--- title: Do women change what they eat during the luteal phase? | Niyora description: Most women eat more during the luteal phase, with 85% eating more sugars and sweets, and 91.78% of women experience food cravings during this time. url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/evaluation-of-premenstrual-syndrome-and-its-relationship-with-changes-in-food-2022/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Do women change what they eat during the luteal phase? Survey study, 2022 # Do women change what they eat during the luteal phase? Most women eat more during the luteal phase, with 85% eating more sugars and sweets, and 91.78% of women experience food cravings during this time. Early or limited evidence 207 female university students aged 18-41 in Brazil ## What they did Asked 207 female university students in Brazil (aged 18-41) about physical symptoms and eating habits during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle using an online survey. ## What they found 95.65% reported at least one physical symptom. 85% increased consumption of sugars and sweets, and 38.6% increased carbohydrates. Food cravings occurred in 91.78%, mainly for sweets (87%) and fast food (33.8%). Overall food intake increased in 70.5% of women during the luteal phase. ## What it means for you The luteal phase clearly increases hunger and cravings for sweets and carbs in most women. The study relied on self-reported data from university students in one Brazilian city, so findings may not apply to all women. 95.65% had physical symptoms 85% increased sugar consumption 91.78% experienced food cravings ## About the study Original title Evaluation of premenstrual syndrome and its relationship with changes in food consumption during the luteal phase in a university center in northwest paulista: a prospective observational cross-sectional study Authors Beatriz Rosa Meneghesso, Giulia Rago Constâncio, Marina Morandin Rinaldi et al. Journal International Journal of Nutrology Year 2022 Study design Survey study Participants 207 What was tested None Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.54448/ijn2236](https://doi.org/10.54448/ijn2236) Original abstract Introduction: The menstrual cycle is a natural phenomenon that occurs in two phases: follicular and luteal. Several hormonal, physical and psychological changes occur during this period, which influence the female diet. These changes and consequences are felt mainly in the luteal phase, that is between 1 to 5 days before the menstrual flow, characterizing the premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual tension (PMS). Objective: This article aims to evaluate food intake and dietary changes in adult women of reproductive age during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Quali-quantitative descriptive exploratory study, carried out with 207 female students, between 18 and 41 years of age, from all courses at a University Center in northwestern São Paulo. An online questionnaire was applied via Google Forms with closed and open questions that characterized the sample regarding the participants' personal and dietary aspects in the luteal phase. The work complied with Resolution 466/12 of the National Health Council and was approved by the Ethics Committee and all participants signed the Informed Consent Term. Results: It was observed that there was a predominance of women aged between 19 and 22 years (64.25%). With regard to physical symptoms in the luteal phase, 95.65% of women reported having at least one symptom, such as swollen and/or painful breasts (67.7%) and colic (55.1%). Regarding the intensity of food craving, 5.3% of the women reported no changes, 10.6% had low intensity (mild), 50.7% had moderate intensity, 27.5% had high intensity (high) and 5, 8% very high intensity (severe). According to the change in dietary pattern, among the foods presented, 85% of the participants claimed to have a higher consumption of sugars and sweets during this period and 38.6% higher consumption of carbohydrates, representing most of the responses collected. It was found that food cravings among the participants occurred with high frequency in 91.78% of the cases, with emphasis on the high craving for sweets (87%) and fast food (33.8%). The increase in food consumption in the luteal phase was significant, as it was present in 70.5% of women. Conclusion: The luteal phase interferes with the pattern and intensity of food craving, as well as with the increased intake of macronutrients, especially carbohydrates, sugars and sweets. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Appetite and food cravings](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-food-cravings/)[Diet and nutrition](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-diet/)[Relationships and partners](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-relationships/)[Students and academic performance](https://niyora.com/research/topics/life-area-education/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Cohort study, 2026 Are eating behaviors linked to how severe a woman's PMS symptoms are? Survey study, 2017 Is premenstrual syndrome linked to anxiety, digestive problems, and food choices? Survey study, 2026 What dietary, lifestyle, and psychological factors are associated with PMS in young women? Study, 2026 What are premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder? Randomised trial, 2026 Does training based on health promotion model reduce PMS symptoms, emotional eating, and stress? Survey study, 2026 How do pain, sleep quality, and appetite change across the menstrual cycle? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