Well it’s not just you, and it’s not all in your head. So what’s the reason?
Hormones.
Once you pass age 40, estrogen levels begin to decrease which triggers all kinds of changes in the body, including fluctuations in blood sugar and thyroid. This is the reason for the increase in your appetite.
Toss in a natural loss in overall muscle mass (i.e. less calorie-burning power) often thanks to lower testosterone, and you’ve also got a recipe for weight gain.
3 Strategies to Keep Your Hunger in Check as You Age
While you may not be able to change hormone levels, you can combat the effects of weight gain due to aging by adopting these 3 strategies:
1. Eat more fiber.
Eat plenty of belly-filling, fiber-rich foods. Fiber not only keeps you regular, it helps you feel full quickly and sustains you for a longer period of time. Fill up first on low-sugar fruits and all veggies and then try secondary sources such as beans and whole grains.
2. Lift weights.
Start lifting weights to increase muscle mass that burns more calories. Some of our patients even say it offsets hunger. Work with a professional who understands your fitness goals, health situation and previous experience lifting weights.
3. Consider dietary supplements.
Supplements like omega-3s can boost heart and brain health in addition to helping you lose weight; CoQ, which helps your body burn fats and carbs more efficiently; green tea, which can boost metabolic rate by 4 percent for 24 hours and elevate your adrenaline. Always check with your doctor before taking supplements as they can inhibit the effectiveness of other medications.
Battling Hunger as You Get Older
Managing your weight as you get older isn’t easy. But these three strategies are simple, inexpensive and surprisingly effective steps you can take to boost your fat and calorie-burning furnace, thus keeping your weight in check (or continuing downward if you’re battling obesity).
Feel free to contact the Prime Surgicare team if you need individualized help in weight control. Though we specialize in bariatric weight-loss surgery, our diet and nutrition team helps many people keep weight under control through all stages of life.
About Dr. Seun Sowemimo, MD, FACS
Dr. Seun is a top NJ bariatric surgeon and the medical director at Prime Surgicare, with offices in Freehold serving Monmouth and Ocean counties. He is board-certified, Columbia and Yale University fellowship-trained in advanced laparoscopic, bariatric and general surgery.
To learn more, visit his YouTube channel or call Prime Surgicare at (732)-982-2002.