Cutting carbs is better than fat for controlling appetite in women, Study finds - Video

For many women with lipedema-a painful fat accumulation disorder often mistaken for obesity-controlling appetite and cravings can feel like a losing battle. But a new study published in Frontiers in Nutrition suggests that low carbohydrate diets may be far more effective than low fat diets in curbing food cravings and improving emotional eating patterns. The findings offer new insights into how diet influences “hedonic hunger,” the desire to eat for pleasure rather than true energy needs.

Lipedema primarily affects women and typically emerges during hormonal transitions such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. Unlike typical obesity, it involves abnormal fat storage in the lower limbs, inflammation, and damaged blood vessels-all of which may alter how the brain regulates appetite. Many women with lipedema face both physical discomfort and emotional distress, contributing to overeating or difficulty maintaining healthy eating behaviors.

To test how macronutrient composition affects appetite, researchers analyzed data from a randomized clinical trial comparing low carbohydrate and low fat diets over eight weeks. Seventy women with lipedema or obesity were randomly assigned to consume either 75 grams of carbohydrates per day (low carb) or 180 grams of carbohydrates with 27 grams of fat (low fat). Both groups received the same daily energy (1,200 kcal) and protein (60 g) intake. The team used validated questionnaires-including the Power of Food Scale and emotional eating assessments—to measure hedonic hunger before and after the intervention.

The results were clear: participants following the low carbohydrate diet showed significant reductions in food cue responsiveness—particularly in the Food Present category, which measures the urge to eat when exposed to appetizing food, even if not hungry. They also exhibited declines in emotional eating, suggesting better control over eating triggered by stress or negative mood. Meanwhile, the low fat group showed no such improvements; in fact, they reported higher levels of restrained eating, reflecting greater cognitive effort to control intake.

Researchers believe these differences stem from the impact of carbohydrate restriction on hunger hormones such as insulin and ghrelin, which interact with brain reward pathways. Lower carbohydrate intake may stabilize these hormones, dampening dopamine driven cravings that fuel overeating.

By tuning hormonal and reward based hunger signals, low carb diets might help restore a healthier relationship with food, improving both emotional well being and adherence to lifestyle management.

REFERENCE: Lundanes J. (2025). Hedonic hunger and eating behavior after low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diets in females with lipedema and obesity. Frontiers in Nutrition. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1716592/full