Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KKB
Poosh
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
Why You Should Elevate Your Legs for 20 Minutes a Day
Why You Should Elevate Your Legs for 20 Minutes a Day
Weird Dreams? These are the Most Common Culprits
Weird Dreams? These are the Most Common Culprits
What Is Shadow Work and How Do I Start It?
What Is Shadow Work and How Do I Start It?
What To Avoid When You’re Newly Dating Someone
What To Avoid When You’re Newly Dating Someone
3 Ways Bondage Can Bring You Closer Together
3 Ways Bondage Can Bring You Closer Together
5-Minute Wake-Up Pilates Routine
5-Minute Wake-Up Pilates Routine
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
Hot Rollers Are Back, Baby
Hot Rollers Are Back, Baby
You’re Giving Compliments Wrong
You’re Giving Compliments Wrong
How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes
How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes
We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It
We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It
How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist
How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist
Kendall’s Stylist Shares Her 5 Must-Know Fall Fashion Trends
Kendall’s Stylist Shares Her 5 Must-Know Fall Fashion Trends
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Apple Nachos Are the Perfect Fall Snack
Apple Nachos Are the Perfect Fall Snack
Stacey Bendet’s Ginger Tea Recipe 
Stacey Bendet’s Ginger Tea Recipe 
Chef K’s Vegan Churros with Vegan Chocolate Ganache
Chef K’s Vegan Churros with Vegan Chocolate Ganache
3 Minimal-Effort Recipes To Bring to a Labor Day Party
3 Minimal-Effort Recipes To Bring to a Labor Day Party
Kourt’s Favorite Egg Salad Salad
Kourt’s Favorite Egg Salad Salad
Chef K’s Mini Matcha Magpies
Chef K’s Mini Matcha Magpies
  • family
  • kourtney
Kourt’s New Weekly Tea Rotation During Her Pregnancy
Kourt’s New Weekly Tea Rotation During Her Pregnancy
Kourt’s First-Trimester Tips
Kourt’s First-Trimester Tips
5 Things To Know About Kourt’s New-ish Wellness Practice: Brain Mapping
5 Things To Know About Kourt’s New-ish Wellness Practice: Brain Mapping
Kourt’s Top Pregnancy Snacks
Kourt’s Top Pregnancy Snacks
Why Panchakarma is Kourt’s Holy Grail Detox
Why Panchakarma is Kourt’s Holy Grail Detox
How Last Weekend’s Gender Reveal Party Came Together in Less Than 48 Hours
How Last Weekend’s Gender Reveal Party Came Together in Less Than 48 Hours
What are you looking for?

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KKB
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
health

Why do I  CRAVE MEAT Before my PERIOD?

By Laura Fletcher
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @piabaroncini
@piabaroncini

In the days leading up to my period, I am ravenous. Insatiable, even.

My friends and I joke about the tell-tale signs that we’re on the cusp of menstruation. Two days out, without fail, I need a burger for lunch. Perhaps a steak later for dinner—extra salt. The day before, my mind wanders to sausage gravy, venison pie, and baked potatoes.

This is not a coincidence. Our bodies are intelligent beyond belief.

During our luteal phase, the phase after ovulation but prior to menstruation, our body is preparing for one of two scenarios: we’re pregnant or we’re about to start our period. Either scenario will require two things in spades: nutrients and minerals—particularly, iron.

Iron helps maintain healthy blood flow, volume, and even supports hormone health. It is essential to the uterine lining that sheds as a result of menstruation or becomes voluptuous to support and maintain embryo implantation and pregnancy. Because fetal development requires an abundance of iron, our bodies crave iron-rich foods. Our bodies also know that we deplete our iron stores during menstruation so we’re subconsciously proactive. Love that for us!

Heme iron, a more efficiently absorbed form of iron, is abundant in meat.

Foods high in heme iron:

  • Chicken or beef liver
  • Oysters
  • Sardines
  • Ground beef or bison
  • Venison
  • Clams
  • Lamb

We can increase absorption rates by pairing iron-rich foods with acidic foods like citrus or vinegar. For example, oysters with mignonette (a vinegar-based sauce) or ground beef in a tomato sauce (an evidence-based reason to order the spaghetti bolognese). Hold the Parmesan cheese though. Dairy impairs iron absorption.

If you’re vegetarian or pescatarian, it’s slightly more challenging to bolster your iron intake before your period. It’s likely that you’ll experience amplified irritability or fatigue, which can be combated by taking an iron supplement.

Cravings are often tools.

The luteal phase presents metabolic and hormonal changes. Our blood sugar is impacted. When we slow down and listen to our bodies, we can usually hear exactly what we need—rest, nourishment, connection, or, perhaps, disconnection.

The same applies to food cravings. Craving chocolate, for example, can signify that we’re low in another essential mineral, magnesium. We should honor these cravings as messages that we need some nutritional support.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting we eat three donuts because we’re about to start our period, and we’re craving something sweet. Instead, think of the sweet craving as a cry for complex carbs. Roast some sweet potato, pair it with some grilled chicken thighs, and see how you feel after. Have the donut for dessert, but chances are, you won’t be craving it anymore.

Laura Fletcher is the founder of Selah Fertility and author of The Grace in Grief: Healing and Hope After Miscarriage

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. The opinions and content included in the article are the views of the author only, and Poosh does not endorse or recommend any such content or information, or any product or service mentioned in the article. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article The Metabolism Hack We Learned from Ellen Pompeo
health

The Metabolism Hack We Learned from Ellen Pompeo

Go to article These Are the Most Important Supplements for Brain Health
mind

These Are the Most Important Supplements for Brain Health

Related Articles

Goes to article These Are the Most Important Supplements for Brain Health
mind

These Are the Most Important Supplements for Brain Health

Goes to article 6 Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth 
health

6 Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth 

Goes to article What’s Actually Up with Those Artificial Dyes in Food? 
health

What’s Actually Up with Those Artificial Dyes in Food? 

Goes to article I Can’t Stop Taking Lemme Glow—And My Skin, Hair, and Nails Have Never Been Better
health

I Can’t Stop Taking Lemme Glow—And My Skin, Hair, and Nails Have Never Been Better

Goes to article Ingredient Spotlight: Castor Oil 
health

Ingredient Spotlight: Castor Oil 

Goes to article I’ve Embraced the Burn Thanks to Lemme’s New Capsules
health

I’ve Embraced the Burn Thanks to Lemme’s New Capsules

Goes to article 5 Moves To Boost Metabolism in the Morning
fitness

5 Moves To Boost Metabolism in the Morning

Goes to article Healthy Ways to Keep Glucose Spikes Down During Pregnancy 
health

Healthy Ways to Keep Glucose Spikes Down During Pregnancy 

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved