Understanding Gender Differences: Which gender likes to eat more?

October 13, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, on average, men require a higher daily caloric intake than women, a fact that often shapes the misconception about which gender likes to eat more? This seemingly simple question, however, is influenced by a complex interplay of biological, behavioral, psychological, and social factors.

Quick Summary

An individual's eating habits and preferences are influenced by more than just biological sex. Metabolic rate, muscle mass, hormones, sociocultural pressures, and stress all contribute to varied dietary patterns between men and women.

Key Points

Caloric Needs: Men generally require more calories than women due to larger body size and higher muscle mass, which increases their basal metabolic rate.
Eating Patterns: Women tend to eat more frequently and snack more, while men often eat fewer, larger meals and eat faster.
Food Preferences: Men often prefer high-protein and fatty foods like meat, while women tend to opt for healthier choices like vegetables and whole grains, along with sweets.
Hormonal Influence: Hormonal fluctuations, such as the menstrual cycle in women, can increase appetite and cravings, particularly for sweet or high-energy foods.
Societal Pressure: Sociocultural factors, including pressures for thinness in women and muscularity in men, significantly impact body image and eating behaviors, leading to higher dieting rates among women.
Emotional Eating: Women are more likely to engage in emotional eating in response to stress, while men's emotional eating patterns tend to be different or less frequent.
Individual Variation: It's an oversimplification to say one gender likes to eat more; individual metabolism, psychology, and activity level are more relevant than gender generalizations.

The Science of Sex-Based Caloric Needs

At the most fundamental level, the difference in caloric requirements between genders is primarily due to physiology. On average, men tend to be larger, with greater muscle mass, than women. Muscle tissue is more metabolically active than fat tissue, meaning it burns more calories at rest. This higher basal metabolic rate (BMR) means men generally require more energy just to maintain basic bodily functions. The National Health Service in the UK, for instance, suggests an average daily intake of 2,500 calories for men versus 2,000 for women. However, these are general guidelines, and individual needs vary widely based on age, height, and activity level.

Hormonal Influences on Appetite and Metabolism

Sex hormones play a significant role in regulating appetite and metabolism. For women, hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle can have a noticeable impact on hunger and cravings. Research indicates that appetite and energy needs can increase during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, leading to higher caloric intake, sometimes by as much as a few hundred calories a day. In contrast, testosterone in men can influence metabolism and has been linked to a generally higher metabolic rate and lower levels of body fat compared to women.

Behavioral and Psychological Differences in Eating

Beyond biology, ingrained behaviors and psychological factors contribute significantly to gender-specific eating patterns. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition analyzed data from a large Italian population and revealed several key differences in eating habits.

Meal Frequency and Snacking: Women reported eating more frequently, often having more snacks throughout the day, while men were more likely to skip meals.
Timing of Hunger: Men often reported feeling their hungriest before dinner, whereas women experienced hunger more evenly distributed throughout the day, with peaks in the morning or afternoon.
Speed of Eating: The same study found men tended to eat faster than women.
Stress Eating: When it comes to coping with stress, women are more likely to turn to food for emotional regulation, particularly high-calorie comfort foods, whereas men often under-eat or have less predictable responses.

The Impact of Sociocultural Pressures

Societal expectations and cultural norms heavily influence how each gender perceives and engages with food. Studies show women are subject to greater sociocultural pressure for thinness, leading to more frequent dieting behavior and higher rates of body dissatisfaction. This pressure can lead to a more conflicted relationship with food for women, driving behaviors like restrictive eating and emotional indulgence.

Men face different, though equally real, pressures. The media's ideal male body image often emphasizes a muscular, lean physique, which can lead to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating patterns focused on muscle gain rather than weight loss. These can include compulsive exercising or binge eating behaviors aimed at bulking up. Historically, eating disorders have been underdiagnosed and underreported in men due to the misconception that they are predominantly a 'female issue'.

A Comparison of Eating Behaviors


Aspect	Tendencies in Men	Tendencies in Women
Caloric Needs	Generally higher due to larger size and muscle mass.	Generally lower, though fluctuates with hormones.
Meal Frequency	Less frequent, more likely to skip meals.	More frequent, more likely to snack.
Hunger Timing	Peak hunger often occurs later in the day, before dinner.	Hunger is more evenly distributed, with morning peaks.
Food Preferences	Prefer red and processed meat, high-fat foods, and alcohol.	Prefer vegetables, whole grains, and sweets (like chocolate).
Emotional Eating	Less frequent reporting of stress-induced overeating.	More likely to engage in emotional and uncontrolled eating.
Societal Pressure	Ideal body image focuses on muscle and leanness.	Stronger pressure for thinness, often leading to dieting.

