why do i crave chocolate on my period

The real reason women crave chocolate during their period | Daily Mail OnlineSingaporeMental HealthPersonality Personal GrowthRelations Family LifeNeed help? Recently diagnosed? Talk to someoneCurrent So you're not a "10" anyway. But you're probably quite spectacular somehow, and definitely good enough in most areas of life. If there ever was a time to stop beating yourself up as a human being, it is now. Recent newsEsencial ReadsTrending Topics in SingaporeSearch for advice Get helpMiembrosSingapore Get help Mental health Personal growthRelations Family lifeNeed help? Recently diagnosed? Talk to someoneMagazine So you're not a "10" anyway. But you're probably quite spectacular somehow, and definitely good enough in most areas of life. If there ever was a time to stop beating yourself up as a human being, it is now. TodayNewsEssential ReadsTrending Topics in Singapore Verified by Psychology Today Why do I ruin chocolate during my period? The truth behind the relationship between PMS and chocolate cravings. Published February 18, 2014 Do you want chocolate when you are? If so, you're not alone! I've consulted the psychology professor and, Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer, to help demystify this process. Dr. Albers: Why does "that time of the month" seem to intensify chocolate cravings? Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer: Lightly less than half of American women studied in dozens of articles on reports of cravings intensifying the cravings of chocolate during the perimenstrual days (a few days before through the first day or two of menses). The other half of the women studied also experience chocolate cravings, but are not matched with their menstrual cycle. Remember, chocolate is the most anxious food reported by Americans (as if you don't already know)! Dr. Albers: So why do these women experience an increase in craving? Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer: The first obvious reason is hormonal fluctuation. and progesterone (the two main hormones released by female hens) have an impact on almost every organ system of the body: bone, skin, eyes, hair, immune activity, digestion, brain, blood, other hormonal systems and, of course, reproduction. In addition, there is a change of 3 to 6 times in the estrogen level and approximately a 4-fold change in the progesterone level within each regular menstrual cycle. Imagine your body weight changing by that proportion! However, the information already presented suggests that gonadal hormones cannot be the whole reason for the increase in craving, since only half of the women studied show this behavior. In addition, taking progesterone supplements to reduce fluctuations does not decrease craving, and perimenstrual craving is more common in American women (40 percent) than in Spanish (4 percent). However, hormonal levels vary through a menstrual cycle despite their native continent (Zellner and colleagues, , 2004). Dr. Albers: When do hormone levels change? Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer: Although each woman's monthly cycle is slightly unique, there are many similarities. Doctors and researchers 'are in each cycle on the first day of menstruation and then name four different time frames that follow:1. Menses: Assuming an egg is not fertilized, the lining of the uterus is shed in 4-7 days of bleeding. During this time estrogen and progesterone levels are low.2. Follicular phase: During the early portion of each cycle, some follicles (eggs) in the ovary begin to develop. This phase ends in ovulation. During this phase estrogen levels increase, but progesterone levels remain low.3. Ovulation: When the egg is released from the ovary to the pipe of Falopio. Estrogen levels decrease rapidly during this phase.4. Luteal phase: During this late part of the cycle, the egg moves in the uterine environment and the remaining egg sac (termined the luteum body) releases high levels of progesterone to prepare for implantation (because the increase in basal body temperature is indicated if you are trying to conceive). During this phase, progesterone and estrogen are high. If the fertilization of the egg does not occur, the hormone levels decrease and the menses begin. Dr. Albers: Do cravings mimic the hormonal pattern? Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer: Not exactly. Women who yearn for chocolate during the perimenstrual phase are experiencing this craving when both levels of estrogen and progesterone are at their lowest level, not when they are changing. Even more interesting, most women stop craving chocolate right at the beginning of menstruation (again, without hormonal change). This has led researcher Julia Hormes to conclude that chocolate craving could be a response to the bleeding stress that is coming, and that chocolate is a culturally reinforced way to deal with that stressor. Finally, 80% of women continue to report chocolate cravings, despite not having menstrual cycles or significant variability in their hormonal levels for one month (Hormes " Rozin, Appetite, 2009). Dr. Albers: If they are not hormonal changes, what is it? Amy Jo Stavnezer: In our last conversation, we discussed that chocolate craving seems to be a learned behavior. Of course, we like the mouth-meat, aroma and taste of chocolate from the first glorious bite: the high fat and high calories combination satisfies a hedonistic