Continued from PMS Weight Gain.

You know that you crave certain foods when you are PMSing. So what can you do about it? Is there such a thing as PMS food? Well, sort of. Here is what should be on your PMS food list to satisfy preperiod hunger and cravings.

To curtail cramps Consume calcium plus vitamin D. Premenstrual deficiencies in these two nutrients may cause painful muscle cramps. Your daily goal is to take in about 1,200 mg of calcium and 400 international units of vitamin D. Work foods like Whole Grain Total cereal (¾ cup contains 1,000 mg calcium and 40 IU vitamin D) and fortified skim milk (302 mg calcium and 98 IU vitamin D per cup) into your diet.

To quiet cravings Reach for healthy whole-grain carbohydrates. They activate production of serotonin, a mood-lifting brain chemical that is in low supply during your preperiod week – which may account for those cravings for carb-loaded goodies.

Avoid the siren song of sweets, including doughnuts, cakes and cookies: Munch on popcorn or whole-grain crackers for relief without the extra calories.