This biochemical shift can make you feel emotionally low, leading to the use of food as a coping mechanism for stress, irritability, or sadness that often accompanies the premenstrual phase. Specifically, the decrease in estrogen is linked to lower levels of leptin, the hormone that signals fullness, making it easier to feel hungry even after eating.
How to Stop Emotional Eating Before Your Period
The Hormonal Shifts Behind Increased Appetite In the luteal phase, which is the second half of your menstrual cycle, levels of both estrogen and progesterone begin to drop significantly just before menstruation begins. Energy Expenditure and Nutritional Needs Some research suggests that the body’s basal metabolic rate may increase slightly during the luteal phase, even if you are not engaging in extra physical activity.
Your body may be signaling a need for more calories to support the complex cellular processes involved in preparing for menstruation. Focusing on balanced meals that combine complex carbohydrates with protein and healthy fats can help stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce the intensity of cravings.
How to Stop Emotional Eating Before Your Period
Lower serotonin levels are often associated with cravings for carbohydrates, as foods rich in sugar and starch can temporarily boost serotonin production. As this hormone rises and then falls, it can have a calming effect on the body, but it also appears to increase the desire for high-carbohydrate and sugary foods.
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