PMS and Hunger: Why the Urge to Eat Increases
PMS and Hunger: Why the Urge to Eat Increases (and It's Not Fussiness)
By Vanessa Manfredini | Biomedical Scientist and Future Nutritionist
As menstruation approaches, do you get that uncontrollable urge to eat, especially sweets? 🍫 If you've ever blamed yourself for this, take a breath and read carefully. This isn't fussiness or lack of willpower: it has an explanation in your body. Come understand with me! 🌿
"The urge to eat during PMS is physiological, not a flaw in you."
What happens in your body 🌸
In the second half of your cycle, your hormones engage in a true dance. Progesterone and estrogen levels change significantly, and these variations influence everything from your mood to your hunger. In other words, there's a real biological basis behind that strong urge.
Why the craving for sweets? 🍫
Here's an interesting piece. Hormonal changes can reduce serotonin, a messenger linked to feelings of well-being. And what does the body ask for to try to quickly raise serotonin? Carbohydrates and sweets. It's not weakness; it's your body seeking comfort.
It's not fussiness, it's biology 💚
We need to say this out loud: women have spent centuries hearing they were exaggerated, dramatic, or out of control. But science shows that these changes in appetite and mood have hormonal roots. Understanding this is already a relief and an act of kindness to yourself.
How to embrace yourself during this phase 🌱
No need to punish yourself with radical diets (which, by the way, usually make everything worse). The idea is to take care of yourself with kindness:
🥩 Focus on protein and fiber: they bring satiety and help balance blood sugar.
🌾 Choose quality carbohydrates: oats, fruits, and whole grains provide comfort without the roller coaster.
🍫 No guilt: a square of chocolate is part of it. The problem was never a sweet, but rather the punishment afterward.
😴 Take care of sleep and stress: they directly influence your hunger.
"Embracing yourself during PMS is not weakness. It's understanding and respecting your body."
Did this content bring you relief? 💚
Tell me in the comments: do you feel this extra hunger during PMS? Save this post and share it with all women who have unnecessarily blamed themselves for it. Information is comfort! 🌹
With care and science, Vanessa 🌹
📚 Scientific References
Content based on literature about the menstrual cycle and appetite. Main references:
- Literature on the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and increased food intake and carbohydrate cravings.
- Studies on the relationship between serotonin, mood, and sweet cravings during PMS.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), materials on PMS and PMDD.
The information is for educational purposes and does not replace consultation with health professionals. Intense symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Science is constantly evolving.