Why You Crave Sugar at 3pm (and what your hormones are trying to tell you)

If you are finding yourself reaching for something sweet in the afternoon and wondering why you cannot “just stop,” please know this is not about willpower. Women in their 40s and 50s experience cravings differently because our bodies become more sensitive to stress, blood sugar dips, lighter meals, poor sleep and the mental load we carry every day.

Your cravings are not failure. They are communication.

In this vlog, I explain why the 3pm crash happens, what your cravings are really asking for and the gentle, realistic steps that help you feel steadier — without restriction, guilt or perfection.

If you want to feel more calm around food and more supported in this stage of life, this episode will be a relief.

Key Takeaways

• Afternoon sugar cravings are not a lack of willpower — they are a hormonal and physiological response, especially for women 40+.

• Your body asks for sugar when it feels under-fuelled or stressed — cravings are communication, not sabotage.

• The 3pm crash is often triggered by long gaps between eating, light breakfasts or busy mornings that leave cortisol and blood sugar unstable.

• Stress, mental load and poor sleep make your brain burn more fuel, which increases cravings for quick energy.

• When you meet cravings with compassion rather than shame, your nervous system settles and cravings become easier to manage.

• Small, steady adjustments — more protein in the morning, balancing lunch, avoiding long gaps between meals and adding an afternoon anchor snack — genuinely reduce cravings.

• Cravings are your body asking for stability, rhythm and nourishment — listening to them creates real change.

Ready for More Support?

If you want help calming cravings, balancing hormones and feeling steadier in January, the next round of my 5-Day Weight Loss Workshop starts on 5th January.It is a gentle reset designed for women 40+ who want more energy, fewer cravings and a calmer relationship with food.

✨ Click here to join us.