[Supersub]

My weakness is chocolate or just sweet. To help this I found Creme Savers Sugar Free candies. My favorite is the chocolate & Caramel flavor. It's so good. I also tried the SF Lifesavers Butter Toffee. Ooo and the Crystal Light SF Lemonade. None of these go over 10 calories for one piece. I always keep them on hand in case of an emergency.

[Beach Patrol]

I just find it interesting that our time of month brings on so many cravings. It's weird. I mean, I can understand why we have cramps (the muscle contracting to shed the lining of the uterus) or headaches or even mood swings.... but CRAVINGS? The whole process boggles my mind, but I do understand that women are hormonally driven machines, and when the hormones are higher or lower than they need to be, everything gets all outta whack!

The day that I posted this thread, I was craving chocolate so bad, I literally went a bit over edge eating little pieces here & there. But yesterday I was "back to normal" & today, I couldn't care less if I ever saw chocolate again.

See? Weird!

[3Beans]

Another weird thing about PMS & TOM cravings is the cultural aspect. I lived in the Middle East for a while and the women there didn't know what the **** I was talking about when I said I craved chocolate before my period. They said they didn't have any unusual cravings - just fatigue and cramps and so forth.

I try to remember that when I have a craving. How much of it is learned? I wonder if I have cravings all month, but normally I brush them off, whereas around the TOM I feel like I have an excuse to indulge.

[baffled111]

Maybe that's true about the cravings, but I often feel *ravenous* in the days before I get my period. I can't seem to eat enough to feel satisfied at all--at least not without going over my maintenance calories. It's a drag!

[chick_in_the_hat]

Originally Posted by 3Beans

I've thought of getting a Mirena IUD but I haven't had any children so it's not recommended.

I have one - there was a little cramping for the first couple days...but it has been fine ever since. I haven't had kids either...

Can beat it for convenience as there is nothing to remember. I hardly have a period any more, either.

[Pallas]

I usually get the strangest cravings. One month I wanted Barbeque chicken pizza and strawberry pie. Then another time it was apple pie that I was hungry for. But I almost always crave chocolate. So I keep a lot of 100 calorie packs of different cookies and stuff around. That way I can have my chocolate without eating too many calories. I also love the 100 calorie packs of the chocolate hostess cupcakes, they are amazing!

[3Beans]

Originally Posted by chick_in_the_hat

I have one - there was a little cramping for the first couple days...but it has been fine ever since. I haven't had kids either...

Can beat it for convenience as there is nothing to remember. I hardly have a period any more, either.

Sorry I'm hijacking this thread - but it's good to hear that it's working for you. I guess things have changed since I last investigated this topic a few years ago. Then, all I kept hearing was that it was only for women who had already had kids. I'm glad that's changed!

[littlelady25]

I always crave sweet and salty things during that time of the month, I fight my salty craving by snacking on homemade popcorn, and to satisfy my sweet craving I will eat a piece of fruit. I have the strangest cravings; last month I was craving fried squid and I do not even eat squid. I also munch like crazy, especially on almonds. That time of the month drives me crazy with all of the eating and cravings.

[JayEll]

littlelady25,

And CONGRATULATIONS on your weight loss!!

Jay

[sidhe]

Originally Posted by 3Beans

Can I say "holy crap" on this site? That's even scarier than I thought.

I'm 35 and I've been on the pill 10 years now. I've been thinking that's an unsafely long time and your story has me thinking even harder. But I've tried the ring and the patch and don't like either one. I've thought of getting a Mirena IUD but I haven't had any children so it's not recommended. (Sorry if this starts any fires, but I think that's a bunch of anti-choice BS.)

Okay - getting way off topic!

Sorry if this is off-topic, I just wanted to say:

You CAN get an IUD if you haven't had kids, the issue is breaching the cervix for the first time. It's easier if you'd had kids and it HURTS (OWWWWWWWWWWWWW) to get it put in, but you CAN do it. I've got one and I've never had kids. Never intend to, either, obviously.

As for on-topic: I haven't had cravings since I completely cut out sugar and flour. I guess that's how I handle them...just avoid them from the start.