Cravings get loud in midlife. Stress, hormone shifts, and poor sleep can all push cortisol (your body’s stress hormone) higher, which can ramp up appetite. But surprisingly, what you eat and drink can also raise cortisol levels—and make you want to stress snack even more. It’s a vicious cycle.

Some of the biggest cortisol triggers:

• Eating sugary snacks and ultra-processed foods

• Skipping meals or under-eating

• Grazing all day on carbs without enough protein or fiber

• Late-night eating

• High alcohol or caffeine intake

• Not drinking enough water

Small shifts can make a big difference. Eating more protein at breakfast and balancing meals with fiber and healthy fats can help steady energy, improve sleep, and calm cravings. Cortisol supplements may also support your body’s stress response so you’re not reaching to calm it with cookies. 

And if lifestyle changes aren’t enough, a Midi Clinician can help identify whether nutrient deficiencies, thyroid issues, or other health factors may be contributing.