The Role of Food Environment and Availability

Beyond internal and societal pressures, the food environment also influences gendered eating habits. Men are more likely to eat out frequently, potentially due to lifestyle or work commitments. Eating out can often involve larger portions and less healthy options. Women, especially those taking on traditional family roles, might have more structured or controlled eating patterns due to planning family meals, but are also more influenced by food cues in their environment.

Furthermore, the types of food marketed and advertised often appeal differently to genders, further shaping preferences and consumption patterns. Advertisements for snacks and high-fat foods often target men with themes of pleasure and indulgence, while marketing towards women frequently emphasizes health and low-calorie options.

The Importance of Personalized Nutrition

Since the question of which gender likes to eat more is a vast oversimplification, a personalized approach to nutrition is crucial. Instead of adhering to outdated gender stereotypes, individuals should focus on their specific needs, factoring in their unique metabolism, activity level, and lifestyle.

Key considerations for personalized nutrition include:

Energy and Macronutrient Needs: Tailor your calorie and macronutrient goals based on your individual body composition and activity level, not a general gender average.
Micronutrient Requirements: Be aware of specific micronutrient needs, such as a woman’s need for more iron during menstruation or a man's need for more magnesium and zinc.
Mindful Eating: Regardless of gender, practicing mindful eating can help manage emotional eating triggers and reduce uncontrolled food intake.
Hormonal Fluctuations: For women, understanding how hormonal shifts impact appetite can help in managing food cravings and energy needs throughout the month.

Conclusion

While a superficial glance at caloric intake might suggest one gender 'likes to eat more,' a deeper dive into the science reveals a far more complex picture. Men generally consume more calories due to higher metabolic rates linked to greater muscle mass and body size. However, women exhibit more frequent snacking and emotionally-driven eating behaviors, influenced by hormonal cycles and societal pressures. Both genders are shaped by biological imperatives, psychological factors, and sociocultural expectations that create distinct, not better or worse, eating patterns. True nutritional wellness, therefore, requires a personalized approach that recognizes and adapts to these nuanced differences, rather than relying on broad, inaccurate assumptions.

For more detailed research, a systematic review of gender differences in eating behavior provides valuable insights into the complex interplay of biological and psychological factors.

Additional Considerations for a Balanced Diet

Hydration: Proper hydration is essential for regulating appetite and metabolism, and individual needs can vary based on size and activity level.
Nutrient Density: Choosing nutrient-dense foods is more important than simply counting calories, especially for women with lower overall energy needs.
Meal Timing: Optimizing meal and snack timing can help stabilize energy levels and prevent extreme hunger, regardless of gender.
Physical Activity: Exercise not only burns calories but also influences appetite hormones. Finding a consistent exercise routine benefits both genders.

The Final Verdict

The idea that one gender 'likes to eat more' is a misconception based on differing average caloric needs and eating habits. In reality, both men and women have complex, nuanced relationships with food shaped by a variety of factors. Understanding these differences allows for a more informed and personalized approach to nutrition, moving beyond outdated stereotypes to promote genuine health and wellness for everyone.

Gender Differences in Taste and Food Habits - MDPI

Frequently Asked Questions

On average, men tend to have a higher metabolic rate than women due to greater muscle mass, which requires more calories. However, this is a generalization, and a person's metabolic rate is also influenced by age, activity level, and genetics.

Yes, research suggests that men and women often crave different foods. Studies indicate men may crave more savory or high-fat foods, while women tend to crave sweeter foods like chocolate and ice cream more frequently.

In women, fluctuations in hormones during the menstrual cycle can increase appetite and cravings, particularly in the luteal phase. Testosterone levels in men can also influence metabolism.

Historically, eating disorders have been considered more common in women and have been underdiagnosed in men due to stigma. However, the prevalence in men is increasing, and certain disordered eating behaviors are common in both, though often driven by different body image ideals.

Societal pressures for thinness in women can lead to more dieting and body dissatisfaction. Men face different pressures, often related to muscularity, which can lead to specific disordered eating patterns. These pressures shape different relationships with food.

Yes, studies show women are more likely to eat more in response to stress for emotional regulation. Conversely, men's eating behaviors under stress are more varied, sometimes resulting in under-eating.

The best approach is personalized. Focus on understanding your individual metabolic needs, listen to your hunger cues, and build a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods. Consider consulting a nutrition professional for a tailored plan.