Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Close Banner
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

This Is The Best Time In Your Cycle To Eat Carbs & Sugar

Gretchen Lidicker, M.S.
Author: Medical reviewer:
October 24, 2019
Gretchen Lidicker, M.S.
mbg Health Contributor
By Gretchen Lidicker, M.S.
mbg Health Contributor
Gretchen Lidicker earned her master’s degree in physiology with a focus on alternative medicine from Georgetown University. She is the author of “CBD Oil Everyday Secrets” and “Magnesium Everyday Secrets.”
Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz M.D.
Medical review by
Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz M.D.
Integrative OB/GYN
Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, M.D. is a nationally renowned doctor, expert, speaker, advocate for integrative women’s health and author of the book "Menopause Bootcamp". She is also the Senior Medical Advisor for Kindra, the leading direct-to-consumer sex-positive vaginal health company for women over 40. As a partner at Women’s Care of Beverly Hills, she’s performed thousands of deliveries and continues to help women transition through important phases of their lives, from adolescence to post menopause. Her expertise covers all aspects of gynecology including sexual health, fertility, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and the science of self care.
October 24, 2019

Carbs, carbs, carbs. They're the best—and the worst—am I right? Like many wellness-minded people, I've had a long history of cutting carbs and bringing them back to see how my body reacts. I've come to the conclusion that my body needs a few complex carbohydrates (I'm talking quinoa and sweet potato) to get through the day without feeling lethargic and generally sad about life.

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.

So is there a time in your cycle when you are more carbohydrate tolerant? According to mbg's leading women's health and hormone experts, yes.

The best time in your cycle to eat carbs.

According to Amy Shah, M.D., integrative medicine doctor and mindbodygreen Collective member, "You have much more carbohydrate tolerance—AKA, insulin sensitivity—in the first half of your cycle, which is called the follicular phase, or days 0 through 14. It seems that the estrogen helps keep away insulin resistance. Healthy or even unhealthy carbs are just better tolerated then."

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.

Carb cravings could be a sign that something else is going on.

All that said, we can still crave carbs at all points in our cycle, and if you're having really intense sugar cravings, it might be a sign that something is a little wonky with your hormones. And identifying the specific hormone imbalance could explain when and why you're craving carbs. "Women can crave carbs at any point in their cycle, depending on the imbalance," explained Taz Bhatia, M.D., functional medicine expert and mindbodygreen Collective member. "For example, some women crave carbs the first week of their cycle—where they are estrogen dominant while other women may crave them the week prior when they are low progesterone. There are usually more sugar cravings with thyroid imbalances."

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.

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

Watch Next

Enjoy some of our favorite clips from classes

What Is Meditation?

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Light Watkins

Box Breathing

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

What Breathwork Can Address

Mindfulness/Spirituality | Gwen Dittmar

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

Yoga | Caley Alyssa

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

Nutrition | Rich Roll

What to Eat Before a Workout

Nutrition | Rich Roll

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Nutrition | Sahara Rose

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Love Languages

Love & Relationships | Esther Perel

Related Videos (10)

What Is Meditation?

Box Breathing

What Breathwork Can Address

The 8 Limbs of Yoga - What is Asana?

Two Standing Postures to Open Up Tight Hips

How Plants Can Optimize Athletic Performance

What to Eat Before a Workout

How Ayurveda Helps Us Navigate Modern Life

Messages About Love & Relationships

Love Languages

Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.

More On This Topic

more Health
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.
Advertisement
This ad is displayed using third party content and we do not control its accessibility features.