Why You’re Craving Chocolate on or Around Your Period
Key takeaways:
Chocolate cravings around your period might be linked to hormone changes or low magnesium levels. But there isn’t much data to support these claims.
It’s okay to enjoy chocolate during your period. If you need to limit sugar, try pre-portioning your treats or swapping chocolate for lower-sugar options like fruit.
Talk with your OB-GYN or healthcare team if you’re worried about your menstrual cycle.
Have you ever noticed that you crave chocolate around your period? It’s not just you. Studies suggest that nearly half of women crave chocolate during the week leading up to their period and while they’re on their period.
But what’s causing these cravings? Here are four possible causes.
1. Hormone changes
Your hormones naturally shift during your menstrual cycle. In the week leading up to your period (called the luteal phase), estrogen levels drop, and progesterone levels rise. These changes can mildly and temporarily affect how your body uses insulin.
Small studies show that people can be less sensitive to insulin during the luteal phase. This can lead to a bigger appetite and stronger sugar cravings.
2. Electrolyte shifts
Hormone changes during your menstrual cycle can also affect calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels. Studies suggest that magnesium levels are slightly higher during the luteal phase.
It’s not clear why these shifts happen. But magnesium helps muscles relax, including the muscles in your uterus. So, these small changes might be your body’s way of anticipating and adjusting to menstrual cramps.
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Chocolate — especially dark chocolate — is rich in magnesium. Your chocolate cravings might be your body’s way of saying it needs more magnesium before your period starts. But research is needed to confirm this relationship.
3. Mood shifts
Serotonin, a brain chemical, may slightly decrease before menstruation. This can impact your mood.
Chocolate has theobromine, which acts as a mild stimulant in your brain. When combined with chocolate’s small amount of caffeine, theobromine might give you that subtle mood lift you feel after eating this treat.
But whether chocolate truly boosts your mood during your period — or simply provides comfort — is still up for debate.
4. Self-care
Chocolate is a comforting food that just feels good to eat. If you’re feeling stressed or low during your period, you may reach for comforting foods like chocolate.
Culture also plays a role. In the U.S., the media often links menstrual periods with chocolate cravings. This might influence your decision to reach for chocolate over other types of sweets.
Not convinced? Researchers found that women born in the U.S. were twice as likely to crave chocolate during their period compared to women born outside the U.S.
So when you reach for that chocolate bar during your period, it might be part biology, part comfort, and part cultural habit.
What to eat when you’re craving chocolate on your period
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying some chocolate during your period. But if you’re looking to cut back on your chocolate intake, here are some tips to try.
Indulge mindfully
Ignoring cravings can sometimes backfire. Instead, indulge mindfully. Try setting aside small, measured amounts of chocolate to avoid overindulging. And take the time to savor your chocolate treat. Focus on the experience of eating chocolate rather than eating while distracted with screens or other activities.
Go for dark chocolate
Dark chocolate has less sugar and more antioxidants than milk chocolate, which makes it a healthier option. You can also get creative — add unsweetened cocoa powder to smoothies, yogurt, or oatmeal.
Try naturally sweet treats
Fruit has natural sugars that can help satisfy your craving for sweets during your period. Some fruits, like bananas and dates, are magnesium-rich too.
Frequently asked questions
Chocolate is a common period craving. Some people crave carbohydrates like bread and pasta. Others want meat. High-fat, calorie-dense foods like french fries and pizza are also popular cravings during this time.
Everyone’s different, but you might want to limit salty foods, which can increase bloating.
The bottom line
You might crave chocolate around your period because of hormone shifts. The evidence is a bit murky, and no single factor fully explains why these cravings happen.
Dark chocolate might help with period cramps because it has magnesium. But highly processed varieties can sometimes make you feel worse. When cravings hit, try to satisfy them mindfully with small portions of dark chocolate, healthy alternatives, or other forms of self-care.
Why trust our experts?
References
Deuster, P. A., et al. (1987). Magnesium and zinc status during the menstrual cycle. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dullo, P. J., et al. (2008). Changes in serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences.
FoodData Central. (2019). Chocolate, dark, 70-85% cacao solids. U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Hormes, J. M., et al. (2009). Perimenstrual chocolate craving. What happens after menopause? Appetite.
Hormes, J. M., et al. (2017). Does culture create craving? Evidence from the case of menstrual chocolate craving. PloS One.
Hummel, J., et al. (2023). Brain insulin action on peripheral insulin sensitivity in women depends on menstrual cycle phase. Nature Metabolism.
Kroemer, N. B. (2023). Metabolic tuning during the menstrual cycle. Nature Metabolism.
Parazzini, F., et al. (2017). Magnesium in the gynecological practice: A literature review. Magnesium Research.
Yonkers, K. A., et al. (2018). Premenstrual disorders. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Zhang, M., et al. (2024). Health benefits and mechanisms of theobromine. Journal of Functional Foods.
