It’s 2:30pm — you’ve just had lunch about two hours ago, but your stomach is rumbling, begging you for a snack (preferably some carbs). We’ve all been there, but why OH WHY do women experience food cravings so much more frequently come perimenopause?

If you’re feeling like your appetite is suddenly through the roof, know that it’s not just you. In a five-year women’s health study which concluded in 2014, researchers found that the psychological desire to eat, as well as hunger and food consumption, all increased during the menopausal transition and remained high during postmenopausal years. While the study was small (only 94 participants), it’s still telling.

Why menopause affects appetite

Why menopause affects appetite all comes down to…surprise, surprise…hormonal changes.

• Increased ghrelin, aka our hunger hormone
• Decreased leptin, which is what promotes feelings of fullness
• Increased cortisol, the stress hormone that, in excess, can cause overeating
• Decreased estrogen and estradiol which, like leptin, typically help regulate our appetite, metabolism, and body weight

What you can do about it

We’re big proponents of intuitive eating and listening to your body when you feel hungry, but if you’re finding that your appetite changes are a bit too wonky for comfort, there are things you can do to try and reign it in.

• Focus on getting enough sleep
  Poor sleep can cause hormonal fluctuations, including increases in cortisol. Plus, because our bodies receive hunger signals from hormones such as ghrelin and leptin, a disrupted sleep cycle can lead to patterns of overeating. In fact, a study conducted by the American Heart Association found that people who slept an hour and 20 minutes less consumed 549 more calories than the control group.

Hot flashes/night sweats keeping you up? Here’s what you can do about it.

• Don’t fear the healthy fats!
  Diversify your diet with a wide range of whole, nutrient-dense foods that increase satiety, especially veggies, whole grains, and healthy, high-fat foods (e.g., olive oil, avocados, nuts like almonds and walnuts, and fatty fish).
• Increase your intake of organic whole soy products and flaxseed
  Both of which boast mild estrogenic effects.

Interested in diving deeper into weight gain, one of the most common menopause symptoms? We’ve got you covered:
 

• Elektra’s Full Guide to Weight Management and Menopause
  Including the low-down on insulin (aka blood sugar) resistance, “calories in” vs “calories out” theory, why supplements are *not* recommended for weight loss, and more.
• Elektra’s Full Guide to Bloating During Menopause
  As one of the more common symptoms of menopause, bloating usually boils down to gastrointestinal (GI) issues that many of us are already familiar with during PMS but that pop up with more frequency around this time of our life.
• Yes, “Menopause Belly” is Normal. Here’s What You Can Do About It
  Including our favorite strength training workouts to boost muscle mass, plus aerobic forms of physical activity to get your sweat on!
• The 101 On Intermittent Fasting During Menopause
  What it is, how it helps (for weight loss/healthy weight management, sleep, and mental health), and how to begin.