Winter Cravings: why do I eat more in Winter? 🍴
Have you ever noticed that eating food when it’s cold outside is just more enjoyable than when it’s hot? Many people say that the infamous summer heat in Malta makes them lose their appetite. In contrast, curling up in a blanket and devouring warm pasta, pizza or pies is almost the main reason why winter isn’t so bad after all. 🥧
If you find yourself gaining a little bit of weight each year when the cold hits, you’re not alone. And the reason why this happens is actually backed by science. Here’s why we tend to eat more in winter:
We feel cold
Seems obvious, right? When the temperature drops, our body fights harder to stay warm, burning more calories in the process. As a result, just like we get the urge to wear scarves and add an extra blanket on the bed, our mind also tells us to grab a hot item of food (or drink). ☕
Seeking warmth is a natural instinct - which inevitably makes it harder to resist consuming more food and also more calories.
We stay in when the weather is bad
We all know that when it’s too cold or rainy outside we tend to avoid leaving the house. Let’s also not forget that COVID-19 practically made us spend the majority of 2020 at home. The result of this? Overeating.
It’s difficult to say ‘no’ to eating more snacks and cooking up larger meals when you’re constantly near the kitchen. Thanks rain, you just made me gain 5 pounds this month. 🤦♀️
Winter blues are a thing
We’re lucky to say that in Malta we see a lot of sunlight. Full of vitamin D, life and all that good stuff, the sun is responsible for equipping us with our daily dose of serotonin (also known as the happy chemical in our body). In winter, however, days are shorter and periods of gloomy weather do come about. 🌧️
To combat this, we may end up finding comfort in ordering takeout, trying new recipes and eating more snacks during the day. If there’s one thing all foodies can agree on is that good food equals good mood.
Our culture makes us gain weight
In case you’ve never sat back and reflected on this, our Western culture makes us associate eating rich, hearty comfort food in winter. We all know that pies, soup, ramen and roasts are generally for winter, while salads and barbecues are for summer.
In winter we also happen to celebrate the biggest event of the year related to sharing food with loved ones - Christmas. This often means saying yes to dinner parties, dozens of mince pies and plenty of Christmas cake. 🎄
Tips To Avoid Gaining Extra Weight in Winter
First of all, it’s important to understand that it’s normal to go through phases of overeating. Depriving ourselves of meals is never a good thing. However, avoiding overeating to take care of our health is a good thing. 💪
1. Find natural ways to boost your serotonin levels (it’ll help in all aspects of life)
2. Find healthier versions of your favourite meals
3. Try to add in a 30-minute workout to your daily routine
4. Replace food snacks with drinks to stay hydrated - opt for water, tea and coffee instead
5. Eat plenty of vegetables to keep healthy
What’s your best tip for avoiding overeating during winter? Drop a comment below and let us know!
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