Pms and eating.

[Carol R]

For the first few months of this WOE I was doing so well. I didnt even get strong cravings for foods. This is now my second month of these new changes in me. I have found my cravings 2 weeks prior to my period horrible and I have been caving into them. I am truly upset by this. I hate these craving with a passion and even if I think I have myself guarded with the right things to eat I turn to the junk that just happens to float in by means of my mom, my son or a neighbor. My daughter who is only 29 months doesnt eat alot of junk, I wont let her, still has a few carby things I keep for her and her only. BUT...last night after a unsatisfying meal(I have them quite often during these 14days prior to my period) I caved. I ate some Valentines chocolate that nanna and pappa gave her and the stupid Gold fish that my brought over. Now AGAIN I have to start this program all over again. I really hate it. I know this is my fault and not trying to come up with lame excuses....but I dont know what to do. This is driving me nuts and I dont want to cave in any more. One other thing to add is that I am finding myself wanting sweet or salty/crunchy things to munch on and pork rinds are not doing it. I am wondering what else I might be able to subsitute to eat or maybe some of you have gone through this and can share what you may eat during this time?

Can anyone help a poor girl out here!?

Blessings,

Carol

[Tara]

Carol
I feel your pain. No matter how on plan I am staying, PMS time is infinitely more difficult to stay on track.
A few questions: What daily carb level are you up to currently? Are you still in ketosis? Are you eating enough, in general? By enough, I mean enough protein, fat, and veggie carbs. Are you using any LC convenience foods, and if so, which ones? Maybe even post a few days' worth of menus; you may be inadvertently eating stuff that helps to intensify the cravings. Are you on Atkins? If so, are you in induction or OWL? Are you drinking at least 3L-4L of water per day? Taking any supplements?

As for salty, crunchy snacks, if you are done w/induction, how about a serving of smoked almonds (MMM). You could cut LC tortillas into triangles and bake or fry em up for a crunchy treat -- add your favorite seasonings. I like to make my own peanut butter in my food processor: Add dry roasted, unsalted peanuts, peanut oil in small increments, and process till it's a consistency you like. Then I spread it in celery ribs. Cream cheese and celery are good, too. Season up a slice of cheese and fry it up till crisp like a cracker. Or.. BrightLady's Low Carb Cheesy Cracker Biscuit Thingeys

Cravings tend to feed on themselves. By this I mean the more you feed a craving, the worse it will be and the longer the cravings will last. I have a hard time during PMS too. The difference for me, I have found, is if I'm eating the way I should (whole foods, very little convenience foods, eating enough veggies, fat and protein) I *think* about cravings but have little difficulty resisting. However, if I am even a little off-plan, the cravings are a bear and I have a very difficult time resisting. I hope this 'book' I wrote helps!

"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." - Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
My Birthday Goal: Size 14

[Carol R]

Tara thanks so much for your reply.

I have tried to keep my carb level at anywhere from 25-35. Sometimes I am doing well and others I get kicked out of ketosis. I havent been keeping track. I know that is a bad thing. Not sure why I stopped. I think when I got the flu and pneumonia in Dec I lost the habit of doing it. I kept track in my mind and boy thats not good. I was eating very little breakfast as I get up at 8am and have my coffee. I dont like to eat that early and take some supplements that require you not to eat for an hour. Then I get Rachel something to eat and hop in the shower and do my makeup. By that time its 10:30 and to close to lunch time so I sometimes dont bother. I try to get up earlier but I have insomnia and get my best sleep around 4am to be woken at 5:15am by dhs alarm. Its a never ending story. Here is a typical menue

8am coffee. usually a mix of decaf and reg with cream. Maybe a total of 4-5 T of cream. Stevia

9:30ish I take my ACV

10-11ish maybe a couple of eggs with butter or a piece of meat or sometimes I dont eat until lunch when I am making something for my daughter. I know I should eat but I am not to hungry. I try to eat and take my VCO at that time too.

12-1pm. Lunch is usuall left over dinner which is a piece of chicken, hamburg, ham rollups and some veg if I have them ready. I need to be more aware to have veggies made up on hand. Funny thing..I usually make sure my hubby eats well but forget myself. I truly do try to eat right.

3-4 I have some Kefir and take my other supplements

5-6 I have dinner which seems to be my best meal. I make a chicken, beef or pork different ways and always include my veggie. I will have all 3 cups worth at times. I know this is not right by any means and I have to do this all over. I am not sure why all these slip ups but they are there.

I drink probably around 60oz of water a day give or take more. I have a hard time drinking my water when its so cold out. I even keep it on the counter to warm a bit.

My snack is usually the Ch.fluff. 1/2 cup worth. I seem to want to snack on crunchy stuff so the creamy fluff is not doing it for me. It use to but not any more. During the holidays I tried lc fudge at 2 carbs a piece. That could of done it not sure. I have pork rinds yet those I think cause me to swell up a bit with the salt. I take a lot of supplements for many health reasons and looking at them all I dont see the fillers that would cause the carb counts to go up. I am very sensitive to many ingerediants so have to be careful of fillers.

I have this post kept so I can look back on it after Rachel is down for her nap. Today isnt a good day. Good old Aunt Flow is going to start and I am feeling pretty yucky. Typical headache, cramps, nausea and just blah ya know? I am so glad you posted to me. At first i as reluctent to post. I feel funny posting about my "problems" yet I know this forum is for the good and to help ppl. Maybe I just need to start all over??? I would love some help.

Blessings,

Carol

[Tara]

The first thing on your menu that stuck out, to me, was not enough veggies...but you pretty much admitted that, anyway. You already mentioned that you know you haven't been keeping close track of carb counts...that guesstimating will getcha every time! I would suggest committing to 1 week of faithful tracking of everything you put in your mouth, and also note when you're in - or out of - ketosis. Maybe you can attribute your carbs creeping up to knocking you out of ketosis, which will allow the cravings to return. I know the water is hard to drink during these cold months, but shoot for 100 oz. I actually fill a liter bottle 4x per day, and when I'm chilly, I fill it with warm water, which then cools to room temp as I drink it. Read this, too: 5 veggies a day the lc way
hope this helps

"Do, or do not. There is no 'try'." - Yoda ('The Empire Strikes Back')
Start Atkins 9.1.03
225/198/130ish
My Birthday Goal: Size 14