By consuming more iron-rich foods before and during your period, you can help prevent low iron levels which can make these symptoms worse. 11 diet changes that help you fight PMS. Women approaching ovulation (Week 2) prefer a moderate amount of salt. “So when we don’t have enough, our body will push out real symptoms in order for us to seek it out.”. 4  06 of 07 Your diet is already heavy in salt. "One theory for the craving is that carbs can restore the serotonin level that has decreased, improving overall mood. Mostly, these foods are high in carbohydrate and sugar. Generally speaking, craving salt is not a sign of iron deficiency. why women crave for chocolates during periods. All rights reserved. When dehydrated, we often crave salt, since an excess of it will trigger the kidneys to retain water in the body. However, there are certain comfort foods that they indulge in during this time in response to these hormonal upheavals. Yoga for periods: 5 asanas for healthy menstrual cycle. Menstruation is a time when a woman is not only losing blood but water, electrodes; essential minerals are also being flushed out of the body. Read our. PMS is likely caused by hormonal fluctuations and how they affect chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters. When you’re under a lot of pressure, your body doesn’t just react mentally and emotionally, but physically too, and this can include cravings for salty foods.. “This can cause you to crave salt, as eating and increasing salt levels will increase blood pressure to normal levels,” Shapiro says. Sound familiar? It isn’t normal to crave foods unless you are hungry. The body needs to maintain a balance of fluids to function at its optimum. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. As you sweat, the amount of salt in your body gradually depletes. You’re experiencing premenstrual syndrome (PMS). But you’ll want to keep in mind that there is a difference between sodium loss through working out and dehydration, which we discussed above. of water. TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. These two nutrients are very important in our bodies. This is also when other PMS symptoms tend to start, like changes to … Here is what happens to your body when you are on your periods. The reason you crave salt is because of a certain hormone (anti-diuretic hormone, or ADH). So a hard spin class or run that has you dripping with sweat can decrease the level of salt in your body to a point where it needs to be replenished. This makes your retain water, which, in turn, makes your body crave salt in order to maintain your sodium balance. Food cravings are just one of the many symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, also known as PMS. However, you need to be watchful of your diet even before your periods set in, as salt craving is more prevalent as a pre-menstrual symptom. "I find that women crave carbs more than salt specifically," Dr. Edokpayi said. Craving for different foods, when you are on your period or craving before your period (one or two weeks) is a commonly observed thing among women.You crave for all the sugary and fatty foods that you usually avoid for keeping fit and healthy. Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards. Cleveland Clinic recommends cutting down on salt and increasing water intake during this time if you’re experiencing bloating, swollen hands, or tenderness in the breasts. The reason being the two hormones estrogen and progesterone that govern most of their physiological functions hit an all-time low. Salt cravings before a period is a symptom of premenstrual syndrome. Here are the details on some of the most common culprits behind salt cravings: Dehydration is a fairly common reason for many kinds of food cravings, including salt. Stephanie Greunke, a registered dietitian, explains that dehydration-related salt cravings can pop up for various reasons: There’s the obvious—like maybe you’re not drinking enough fluids, but there are also less obvious reasons, such as if you’re dealing with a stomach bug or some other illness that’s causing you to vomit. We Asked a Registered Dietitian How to Find Balance, Here's What Health Experts Have to Say About Soup Cleanses, A Dietictian Reveals Foods That Make You Retain Water and Bloat Up, This Is What Happens When You Drink a Gallon of Water a Day, Signs That Your Body Has Inflammation and What to Do About It, The Ultimate Breastfeeding Diet: What to Eat, Avoid, and Consider, Bloating After Your Workout? 9 foods that are secretly dehydrating you. If you fail to tread your cravings with moderation, you might end up gaining one to two kilos of weight by just indulging in high caloric foods. Just prior to menstruation, women tend to experience a wide range of physical, emotional and behavioral changes, especially in their 20s and 30s. Its symptoms are exclusive to the second half of the menstrual cycle. Do at least the minimum; drink eight to ten glasses of water every day. When this balance goes haywire and dehydration sets in, one can start to crave for foods that are high in salt content. During periods, usually, women complain about low appetite or even a lack of it. Taken bath salts, anxiety, numbness, tight jaw. In fact, roughly three out of four women experience some level of PMS with regularity. It sounds crazy, I know. If you're craving salt It's not specifically to do with your hormonal cycle, but if you are craving salt, Strand says it could be a symptom of adrenal fatigue . They reach out for a big bag of chips, nachos, salty savouries to comfort their cravings.