Why do we eat more in winter? How do we avoid weight gain in winter?

Arabia Weather - The eating style of many people changes during the winter, as the love for delicious and hot foods increases, as the cold and short days often arouse the human appetite for fatty and hot foods, but are there scientific reasons for this phenomenon?

Stimulate appetite due to cold

As temperatures drop, the body increases heat production to maintain its internal temperature. It is known that increasing heat stimulates appetite, making us feel the desire to eat to generate the necessary heat.

The effect of psychological pressure

Studies indicate that psychological factors play a role in increasing appetite in the winter. Some people suffer from “winter depression,” a psychological condition associated with low levels of sunlight, which leads to an increased desire to eat as a way to overcome negative moods.

Needing more energy

The body may also be required to increase energy in the winter to combat the cold. The body burns additional calories to maintain its temperature, and therefore, this activity requires an increase in food intake.

Availability of food

In some places, winter is the harvest season for some foods. Delicious fruits and vegetables are available at this time of year, making them available in abundance and encouraging greater consumption of them.

How to avoid weight gain in the winter?

Janet Polivy, a professor of eating psychology at the University of Toronto in Mississauga, points out a strong relationship between protein intake and satiety. She stresses that completely depriving the body of food may lead to adverse results and increase the possibility of overeating. Therefore, it is recommended to add appropriate amounts of protein to achieve balance.

If you feel very cold and want to drink a hot drink, it is best to avoid hot chocolate and replace it with hot tea, especially if it is with spices such as cardamom and cloves. You can also enjoy a cup of coffee, but it is best to avoid adding sweetened cream, marshmallows, or large amounts of sugar.

Eating soups that contain legumes, such as beans or lentils, is a good alternative to cream soup. Even if you do not exercise regularly, you can do some movement inside the house or organize some simple activities, which will stimulate your body to move and keep your mind busy, and thus, reduce thinking about unhealthy foods.

Finally, you can trick the mind into feeling full by eating food rich in complex carbohydrates, such as oats, barley, brown rice, and whole-grain bread, as part of your diet.

Sources: websites