As many look to start 2026 with weight loss goals, new research suggests that cutting carbohydrates may be more effective than reducing fat—especially for women living with lipoedema and obesity. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition finds that a low-carb diet can help control appetite and improve eating behaviour by targeting hedonic hunger—the drive to eat for pleasure or emotional reasons rather than physical need.
Appetite regulation involves complex interactions between hormones like ghrelin and insulin, as well as brain reward pathways. When these systems are out of balance, women may struggle with emotional eating, overeating, or sticking to dietary changes.
The Study: Low-Carb vs. Low-Fat Diets
In the eight-week randomized clinical trial, 70 women with lipoedema and obesity were assigned to either a low-carbohydrate diet (75 grams of carbs per day) or a low-fat diet (180 grams of carbs and 27 grams of fat per day), with both groups consuming 1,200 kcal and 60 grams of protein daily. Researchers measured changes in appetite and eating behaviour using validated tools such as the Power of Food Scale.
Women on the low-carb diet reported significant reductions in emotional eating and food cue responsiveness—the urge to eat when seeing or smelling appealing foods. In contrast, women on the low-fat diet reported increased restrained eating, suggesting more cognitive effort was needed to control intake.
Why Low-Carb Diets May Work
Low-carb diets may curb apAs many look to start 2026 with weight loss goals, new research suggests that cutting carbohydrates may be more effective than reducing fat—especially for women living with lipoedema and obesity. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition finds that a low-carb diet can help control appetite and improve eating behaviour by targeting hedonic hunger—the drive to eat for pleasure or emotional reasons rather than physical need.
Appetite regulation involves complex interactions between hormones like ghrelin and insulin, as well as brain reward pathways. When these systems are out of balance, women may struggle with emotional eating, overeating, or sticking to dietary changes.
The Study: Low-Carb vs. Low-Fat Diets
In the eight-week randomized clinical trial, 70 women with lipoedema and obesity were assigned to either a low-carbohydrate diet (75 grams of carbs per day) or a low-fat diet (180 grams of carbs and 27 grams of fat per day), with both groups consuming 1,200 kcal and 60 grams of protein daily. Researchers measured changes in appetite and eating behaviour using validated tools such as the Power of Food Scale.
Women on the low-carb diet reported significant reductions in emotional eating and food cue responsiveness—the urge to eat when seeing or smelling appealing foods. In contrast, women on the low-fat diet reported increased restrained eating, suggesting more cognitive effort was needed to control intake.
Why Low-Carb Diets May Work
Low-carb diets may curb appetite by affecting hormones that regulate hunger. Ghrelin, often called the “hunger hormone,” tends to be suppressed more effectively when carbohydrate intake is lower. Reduced carbs can also stabilize blood sugar levels, enhancing feelings of fullness. Previous studies indicate that women on low-carb, high-protein diets experience lower hunger and greater early weight loss compared with high-carb, low-fat diets.
Implications for Women’s Health
For women managing appetite challenges, emotional eating, or weight, a low-carb approach may provide practical benefits. This doesn’t require extreme restriction; focusing on whole foods, reducing refined carbohydrates, and balancing macronutrients can make a meaningful difference. Personalization and guidance from dietitians or healthcare professionals are recommended, particularly for women with conditions like lipoedema.
Overall, the study adds to growing evidence that not all calories are equal when it comes to appetite. Reducing carbohydrate intake may help women better manage hedonic hunger and emotional eating, improving the likelihood of long-term weight management success.petite by affecting hormones that regulate hunger. Ghrelin, often called the “hunger hormone,” tends to be suppressed more effectively when carbohydrate intake is lower. Reduced carbs can also stabilize blood sugar levels, enhancing feelings of fullness. Previous studies indicate that women on low-carb, high-protein diets experience lower hunger and greater early weight loss compared with high-carb, low-fat diets.
Implications for Women’s Health
For women managing appetite challenges, emotional eating, or weight, a low-carb approach may provide practical benefits. This doesn’t require extreme restriction; focusing on whole foods, reducing refined carbohydrates, and balancing macronutrients can make a meaningful difference. Personalization and guidance from dietitians or healthcare professionals are recommended, particularly for women with conditions like lipoedema.
Overall, the study adds to growing evidence that not all calories are equal when it comes to appetite. Reducing carbohydrate intake may help women better manage hedonic hunger and emotional eating, improving the likelihood of long-term weight management success.
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