HEALTH

Tons of girls get tough-to-resist craving during their period (ugh). And who hasn't downed a double serving of Ben 'n' Jerry's or a bunch of brownies during those moments, only to feel even worse when the snack sesh is over (bloated, guilty and...yep, kinda like a chunky monkey). 

The good news is, there might be an explanation for that “fat” feeling you get. As in, your mind may be tricking you. Seriously. A new study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders shows that the fluctuations in hormones while you have your period could lead to a feeling of guilt about your intake of food. We all kind of thought emotional eating and periods went hand-in-hand, and now research proved it. After a period-induced binge, our minds make us feel self-conscious and the big F word. Not cool.

Britny Hildebrandt, a co-author of the study, told The Huffington Post "You're consuming larger amounts of food, eating in a way that's not necessarily typical for you on a day-to-day basis or even meal-to-meal, which might be boosting this preoccupation with weight.”

OK, so not every girl overeats or feels bloated during every period (luckies). The study is just sayin' that it’s possible to feel this way based on how our minds and bodies are wired. 

So don't fret. On the bright side, there are totally natch ways out there that can help ya nix a bad case of the "blahs". Next time you are about to get your period, try eating a banana, or maybe even some walnuts and beans. These foods have been known to help cure pesky cramps and eliminate that yucky bloating feeling that ultimately leaves you feeling five pounds heavier.

check these out!

• 10 things every girl should always have in her bag
• Accepting your acne: Real girls open up about their skincare struggles
• Foods to eat for a flawless complexion
• 8 ways to give your phone a spring cleaning

you might like these

• Try these beginner-friendly workouts to start your spring off right
• Is TikTok good or bad for teen mental health?
• We're ditching the "summer body" mindset
• Everything you need to know about the hot girl walk