Your body is going through major hormonal crisis during that time of the month. We get fatigued, bloated, in a bad mood etc. Your body's response to that is to trigger a sugar craving because sweets cause your body to release serotonin, which is a mood elevator. Mix the sugar with some fat, and now you got a mixture that causes your brain to also release endorphins, which is the body's natural pain killer (you know, because of the cramps, headaches etc). That's why, we usually crave stuff like chocolate, and ice cream (perfect mixture of fat and sugar). Refined carbs also transform into sugar. So yes, you will be a carb craving monster.

 

So yes, it is totally normal to go through that, and yes most of us face the same problem. Exersice and drinking lots of water helps. But don't wait until you are too desperate to give into the craving, because then you'll over do it. If you are craving chocolate, get a small one (like a hershey kiss or something like that). And don't just scarf it down. Let melt in your mouth. Savor it until the last minute. That will take the edge off, and give your body some time to asimilate the sugar you just consumed.

 

If is salty snacks you are craving, you can buy those bite size pita breads ( I think they are called pitetes) brush them with a little olive oil and sprinkle them with some salt, or some garlic salt, for extra flavor. Then put them in the over to get them nice and toasty.  That way you satisfy the craving, but still keep it on the healthy side.

And don't feel guilty if you need something bigger than a hershey kiss. I myself have a reeses peanut butter cup. I buy the two pack and give one to my sister. That way I'm not tempted to eat them both. It is only once a month, so it won't kill you.

 

I have the problem of just being ravenously hungry in general at this time of month, though.  It's almost like it doesn't matter what I'm eating, as long as there's always something in my mouth :-P .  I've figured out if I graze on fruits and veggies throughout the day, I can usually control the hunger without wrecking my diet too much.  The only problem with that comes on days like today, when I'm constantly hungry but no-one's gone for groceries in a while :-( .  Not happy!