desire that has been essential to survival through food shortages. But throughout our lives as Americans, we also learn that chocolate is positive, matched with reward and to some extent, a culturally accepted indulgence of high fat and high calories. That pleasure leads to a release in , the main chemical substance of reward in the brain, but there is no evidence to indicate a direct or physiological hormonal cause of chocolate cravings. Yes, some women experience a level of mood disturbance (or anything that can label it), abdominal swelling, headaches or cramping around the perimenstruation and this can be enough to tax the central executive to the point where other decisions are committed. But it's probably a small overall percentage. As American women, we learn that the undesirable aspects of our periods are widely appreciated, experienced by others, and that it is good to give in a craving while we are in the midst of PMS (diagnosed or perceived). This is an interesting double standard in a culture that also teaches a very high percentage of women to restrict their consumption of high-calorie and high-fat snacks. Our culture sets the stage for cravings, in a sense, by systematically presenting the message of dietary moderation, but then providing frequent vacations and circumstances where the increased caloric intake is the norm. Experience teaches us that "that time of the month" is a set of special circumstances when given in a chocolate craving will be fulfilled with understanding instead of and. And that's a good reason to eat something so warm. Dr. Albers: Are there cross cultural differences? Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer: There have been very few intercultural studies of chocolate craving published, even though we know which other countries they eat. As reported in ConfectionaryNews.com, Switzerland, Ireland and the United Kingdom took the first points for per capita chocolate consumption in 2012. An interesting study compared American and Spanish university students. There were two findings I found telling about our relationship with chocolate here in the United States. It seems that we chose to enjoy chocolate at different times of the day, and probably for different reasons. Spanish students reported that their strongest desires for chocolate were 'after eating' and 'during exams or studying', while American students longed for chocolate 'at night'. Students were also asked to list the chocolate-holiday relationships. More than 90 percent of U.S. respondents provided a chocolate-holiday relationship, where only 50 percent of Spanish people did the same; that is clear evidence of specific cultural formation. The first three listed for the Americans were Easter, Valentine's Day and Christmas; and for the Spanish: Christmas, weekends or days of bad weather, and Easter (Osman & Sobal, Appetite, 2006). I would love to see more such studies with Swiss, Irish and English participants, as there are interesting cultural/media differences among those countries that all have a high level of acceptance to eat chocolate. Dr. Albers: So, what is the milestone for all this? Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer: The good news is that the cravings that take place around the menses are not different from those experienced any other day. They are not carried for different reasons and can be fought for all the skills you have to read Dr. Albers. Be careful, do not limit yourself to the holidays or the time of the month that our culture says is well to be pleased. Eat slowly when you choose to enjoy the chocolate, and go for a walk/running/ladder light. Exercise can decrease swelling, fatigue, and drowsiness that may arise during that time of the month. It also relieves the stress and mental fog that occurs when our cognitive burden is too high. Exercise increases the release of dopamine, endorphins (natural painkillers of your body) and epinefrine (chemical transmitter in your brain) and increases your metabolism. When you long for chocolate — around your period, after a day at work, or as a reward for a well done job — you accept it, be aware of it. Dr. Albers: Thank you, Dr. Amy Jo Stavnezer for your ideas! I have to agree with this "learned behavior" theory. I'm a great sweet person, but I don't care about chocolate. However, when that time of the month is around the corner, I suddenly have a taste for it. Specifically, for chocolate, not just sweets in general. It is quite strange that I simply come out of nowhere and you will never catch me with chocolate otherwise.i means DISAGREE with the theory of "learned behavior". I also have to disagree with the idea of learned behavior. Sometimes I want chocolate (I'm not sure it's strictly related to the period) with almonds and I thought maybe there was something in the almonds I needed. But I still yearn for good quality chocolate. I can go without it - there is no stress, emotions or discomfort that I am dealing with BUT as soon as I give myself in it I feel very different. My productivity goes up and I'm more alert and less tense. There's definitely something in chocolate that my body needs. I have also experienced this that eating chocolate for periods has some effect on the body. As mentioned in the article affects the hormonal level. Especially dark chocolates are very good for the body. For more information on menstruation, see http://www.cupissima.com.I am per-menopause, so