So I have been contemplating my hormones… I recently had a longer-than-normal period, with some major hunger issues before and during my period.
This got me to thinking. I understand the biological necessity of ramping up food intake post-conception, thus I understand why I am hungry between ovulating and the start of my period. I know that estrogen is an appetite suppressant, and the decrease in estrogen in the luteal phase is likely what contributes to an increase in hunger.
In me, and in many women, this takes the form of cravings for carbs. This is interesting to me. This last time around, I basically came off of keto from about day 18 of my cycle though to day 1 on the next cycle. Total weight gain, maybe 1 pound? I was WAY heavier during this period - I felt bloated and big, but I am basically back to normal now. I ate too much sugar, which wasn’t necessary, but also ate other carbs.
My musings are these: What happens if I ignore the increased hunger? What would happen if I ate more fat and protein rather than carbs? Does my body need these carbs in this phase of my cycle to maintain a healthy hormonal balance? I am aware that we can survive without carbs (thus keto!) - but as someone who has struggled with hormonal problems for decades (hypothyroid and general HPA axis dysfunction), I am beginning to wonder if I should feed my body differently in the luteal phase than when in other phases.
Thoughts? Am I crazy? Am I missing something here? Clearly I am taking a jump here - that hormone regulation is in some way determined by food intake/macro breakdown. I think this is likely, even if I don’t understand how.
