A stereotype exists of a woman possessed by premenstrual syndrome. The PMS beast apparently takes over a woman’s body and mind during the days leading up to her monthly period that makes her act irrational, emotional, and, so the story goes, crazy for carbs and sweet treats.

I know that I have felt that “PMS pull” toward unhealthy indulgences now and again. My cravings lean toward the salty, starchy potato type goodies rather than chocolate or sugar-packed snacks.

Is the PMS munchies-monster a myth? Do we women use “that time of the month” as an excuse for a salty-or-sweet splurge? Or is there something else affecting our pre-period appetite?

Well, in one sense, you could say it’s “all in our heads”:

via Medbroadcast: PMS cravings happen for a reason. And it’s not weak willpower. One of the theories of PMS causes is that in the days leading up to a woman’s monthly menstrual cycle, hormones may cause a dip in levels of serotonin, a brain chemical responsible for mood and feelings of well-being. Women crave particular foods because their bodies seek to correct this imbalance.

So, the urge to finish off that big bowl of potato chips has some biological basis! That article goes on to explain how carbs in commonly-craved foods set off serotonin production and make us feel a little more … normal.

But that doesn’t mean we have license to go overboard. To find out which kinds of carbs will steady us and which will strap us onto “a blood sugar rollercoaster”, keep reading here …