During 'that time of the month,' foods can influence cravings, premenstrual syndrome symptoms such as cramps and can even play a role in the arrival, or absence, of periods.

Human Environmental Studies Professor Leslie Hildebrandt said one of the main contributors in the regulation of periods is a consistent diet. She says that it is crucial for women to eat a balanced diet with enough fat and calories.

"If someone is skipping their periods, it's important to look at what they’re eating. It could be something else, but the logical option is that if someone isn’t eating enough, they would miss a period; their diet wouldn't be prepared to support another life anyway,” Hildebrandt said. "Menstrual cycles are highly influenced by the amount of energy and fat women eat."

Other contributors to the regulation of periods include disease and over-exercising. Hildebrandt, who has worked with professional athletes, said even the healthiest people can still have irregular periods because of an excessive amount of exercise.

"I have worked with some professional athletes whose eating practices were perfect, but, because they were training so much, their menstrual cycle would stop," Hildebrandt said.

A healthy diet isn't just important for the regulation of periods. Hildebrandt said bone fractures in athletes were correlated with irregular menstruation.

"We have found that there is a correlation between bone fractures and missed periods," Hildebrandt said.

For women who are about to start their period, the craving of foods they wouldn't normally eat is common.

Central Michigan University student Jessica Sharkey said that when she is about to start her period, she craves chocolate more so than when she isn't menstruating.

"I crave chocolate when I'm about to start my period," the Sterling Heights sophomore said. "I do eat chocolate, but I eat more of it and crave it more around this time."

Clinton Township freshman Christina Fisher said she craves unhealthy foods around the time she is supposed to start menstruating.

"I would say around that time I crave less healthy foods, like chocolate, ice cream and French fries. I also want to drink more pop," Fisher said.

Fisher said when she isn't on her period, she doesn't enjoy eating greasy, unhealthy foods but that, when she is about to start, she can feel the cravings come on.

"When I’m not on it, I like drinking water and eating healthier because I don’t like greasy foods. When I'm about to start, though, I can just feel it. If I'm in the cafeteria, I’ll choose unhealthy things,” Fisher said.

Fisher also contributes some of her premenstrual syndrome symptoms to the greasy foods.

Hildebrandt said foods high in sodium have been linked to cramps and other PMS symptoms. By hydrating and keeping sodium levels at a minimum, PMS symptoms can be alleviated.

Foods with potassium, such as bananas, have been linked to help in alleviating skeletal muscle cramping, Hildebrant said. But there is no definitive data that supports that these types of foods help with cramps due to menstruation.

"Women are much more uncomfortable and suffer from cramps more severely (when menstruating) if they eat a high sodium diet. If they hydrate and keep sodium levels low, they are much more comfortable during this time,” Hildebrandt said.