During the first half of your cycle, rising estrogen curbs your appetite and stabilizes your blood sugar levels, so you can eat lighter—think salads and smoothies—and focus on slowcarb meals like chicken with spinach and lentils. In the second half of your cycle, however, you have to eat enough to meet your additional caloric needs. Trying to starve yourself during this phase will backfire; your body will rev up its fat-storing mechanisms. This is the time you want to reach for richer proteins and lots of slow-burning carbohydrates like beans, grains, and root vegetables.
