When the Cravings Kick In
By: Chandana Kodavatiganti // August 2026
“Oh, duh. I just started my period.”
You know the moment. You’re standing in front of the pantry, staring at everything and somehow still not finding what you want.
“Maybe peanut butter. No, cereal. Actually, something salty.”
You open a few cabinets, change your mind a couple more times, and eventually settle on that one oddly specific thing that sounds perfect. Then your period starts, and suddenly, the cravings make a little more sense.
But why does this happen? Why do certain foods suddenly sound so much better around your period?
Period cravings aren’t random. There is real physiology behind them. In the days leading up to your period, estrogen and progesterone levels shift, which can affect appetite and the signals your body uses to regulate hunger and fullness. According to the Cleveland Clinic, changes in hormones like ghrelin and leptin, which help regulate appetite, can make hunger feel more noticeable during this part of the cycle.
Your mood can play a role, too. Serotonin helps regulate mood, stress, sleep, and appetite, and its activity can change throughout the menstrual cycle. As serotonin levels dip before a period, you may feel more emotional, tired, or simply in need of a little comfort. Carbohydrates can increase the availability of tryptophan, an amino acid the body uses to produce serotonin, which help explain why foods like pasta, bread, chocolate, and sweets can be especially appealing (Garden OB/GYN).
Your body may also be using more energy during the luteal phase. Research suggests that resting metabolic rate can increase slightly during this part of the cycle, meaning your body can burn more calories even without a change in activity. That extra energy use can make you feel hungrier or reach for an extra snack. Sometimes, those cravings may simply be your body asking for more fuel (Cleveland Clinic).
Cravings don’t always look like an extra piece of chocolate, though. They can vary a lot from person to person. Here are just a few of the genius cravings people have shared on social media:
● Honey ham, cream cheese, pepperoni, pickle spear rolls
● Nutella with tortilla chips
● Cooked pasta shells stuffed with M&Ms
● The spiciest bowl of Buldak noodles
● Ritz crackers and dates sprinkled over vanilla ice cream
Sources:
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/period-cravingshttps://www.gardenobgyn.com/blog/why-do-women-get-pms-food-cravings#how-do-hormones-a
nd-serotonin-drive-cravings
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8n5w6YQ/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8naL6wD/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8n5oh6w/