Why You’re Craving Sugar (and Snapping at Your Partner) in Perimenopause

You swore you’d cut back on sugar. You promised yourself you wouldn’t yell over the dishwasher being loaded “wrong.” But here you are… standing in the kitchen with a fistful of chocolate and tears in your eyes because the dog is barking again.

If you’ve been wondering what the heck is happening to your body—and your mood—during perimenopause, you’re not alone.

This isn't just a lack of willpower. It’s your hormones trying to send you a message.

Let’s break it down.

1. Your Blood Sugar is on a Hormonal Rollercoaster

During perimenopause, estrogen and progesterone aren’t just declining—they’re fluctuating wildly. These swings affect how your body processes insulin (the hormone that regulates blood sugar).

This means:

• You feel hungrier more often.

• You crave quick hits of energy (hello, sugar and carbs).

• You crash hard after that sweet fix.

And because your body is more sensitive to stress in this phase, those crashes can turn into tears, anxiety, or irritability in a matter of minutes.

2. Cortisol is Running the Show

Cortisol is your main stress hormone. And during midlife, it tends to get… bossy.

If you’re constantly in go-go-go mode (like most of us midlife women juggling work, family, and trying to take care of ourselves), your cortisol may be spiking throughout the day.

And guess what cortisol LOVES to trigger?

Sugar cravings. Emotional outbursts. That wired-but-tired feeling that keeps you up at night and exhausted by 2 PM.

3. Your Brain Chemistry is Shifting Too

When estrogen drops, so does serotonin—that feel-good neurotransmitter that keeps your mood stable and your cravings in check.

So when you reach for that sugary snack or glass of wine, it’s often your brain trying to self-soothe and get a quick serotonin boost. It's biology, not weakness.

4. You’re Not Crazy. You’re in Transition.

Midlife doesn’t have to mean misery, but we’ve got to stop pretending this is “just aging” or something we need to push through silently.

Your body is asking for support. Not restriction. Not guilt. It’s time to nourish your hormones, your mind, and your gut—because yes, your gut health plays a huge role in your mood and cravings too.

So what can you do about it?

Here are a few gentle, holistic ways to calm the cravings and mood swings:

• Eat more often and more intentionally. Balance every meal with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep blood sugar steady.

• Drink more water than you think you need. Dehydration can mimic hunger (and worsen mood).

• Support your stress response. Deep breathing, walking in nature, adaptogenic herbs, and gut-brain axis supplements (like Happy Juice!) can help reset your cortisol.

• Cut sugar gradually—not cold turkey. Your body needs nourishment, not punishment.

• Track your symptoms. Notice patterns between your cycle (even if it's irregular), cravings, moods, and sleep.

  
  

Here’s the good news:

You’re not broken. You’re not weak. And you’re definitely not alone.

You’re just navigating the beautiful mess that is perimenopause—and when you learn to listen to what your body is asking for, it does get easier.

BONUS: Grab My Free Guide

“The Craving & Mood Fix: Natural Strategies to Calm the Rollercoaster of Perimenopause”

In this free PDF, you’ll discover:

• The top 5 foods that naturally balance blood sugar and mood

• A simple “mood map” to help you track your triggers

• My favorite natural remedies for emotional overwhelm

• A sample one-day hormone-friendly menu

• And the #1 supplement I use to reset my cravings and stress

  
  

Click Me

This guide is designed for high-achieving, heart-centered women who are ready to feel like themselves again. You’ve got this—and I’m right here with you.

XO,

Coach Shannon