Hi. Totally new to this forum, and relatively new to Keto. I started around mid February this year, but it was a gradual progression…reduced carb to low carb/ high protein to keto. I’ve lost 18 lbs so far, but, I’ve hit a snag every period so far. First one I totally cheated, and literally ate a box of chocolates (like 15-20 chocolates one after the other). Ironically this seemed to give me a kick start after a stall. Second one I felt like my iron tanked (I’ve been anemic before), so I upped what works best for me, beef. Pretty sure it was too much protien kicked me out of keto. So now, I’ve endured a week of keto flu again, back to tracking everything I put in my mouth and hoping the same thing doesnt happen again in a couple weeks. Any ideas on how to survive the monthly (and the crazy chocolate cravings), as well a powered vitamin supplement that may help keep iron levels up? I use a vegan protein powder (chose this one specifically for the higher iron in it) at least once/ day with tumeric and flax, usually mid morning.
Keto, female monthly & anemia
@Angiek, welcome to the forum and welcome to keto!! 
In order to help you with good recommendations, can you provide a typical day of foods you eat in your meals and snacks? Also…Describe which meals and snacking times are typical for you. This will help us help you.
Thank you.
When I first started the usual was doing 2 Shakes, (one with added turmeric, flax, hemp seeds, coconut oil and energy greens plus and sometimes strawberries or raspberries, the other plain). The protein shake has 19 protein and 2 net carbs and “35% daily recommended” iron each, not including added ingredients. Then a dinner with a protein and a low carb veg with coconut oil and/ or cheese. Snacks were cheese, cold cuts, small amounts of nuts/ seeds like pumpkin, whisps/ cheese crisps and coconut muffins (I love those things). I started getting bored with the selection so I dropped one shake and started getting more creative with snacks. As well I added coconut oil and heavy cream to my morning coffee. An example of my typical day foods would be the coffee, a loaded shake (without berries) mid morning, snack with cheese, cucumbers and maybe pepperoni stick, maybe whisps or nuts for afternoon snack and something like chicken parm with cauliflower and spinach or a low carb beef stirfry. My daily target is 1420 for calories, 80g protien, 15 - 25g net carb (I usually aim for 15), and 100 - 110g fat.
I should mention, I’m a shift worker, so “mornings” are sometime 3 in the afternoon and I may not actually eat a full dinner, I might just snack throughout the night while a work.
My wife and I have found that our chocolate cravings are usually tied to Magnesium deficiency. Especially that “Brain …shutting down… must eat all chocolate” type of craving. She would crave it at specific points in her cycle. She now increases her supplementation when it is about that time.
Those monthly cravings are entirely hormonal, so if you can remind yourself that they aren’t ‘real,’ you may be able to resist them. Eat, but eat something on plan. Since you’re concerned about iron–eat meat.
I never think shakes are a good idea, and I know that many people say they stimulate hunger. If you are concerned about your iron levels, why not an OTC supplement?
When I donate blood (regularly), they suggest adding an iron supplement for the next few weeks, and I use an OTC for that.
Not me. When that time comes around I don’t give a f., even though I know where it comes from. If I don’t get as much food as I want, I’ll become an angry b.
I keep it keto though, so I’m thinking it at least fits into this fasting/feasting thing.
My ideas so far in terms of cravings are:
- big meals, volume via vegetables
- try to not have fatbombs around
… or accept it and make it a feasting day
Btw, what happened to the Femail section? Did I miss something? I thought they wanted more of those podcasts.
I’ve tried a few otc supplements, as well as a prescribed one. Most are horrible on my digestive, but, also I have issues with my esophagus so pills are difficult. When I was full blown anemic I had to use flora liquid, but, so expensive to use regularly and it’s probably high in carbs it’s so sweet. Having said that, I do feel like I need some extra nutrtion.
The shakes I started when I was trying high protien, and I kept going with it because it was easy, had a fair amount of nutrients and low carbs.
I kind of feel like cocoa itself has some benefits. I actually use organic cocoa powder in my shakes sometimes. Last go around I found a chocolate bar sweetened only with stevia without the stevia aftertaste. And so smooth, heavenly. But, I wonder why the insane cravings all of a sudden. I would have never sat down and ate a whole box at once before.
Yes, cacao itself is very beneficial. At least Dave Asprey says so. If it’s sugarfree, high cacao content, everythings fine. You could also mix it with other fats to stretch the natural carb content. But be conscious, once you have it around, chances are you eat it. 3 Layer KetoCandies by ZORN
There’s no definite answer to why you craved it so much. Maybe because of the Magnesium, maybe because it was available and you already knew it’s delicious? I would just observe if it repeats.
pre keto, i was a daily and often chocolate consumer…dark chocolate is good for you right? LOL
i haven’t had “regular” chocolate since going keto. i have a stockpile of it and have no cravings.
you can make keto candies (there are more recipes out there in cyberland)
without knowing your stats your intake looks low…leading to box of chocolate sessions LOL (cumulative undereating usually leads to “give me all the foods!” out of nowhere)
snacking and shakes versus full meals spaced out could also be causing you issues.
I make cocoa fat “bombs” and freeze them in 2 tablespoon servings. There are tons of recipes out there. My recipe is mainly equal parts coconut oil:butter, melty melty slowly in a glass measuring bowl in micro. Add approx. a heaping teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder for every 2 spoons of fat. A packet or two of sweetener , a drop of vanilla if you want to deepen the flavor. Stir stir stir and then pour into whatever you happen to have ice cube trays, I have a pampered chef herb freezer that’s cool (ha ha. Cool get it?)
The main thing is you can enjoy a little choco without going overboard, they are very filling, and very satisfying.
If you’re anemic, you need iron. Take a multi-vitamin with iron and eat some lovely steak!