PMS & food cravings

We all get them - those intense Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) food cravings just before your period that leave you longing for a never-ending supply of chocolate. But where do they come from?

We all get them - those intense Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) food cravings just before your period that leave you longing for a never-ending supply of chocolate. But where do they come from? Cravings can begin by eating the wrong type of food (i.e. skipping out on your fruits and vegetables). Remember, ladies, fresh fruits and vegetables fill you up with essential minerals like calcium, iron, potassium and magnesium; deep-fried fast-foods fill you out with empty calories. Which one do you think your body needs? You guessed it! Most of the plate should be covered with salads and vegetables, with only a small portion of red meat, fish or chicken and a starch. Some women even have pica (cravings for unusual things to eat such as sand, clay, chalk or even soap) and these can be harmful. Others may simply crave comfort foods or addictive alternatives like coffee, and salty or sweet foods. Try to eat healthier alternatives. Here are some examples of those typical cravings and a few alternatives you could consider:

Example: Chocolate Sweets Pudding Ice-cream Fizzy cool drinks Alternatives: Carob, raisins, cereal bars or dried cranberries Fruit like grapes, apples, mangos, watermelon or yoghurt-flavoured cashew nuts Yoghurt, fruit, fresh fruit-juice or fruity ice lollies Fruit, frozen yoghurt or ice smoothies Ice-cold water with a slice of lemon or iced tea

Example: Chips Biltong Fried chicken Hamburger Alternatives: Popcorn, pumpkin seeds, trail-pack snacks, green mielies or sweet-corn off the cob Cold meats, salad with lemon juice or light salad dressing, or vegetable sticks with a marmite or cream cheese dip Backed chicken breasts with home-made mushroom sauce Tuna fish, veggie burger, crackers with mashed avocado or hummus on a rice cake

Example: Pickles Sour sweets Alternatives: Cranberry juice Liquorice or gum

Example: Bread Doughnuts Vetkoek Muffins Cake Alternatives: Banana, rice cakes, Provita biscuits, baked beans, pita with salad or pasta with tomato and onion Fruit salad with frozen yoghurt, carrot cake muffins, pumpkin or banana fritters (lightly fried in olive oil), sesame seed bars, buttermilk rusks, muffins or pancakes