The same hormones that control your menstrual cycle also may interfere with insulin, causing a rise in blood glucose. This doesn’t affect all women: some have considerable increases in their blood glucose during a period, some find their blood glucose levels are lower, and some have no effect at all.

You may have food cravings for carbohydrates and fats shortly before your period, particularly if you experience premenstrual syndrome, or PMS. Here are some tips for minimizing these cravings:

• Eat at regular meal times to try to avoid large swings in blood glucose and to keep from overeating later.
• Eat low-fat, low-carbohydrate snacks such as vegetable sticks or a cup of unbuttered popcorn to take the edge off your appetite and minimize a rise in blood glucose.
• Try to maintain your regular exercise patterns, as exercise helps to decrease blood glucose and will also help you feel better overall.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate; they may affect your mood and make you feel edgy, which can lead to overindulgence on high-carbohydrate, high-sugar snacks.

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