Increased need for Carbohydrates just before and during menstruation...
I have noticed that over the years during my blessed monthlies my "cravings" for certain foods would increase, now you won't see me using the word "cravings" beyond this post because I have now learnt that it is just a fancy name for hunger and I would rather not confuse the two.
To no suprise when I was eating a cooked food diet, all the foods that I was hungry for at this time were consistently high calorie carbohydrate based foods (carbs being the bodies preferred fuel) like cakes, pasta, rice, bread (oh yeh lots of bread like a loaf at a time regularly!), lollies and other sugary snacks. I would indulge in large quantities of these foods, stuffing them down like some sort of out drug addict getting my last hit, I would sit there afterwards holding my bloated belly thinking "wow I just have no discipline whatsoever, why am I so hungry all of a sudden!".
I now know that disciplining ourselves not to eat when our bodies are obviously communicating a need for more fuel is totally misguided, unproductive and potentially dangerous. Of course eating the correct foods to fill this void is essential, fruit fits the bill perfectly.
I have pinpointed that during the week and a half before my monthlies and during my period, for about 14days (I'll call it the "window") my appetite increases considerably and I usually satisfy my hunger with lots of extra fruit but this time I got distracted (by the net of all things!) and under ate quite badly. As a result I ended up downing some salt-free fatty flax crackers with avocado...being a poor source of carbs this does not come close to meeting my bodies request for more carbohydrates so the "cravings"(hunger) continued until I consistently focused on getting enough fruit over the course of a few days (DateOrade to the rescue!)
So this is the risk we ladies face if we undereat particularly during this "window" . An upset digestive system commonly experienced by womyn during their period can also easily be linked to poor food choices around that time rather than hormonal disturbances. The chance of reaching for high calorie cooked foods or high fat raw foods will increase dramatically therefore a conscious fruit-eating effort is needed, mark it in your diaries ladies and be prepared!
Assuming you are already following a high fruit, low fat raw vegan lifestyle I suggest you aim to increase your fruit intake at least another 500-1000 calories each day with particular focus on mono meals of high calorie foods like bananas and dates during this time rather then try to recreate cooked food with complicated low calorie gourmet raw recipes like pasta's etc, these dishes will not provide the carbohydrate-hit your body particularly needs during this time.
We must remember a lot of complex hormonal processes are taking place within our bodies during this "window" before we finally receive from the menstruation goddesses... so it makes perfect sense - when the body is working harder it is also churning through more fuel, particularly carbohydrates but instead of increasing our fruit intake we generally just keep eating the same amount, then what happens? Blood sugar levels drop because we are undernourished, we start to take things personally, feel irritable, emotional, angry, unappreciated, depressed, lethargic, intense, hungry....feelings which womyn regularly experience around their period, all symptoms of an undercarbed bodymind,
The more carbed up I am during this time and the less overtly fatty foods I eat the more light and painless my periods are!
This is another "Eat more fruit" message proudly brought to you by Freelee X
P.S- Please remember that when you are losing blood, you are losing water as well, so your water needs will increase, ensure your hydrated by always checking your pee to see if its clear, aim for at least 8 clear pees a day :-)
P.S- Please remember that when you are losing blood, you are losing water as well, so your water needs will increase, ensure your hydrated by always checking your pee to see if its clear, aim for at least 8 clear pees a day :-)
Replies
what is I do not menstruate anymore.. but I think I ovulate, sometimes I get hungrier at some times of the month
Thank you Freelee for this post. Carb reminders are always nice.. lol :P
I definitely crave fattier foods and sometimes salty foods about a week before my period. If I eat more fruit monomeals these cravings go away (provided that I have not yet given into them). I have been raw vegan for a few years and only get my menstrual cycle once every couple months which is very short (about three days) and light. However, I still experience bloating -depending on the month it is one day or one week of bloating...maybe if I drank more water than usual this would change? hmmm...
Any suggestions on what to tell friends/ fam who are concerned with the absence of a period?
I will say that I guess I'm still transitioning to 100% lfrv, since I have had some slips here and there with cooked vegan stuff :(......but the high fruit, vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, soy-free thing makes a big, big difference. Wow.
This is very interesting.
I am curious to see how the high-fruit, low fat influences my menstruation and hormonal flux..
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