That said, I’ve noticed that at certain points in my monthly hormone cycle, I’m more tolerant to carbohydrates than others. (In other words: I’m less likely to get sleepy or bloated after eating a croissant or some oatmeal.) I also crave them more during certain times of the month, which I think most women can relate to. Sounds pretty simple right? Actually, not so much. According to Stephanie Gray, DNP, MS, ARNP., a functional medicine expert and women’s health specialist, even though you might be less insulin resistant during the first half of your cycle, you probably need more calories in the second half of your cycle, known as the luteal phase. “Think of it this way: Your body is under higher demands with ovulation, and your ovaries are working to spit out more hormones, specifically progesterone. Some may argue you need more calories in general during these weeks, including more amino acids, more healthy fats, and yes, even more carbs.” The luteal phase is when estrogens are lower and progesterone is higher, so you are also likely to be hungry. And studies report that we tend to eat more calories (anywhere from 90 to 500 more per day) during this phase. If this sounds like it might apply to you, it’s a good idea to talk to an integrative or functional medicine doctor to figure out what else might be going on or to get a personalized dietary and lifestyle plan to combat these cravings and get your hormones back in balance.
