There's A Reason You're Hungrier In Winter

Ever wonder why you feel like eating more in winter?

Blame biology. Specifically, levels of the hormone serotonin in human bodies can drop in winter when it’s darker outside. Serotonin helps regulate mood, sleep - and appetite.

At the same time, your body might feel it needs to burn more calories to stay warm, Houston Methodist Dr. Alysia Robichau says.

“Just because you crave food doesn't mean it has to be bad food, but it certainly means that your body is sending your brain messages that say, ‘Hey, we need to burn more calories just to have normal daily life,’” Robichau said in a recent interview. “So it's an automatic need that we crave warmer food and calories in general.”

For some, that might translate into cravings for carbohydrate-filled comfort foods like creamy soups, big bowls of noodles, casseroles or sweets.

“Everybody’s a little different so I think the hardest thing when we are stuck inside is not to overeat and not to eat your feelings,” Robichau said.

Dehydration can also be a problem because people tend to forget to drink enough water in cold weather.

“So sometimes if you're just hungry and bored, and you're looking around because you have nothing else to do and you're hungry, you may not be hungry,” Robichau said. “You may actually be thirsty. So trying 8 to 10 ounces of water is a really good place to start.”

Robichau, whose specialty is orthopedics and sports medicine, says exercise of any kind is important to staying healthy and beating winter weight gain.

“If you just cannot get outside, do your best to get 15 to 30 minutes of movement inside,” she said. “And if you just turn on some good music, and you dance and dance for 15 to 30 minutes, that is still burning calories.”

As with all good things, moderation is key.

“Look at your body, do what's right for you,” Robichau said. “If comfort food is what makes you feel best, do it. But limit your portions so that it's a responsible amount of comfort food and then try and add the vegetables and the fruits and the correct protein so that you get a good balance.”

M​ORE ON WEATHER.COM

-​How Winter Weather Impacts Your Weight Loss Journey

-​Focus On Better Breathing For Children This Winter

-​Here’s Why You’re Seeing So Many People Doing ‘Dry January’

Weather.com reporter Jan Childs covers breaking news and features related to weather, space, climate change, the environment and everything in between.

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