat more. Argh. I have NO discipline when it comes to really bad sweet cravings! :( Usually, I don't even _have_ a sweet tooth, but maan, dieting and being near my period combined makes it seem like I can't HELP but eat another hershey's kiss... and some pecan sandies... and man, chocolate milk sounds GREAT (good thing I don't have the syrup...) argh.

i have never ever heard, nto even from my doctor, that it would be a good idea to eat more. my opinion is it would cause weight gain, and i am trying to lose weight. it is definitely good idea to watch for enough magnesium and iron i guess.