Sugar cravings are a signal, not a failure

That week-before-your-period pull toward chocolate, bread and anything sweet isn't a lack of willpower. It's your body responding to a real dip in serotonin and a real jump in insulin sensitivity.

The fastest thing that helps: pairing the sweet thing with protein and fat. A square of dark chocolate with almonds. Fruit with yoghurt. This blunts the blood-sugar spike so the crash — and the next craving — never quite arrives.

Longer term, chromium, magnesium and cinnamon quietly support the systems that manage cravings. Sleep does more than any supplement.