PMS Comfort Foods

Many of my lady clients ask, “What can I do about PMS?” Meaning, “What can I eat to shut the PMS monster up without gaining weight?”

During that hormonal time, every woman needs a little comfort food. Chocolate seems to be at the top of the list for most, while some prefer salty, crunchy foods.

Here are some PMS comfort foods that will help you through those dark days – all for under 200 calories:

· 25 calories – Hot cocoa or mocha. Make a packet of diet hot cocoa mix. If you like, mix it with your favorite coffee. Add a little sinful pleasure with a cloud of fat free Reddi Wip (5 calories per 2 Tbs.).
· 20 calories – Cocoa egg fluffs. Beat six egg whites until stiff peaks form, then add one scoop vanilla whey protein powder, 1/4 cup Nestle cocoa, and six packets of Splenda. Spoon into 12 nonstick muffin cups and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
· 65 calories – Chocolate pudding. Make sugar free, fat free pudding mix with nonfat milk. Chill then top with fat free Reddi Wip.
· 60 calories – Hershey’s chocolate sticks. Packaged in great little sticks for portion control. They come in several flavors.
· 100 calories – 100 calorie snack packs. Just about every snack comes in convenient little 100 calorie packs (Oreos, mini Doritos, Twinkie bites, etc.).
· 100 calories – Popcorn. Microwave 100 calories-per-bag popcorn that is salty, crunchy and low in fat, but high in fiber.
· 155 calories – Banana split. Slice a ripe banana and top with 2 Tbs. light chocolate syrup (Hershey’s light 50 calories per 2 Tbs.) and fat free Reddi Wip topping. (Bananas can help you relax and improve your mood!)
· 155 calories – Cocoa banana shake. In blender, combine 1 cup nonfat milk, 1/2 frozen banana, 1 Tbs. Nestle cocoa, 1 packet Splenda and blend until smooth.
· 160 calories – PB rice cake. Toast a rice cake and layer with 1 Tbs. peanut butter. Drizzle with light chocolate syrup.
· 190 calories – Sweet and salty. Mix 3 cups popped Smart Pop popcorn and 1 cup Cocoa Puffs dry cereal for a filling, crunchy snack.

Remember that these snacks are treats. You still need to eat a healthy, balanced diet that is within your calorie range.

Happy PMS-ing.