my periods are completely erratic. For most of my life, all I longed for in the previous week was water. Now, if I notice that I have a sudden and strong craving for sugar, sometimes chocolate, even though as I clean most of the rest of the time, I know that my period will begin within 48 hours. It is unconscious, and the only remaining marker, since calendars are no longer valid. Ergo, for me this article is evidently incorrect. Huh. I'm eating chocolate while I read this, and I'm in my period. Imagine. "The female body is a complex system of hormones and feelings that we do not understand, so it must be a mental problem. Silly women. "Get out of the 1800s. I agree that this is a learned behavior. I'm not American and I live in Eastern Europe. My mother and grandmother had no chocolate cravings during the PMS or any other period of more stress. My mother preferred to eat fruits like apples and grapes, while my grandmother loved to eat salted meat. Therefore, I firmly agree that people have been conditioned to seek chocolate as "comfort food," as I do, and instead we should try to focus on healthier alternatives. I don't think it's the chocolate they want, but rather the refined suggester - how many of these women in PMS would eat bitter chocolate? My guess is not many. If it were some sugar, then any kind of sugar would. And NO, I don't like milk chocolate.. It's too sweet. I'm going for as much cocoa as possible... 86%. SATISFIES chocolate. If it were for sweetness, even sweets would work. The fruit worked... etc. Just because your mother and your grandmother went for other things, the same. When my period starts (permenopausalism doesn't go through a heater by the way) I don't feel like anything. No chocolate, nothing. There are many other 'good food' meals out there. And for a chocolic past for the TASTE, it has never been for comfort. I don't have comfortable meals. I can't even bear to eat a bite of anything if I'm down. Take your 'high and powerful' for an inch. Not all women in America love chocolate at all... either period or not. I don't agree with this article. She could be the only woman in existence who hates chocolate, but yes. In fact I don't like sweets in general; but, every month for four days, two days before and during the first two days of my period, I have to have chocolate. I found that without her I'm more irritable than the times when I get into the chocolate cookies. For the rest of my cycle and the time between I won't look at the chocolate. Me too. I almost never have a wish except one day before my period. Actually, that's how I know I'll start my period soon, it helps me prepare. I think there's some defect in the design of the investigation, we have to do more experiments to generalize Aloha Rae, you and I both. I'm not a choccie fan either. I'm not attracted to it. However, chocolate has a somewhat high level of iron in it and this is what the body is drawn as well. Look for the iron we lose with our period. And if you have to eat 50 pds from her to get what you need, the body doesn't care. He's just looking for that nutrient in any way he can get it. I always know when I'm under iron because I start looking at the chocolate that doesn't normally attract me. Thanks and aloha Meg :) I don't agree. But what do you expect from someone in the psycho field and not in the physical field? While the tests suggest that there is some kind of environmental cause for cravings (although that is also debatible because chocolate in America is different from Spanish chocolate that is different from Australian chocolate, etc.) I definitely think it's related to the period. I find that my chocolate cravings are /always/more intense when I am about to get a heavier period than usual or a period that has been delayed for some reason. I didn't like how the doctor pulled him out as a reason for women to stop seeing his figure. Most women aren't dieting and dying to eat some chocolate in the first place, and honestly, if you have friends who give you shit for eating sweets, you need to find best friends. Another album - I'm glad you mentioned the part about the chocolate craving more if your period is delayed. My periods are always a bit erratic, so chocolate cravings that happen just before them cannot be an effect of the emotional stress of my next period as suggested, because chocolate cravings are the first indication I have to be about to have a period. And I have learned to yield to the yearning, because if I don't, my period jumps, or delays until I have the opportunity to rest and eat 'excessively' for a day or two - and those delayed periods are ridiculously painful! Anecdotal to be sure, but my experience makes me believe that my body needs extra calories, or some component found in chocolate for 'jump start' my period. I imagine in cultures where chocolate is not so common/popular, cravings manifest in different ways for more culturally relevant foods that provide the same 'boost'. I'm glad to read your blog. No woman has a clean time at some point in her monthly intervals. But, 1/2 the problems we face during the duration of our periods can be solved Or I'm a weird one, or this studio didn't have enough sample size. I don't like to eat chocolate day by day. I can say that I will start my period due to the intense desire for milk chocolate one or two days before. This continues until day 3 of her. If you throw me white chocolate, I'll eat it. I only want chocolate with milk during that time of the month. My cycles are not very regular. For example, when I recorded my information today, my app told me I had 6 more days until I started (I wish). I knew I was around yesterday when I saw a bar of pod and drooling. I don't agree with this study. I am petite " luckily naturally have a high metabolism. Not "diet" but generally as good. I definitely don't feel much guilt when I let myself be pleased. I know when my period will begin because I have to eat dark chocolate. Not like milk chocolate, never. I can't stand milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is high in iron, so I am convinced that my body is preparing to lose iron and possibly other compounds found in chocolate. Other times of the month, dark chocolate is "meh" for me. I don't feel like I should have it. So there must be some biological correlation. I don't think it's psychological in my case. Publication Comment About AuthorSusan Albers, Psy.D., is a psychologist who specializes in eating problems, weight loss, body image concerns and attention. Read NextMore Popular in Singapore Get the help you need from a therapist near you – a FREE Psychology Service Today. Cities:Recent Issues

We are happy to announce our book "Chockenstein" is useful for digital download. Click here for details. Why do women start chocolate during their period? November 2, 2019 Why do women start chocolate during their period? That time of the month revolves around, and you find yourself looking for a candy bar. In addition to the many unpleasant symptoms accompanying PMS, increased cravings for sweets can get rid of your diet or health. So why do women want chocolate during their period and it's actually something bad? What causes chocolate cravings? Women tend to yearn for chocolate in . During this time, their hormones are at higher levels, triggered by an increase in insulin. Increased insulin can also lead to a drop of blood sugar. When your blood sugar is low, you will find yourself anxious for a candy bar or a piece of chocolate. Also, during this time your progesterone levels and estrogen fall, which makes you hungry. These hormones affect most of your body, and experience significant change during your regular menstrual cycle. However, they are not the only factor that leaves us anxious for chocolate. When you are PMSing, or even if you are experiencing a bad hemp, your body wants calcium, sugar and carbohydrates. These three ingredients are usually combined in chocolate. Your body isn't begging you to eat a chocolate bar, but it's asking for those ingredients. of American women experience an intensified desire for chocolate during their perimenstrual days, so you are not alone. Chocolate is already one of the most anxious foods, and it is no wonder that we want to reach it when we are not feeling our best effort. Chocolate is often combined with the feeling of bliss, so we are already prone to yearning for it when we are looking for emotional benefits as well. Is chocolate good for you during your period? Unfortunately, it may not be better to get to the chocolate every time those period cravings hit. Although you can certainly enjoy chocolate in proper moderation, over-indulation is never a good thing. Chocolate stimulant, called theobromine, can cause additional pain and make it uncomfortable. In addition, chocolate that is extremely sweet can cause you to feel more emotional than usual. When sugar, caffeine, and theobromin are mixed in larger amounts, your emotions can be easily spoiled. If you find yourself anxious for super sweet chocolate during your period, you should probably try to take it instead. Of course, you won't try as big as chocolate, but you'll give your body what you're anxious about. Dark chocolate is the exception As always, dark chocolate comes to save the day. If you choose dark chocolate with 70% cocoa or more, you can receive some benefits during your period. Dark chocolate has been found to promote, which can help with cramps and pain. It can also help reduce pain by increasing your endorphins. Dark chocolate contains omega-3 and omega-6, as well as magnesium, which can help improve your mood. You won't be suffering from a high sugar and crash like you would with super sweet chocolate. Dark chocolate can potentially as it increases its mood. There are some studies that have found that dark chocolate has the capacity in some cases. For many women, their period also produces unwanted breakdowns or worsened acne. Dark chocolate may help benefit your skin. If you feel especially fatigued during your period, dark chocolate can also help with that. There is a good amount of iron in dark chocolate, and a lack of iron is one of the common reasons that women feel tired when they are in their period. Eating dark chocolate can help compensate for the iron you lack and help you feel more energized. Conclusion If you really want to eat some super sweet chocolate while you're in your period, go ahead. Enjoying chocolate in moderation should not cause any significant side effects or worsen the symptoms of your period. However, if you are really anxious for chocolate during this time, you should start reaching 70% of dark chocolate instead. The health benefits of dark chocolate are impressive, and you do not risk getting worse or discomfort during your period. Related articles© 2021,

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