Why Do Women Crave Chocolate At Their Time Of The Month?
Blog post by Alison Dowling.
We’ve all been there. Your period is coming, and you’ve got the strongest cravings for CHOCOLATE. In fact, that’s how Zazubean began! The desire of 2 women who wanted to create a chocolate bar for PMS with actual efficacious herbs One year later, the Lunatic bar was born.
Why It Happens?
According to studies, statistically, we crave chocolate more around menstruation, based on our desire for physical and psychological comfort, as well as a physiological need for more calories and nutrients. Some of the most common premenstrual cravings include carbohydrates, salt, red meat, caffeine, sugar and chocolate. Why, though? And what does the body really need?
As we reach menstruation, both estrogen and progesterone hit peak levels. Estrogen triggers those icky feelings like irritability, sadness and overwhelm. Progesterone, on the other hand, is what makes you want to nestle up at home, wear sweatpants, put on a good movie and never leave. These feelings are representative of our hormonal peaks. Various factors can contribute to these noticeable highs and lows, but their presence and power is undeniable! When we crave chocolate, or hiding out under a blanket all day, it is our subconscious desire to counteract these extremes and get back to a feeling of more balance.
So, What Should I Eat And When?
When we’re feeling irritable, sad, or stressed out, we are more likely to crave carbohydrates and sugars because they give us a boost of serotonin. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of wellbeing and happiness. Try our Flirt bar for a raspberry, cherry, superfood hit of chocolate-y carbohydrates! The darker the chocolate, the lower the sugar. This means you get all the comforting effects without spiking blood sugar and disrupting your energy levels and sleep.
Progesterone begins to rise after ovulation. At this point, we shift into the luteal phase, and appetite naturally increases. According to studies, cravings for chocolate often occur at this time also. This could be because your body needs a boost of the nutrient, magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral that is used in over 300 biochemical reactions in the human body! Between ovulation and menstruation, our physiological needs for magnesium increase. Magnesium is a key component of steroid hormones; testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. These are hormones that rise after ovulation. Because the luteal phase lasts 14 days, you may find yourself quite depleted by the time you reach menstruation and desperately reaching for a 65% Salted Almond bar!
Cocoa beans are an excellent source of magnesium. Magnesium helps us cope with and reduce the occurrence of pesky premenstrual symptoms like cramping, constipation, insomnia, headaches, bloating, anxiety, and breast tenderness. Our minimally processed chocolate bars are a great antidote! Try the Slinky Super Dark (85% cocoa). While supplementing with magnesium is a great way to support the body in this phase of your cycle, having a bar (or three) on hand around this time is also advised! ;) Green vegetables and oats are also great options due to their high magnesium content.
Caloric needs increase around menstruation. Making sure to fill your diet with complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and lots of protein is key! If we ignore this increase in need, we are more prone to quick fixes which don’t sustain us. During the menstrual phase, we are shedding the uterine lining, of course, but also cleansing the body of various toxins, and taking time to rest and reflect. This time of release, rest and reflection can require more energy. Try our coconut sugar Buff bar. Coconut sugar is less processed than standard sugar and contains soluble fibre to slow the blood sugar spike. Zazubean chocolate will support you through all your premenstrual cravings!
Good quality, organic, dark chocolate, from a female-powered company like us, is the best for hormone-supportive consumption. Our bars are free of refined sugars and are organic, gluten-free, vegan and made with female wellbeing in mind! The best plan premenstrually is to listen to the body’s cravings (the body knows best!) while also taking good care with a healthy diet and regular physical activity.