There are days when resisting a square of chocolate seems insurmountable. Indeed, according to science, if you choose your moment, the fight can become unnecessarily difficult. This is why, experts advise never to do a diet this specific day.
Following a diet is much more than a question of calories. The hormonal cycle of women plays a major role in their appetite and their metabolism. Over the month, estrogen and progesterone levels vary, influencing energy, mood and feelings of hunger. At the start of the cycle, estrogen dominates and promotes better sensitivity to insulin. Result: less sugar desires and a more inclined body to burn fat. But this dynamic does not last.
After ovulation, progesterone takes over. And there, everything changes. This hormone prepares the body for a potential pregnancy by stimulating appetite. Metabolism accelerates and the need for energy intake increases from 100 to 300 calories per day. It is also the moment when the ghrelin, the hunger hormone, soars, while the leptin, supposed to regulate appetite, loses in efficiency. Consequence: the desire to eat increases sharply, especially for fatty and sweet foods.
In this context, specialists agree that the 22ᵉ day of the cycle is the worst time to deprive themselves. It is at this stage that progesterone reaches its peak, causing irritability and intense cravings. Trying to resist the signals sent by his own body is the obstacle course. In order not to experience this phase as a punishment, it is better to anticipate and adapt your diet accordingly.
Rather than forcing a strict diet, experts recommend adopting a more flexible approach. Promoting meals rich in protein and good fats can help stabilize the appetite and avoid fatigue. And if the desire for chocolate is too strong, no need to feel guilty: a balanced diet also involves listening to its needs.
