What are period cravings

Okay so period cravings are literally when your body really, really wants certain foods right before or during your period. It's super common and totally normal.

What they feel like

It's not just like, "oh, I could go for some chocolate." It's more like your body is screaming for chocolate, or chips, or pizza, or sometimes even something weird like pickles! Your brain gets super focused on getting that specific food, and it can be hard to think about anything else until you have it. You might notice these cravings pop up a few days before your period starts, and they can stick around for the first couple of days of bleeding.

Why they happen

Doctors think it has a lot to do with your hormones changing during your cycle. When your estrogen and progesterone levels go up and down, it can affect chemicals in your brain that make you feel good, like serotonin. Your body might crave things like carbs (think bread, pasta, sweets) because they can help boost those feel-good chemicals. Also, sometimes your body just needs more energy or certain nutrients, like iron, especially when you're bleeding. It's basically your body trying to tell you something!

What to do about it

It's totally fine to give in a little bit, like having that piece of chocolate you're dreaming of. But it's also good to remember that balancing it out with healthy stuff. Eating things that keep your energy steady, like fruits, veggies, and lean protein, can help keep those crazy cravings from taking over. And sometimes, just drinking more water helps because our bodies can trick us into thinking we're hungry when we're actually just thirsty. You can track your cravings and how they make you feel in the Soso app to see if there's a pattern!