Chen Sicen August 16, 2022
Are those few days each month the golden period for losing weight? Can you eat without gaining weight? The idea that you can lose weight without exercising, and simply by indulging in eating, probably delights every girl, with some even planning to binge eat during their next period to satisfy their cravings. But, is this true?
Can you really not gain weight during your period?
The change in appetite before a woman's period may be caused by fluctuations in estrogen levels. The primary hormone, estradiol, has a role in regulating appetite.
Before the period, estrogen levels drop rapidly, leading to a decrease in the functional level of estradiol, causing women to feel hungry. Changes in the body's hormones can also cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is low, the body's appetite increases, and the ability to control food intake decreases, leading to binge eating.
Additionally, women's metabolism accelerates during their period, leading to faster energy absorption and consumption. On top of a basal metabolic rate of 1200 kcal/day, there's an increase of 50-80 kcal, equivalent to cycling for 15 minutes. The notion of "not gaining weight during the period" stems from this higher metabolic rate, but it is significantly overstated.
Women tend to consume more calories during their period, usually far exceeding the increase in metabolic rate. The main reasons include not only the accelerated metabolism but also emotional changes brought about by discomfort during the period. When experiencing negative emotions such as anxiety and sadness, the body tends to absorb high-calorie foods to stimulate the secretion of dopamine.
Dopamine, as a neurotransmitter, is primarily responsible for the brain's desire and sensation, conveying excitement and happiness to the brain, thus alleviating negative emotions such as anxiety during the period.
Therefore, women who want to maintain a good figure still need to control their diet during their period and prevent binge eating. This can be achieved by:
① Increasing protein intake to maintain normal body fat levels and regulate hormone imbalances;
② Increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables to supplement vitamins and improve estrogen metabolism;
③ Having planned, regular, and balanced meals;
④ Utilizing appropriate exercise to relieve emotional issues during the period.
