It’s that time of the month again and you are bloated, having cramps, got mood swings, headaches, fatigue, irritability, depression, crying over nothing, and on top of that, having food cravings…then read on, my tortured friend.

PMS (Pre-Menstrual Syndrome)

If your everyday life is being disturbed and if you think you might face a mental breakdown any second, then you could be pmsing. It’s the combination of symptoms that some women suffer from a week or so before their period. But you can’t always lose your temper and blame it on PMS, maybe then, you might need anger management classes.

PMS is a combination of emotional, physical, psychological, and mood disturbances that occur after a woman’s ovulation, typically ending with the onset of her menstrual flow.

Cravings

Right before your period starts, the levels of the hormones estrogen, serotonin, and cortisol in your body will shift. The body reacts by trying to balance out the hormones. For many women, these hormonal changes result in cravings. Some women crave salty foods, some sweets and some fatty foods. Cravings mean you need a fix in your nutritional status. For example, cravings for salt usually mean that the body needs more minerals. Cravings for sweets can be a sign that you need more protein.

But, here’s what craving for ‘chocolate’ actually means…

You have low blood sugar levels and high hormone levels during the early part of the menstrual cycle that causes an increase in insulin. Insulin regulates your blood glucose levels. The high level of insulin may indicate that your body could be crying out for more energy or is low in blood sugar.

Commonly, chocolate is the go-to solution which is your body’s way of trying to balance hormones. It is said that women specifically crave chocolate due to its ability to mimic serotonin and release endorphins, which may decrease depression and anxiety.

Your body needs more magnesium

One of the first signs of magnesium deficiency is muscle spasms and cramping. Magnesium is essential for our bodies to function properly; it helps boost our immune system, protects our eyes, keeps our bones strong, and our heart beating rhythmically.

A serving of dark chocolate (70% or higher) can provide about 15% of the daily recommended intake of magnesium; this percentage goes up with dark chocolate but drops to only 8% with milk chocolate.

 You need a little emotional lift

Chocolate releases serotonin which boosts our mood. Doesn’t it always? Hehe. Chocolate also contains PEA, phenethylamineome, which increases the same endorphins our bodies produce when we are in love. This automatically makes us want to go back to it and always break promises to ourselves of only having a bite.

You can actually have some chocolate and get away with it during that time of the month!

It’s ok to reward yourself with chocolate around your period. But less is more. PMS cravings and chocolate goes so well together like rain and pakoras that you don’t even have to feel guilty about it later on. Give in to those cravings, drop the food guilt. Your body needs some loving. It’s going to be okay!!