Study, 1994
Does how much women eat change during the menstrual cycle?
Yes. Women eat more, especially fat, during the later part of their cycle.
What they did
26 women without eating disorders tracked their food, exercise, and eating patterns for one complete menstrual cycle. Their hormone levels were measured to identify three cycle phases.
What they found
Energy intake increased 685.9 kJ/day during the later (luteal) phase compared to the earlier phases. Fat intake increased by 2% during the luteal phase, which equals 9.2 g/day more fat. Protein and carbohydrate percentages stayed relatively constant.
What it means for you
Women naturally eat more when their hormones change in the second half of the cycle, particularly more fat. This wasn't caused by changes in exercise or dietary control. The study looked at only one cycle in each woman, so we don't know if this happens every cycle.
685.9 kJ/day
increase in energy intake
2%
increase in fat intake
9.2 g/day
additional fat consumed
About the study
- Original title
- Energy regulation over the menstrual cycle
- Authors
- Johnson WG, Corrigan SA, Lemmon CR et al.
- Journal
- Physiology & behavior
- Year
- 1994
- Study design
- Study
- What was tested
- None
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0031-9384(94)90296-8
Topics
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