According To Science, This Is Why We Crave Carbs In Winter

Dec 28, 2018 by apost team

It's cold outside and I just want to snuggle up with some comfort food. Does this sound familiar? There is science that shows why.

Winter has definitely arrived with days being shorter and temperatures definitely colder. Interestingly, the foods we normally eat at lunch and snack time might not keep us satiated until dinner. Sometimes we crave carb-rich foods and are just hungrier, and more often. Sound familiar?

It seems so cliche. Winter comes and we want to eat heavier carb-filled meals. Sounds like an excuse, doesn't it? The fact is science shows that people do crave more calories during the winter. Studies have found that many people intake up to 200 more calories a day during the winter.

Why do we feel hungrier in winter and what's with the carbohydrate craving? It's definitely a comfort thing. However, there are environmental and psychological reasons as well.

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What we eat and drink can warm us up from the inside out. When you come inside from the cold, finding something warm to eat or drink just makes sense. That's why it's so easy to grab comfort foods. There's speculation that this drive to eat comes from a primitive survival instinct to get through the winter months when food used to be scarce.

The foods we grab during the winter for warmth and comfort tend to be filled with fat, carbohydrates, and sugars that we don't usually crave so much in the warmer months.

As the winter months creep up, the body's hormone levels tend to fluctuate. 

Take glucocorticoids. These hormones get released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. It's though to be one of the reasons why people tend to stress eat. One 2013 study found this hormone tends to increase in some during the cooler months of autumn and winter. The same study also noted that two other hormones -- ghrelin and leptin— also play a role since they help regulate feelings of hunger and satiation.

The body uses melatonin to help regulate sleep. As the days grow shorter in winter, the body tends to produce more melatonin due to lower light levels. This increase in melatonin can make a person feel tired and sluggish during the waking hours. People tend to need an energy boost, so they grab a rich coffee drink or a candy bar, especially when cold or stressed.

Serotonin is one hormone the body uses to regulate mood and the sense of well being. It has a well-documented role in people with depression and those who deal with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Eating carbohydrates tends to boost the amount of serotonin the body produces. So, it seems natural that you grab a sugary or starchy food when you want to improve your mood. Some scientists have speculated that people who experience intense carb cravings may be experiencing symptoms of SAD.

Think about the differences in the way we live and eat in winter as compared to summer. Our lives and food consumption tend to be quite different. During the colder months, people tend to go inside more. They are more sedentary. This makes mindless snacking a lot easier.

The fall and winter are also filled with Holiday gatherings and family traditions that revolve around food. It's the time of year to indulge in rich desserts and family recipes passed down through the generations. The mind associates good memories with this rich food, making it even harder to resist.

With so much temptation, it can be difficult to resist so much rich food. Here are six ways you can indulge a bit without going crazy.

Some carbohydrate foods contain higher levels of fiber which helps regulate blood glucose levels. Think peas, vegetables, oats, beans, quinoa, and whole grains. The combination of fiber and the slower rise in glucose makes you feel full and prevents cravings.

A liquid bowl of hot goodness helps warm you up while keeping you feel full. Soups, stews, and chili filled with extra vegetables and healthy proteins will keep you satiated longer.

When you sit down to a meal, make sure you load up on vegetables that are low in calories yet high in fiber. Add in a lean protein and some healthy fat. These all help you feel full while keeping food cravings at bay.

The last thing you want to do is try to avoid holiday treats altogether. This leads to cravings that can become overwhelming. The better option is to decide which indulgences you want to indulge in. Then, take a moderate portion and dig in. That way you are satisfying your desire for a favorite food without going overboard.

Your body runs on water. When you don't drink enough water, you feel hungrier because the body seeks hydration from any source it can get, including foods. Drink plenty of water in the winter. You can also indulge in warm beverages that contain low levels of sugar for a warm pick me up.

You may not want to go to the gym on a cold day. However, working out is actually a great way to lower stress levels, reduce carb cravings, and increase the production of serotonin. Even a 15-minute walk can do a lot of good.

So, your winter cravings are actually real and not a cop-out. How are you going to manage them this winter? Let us know. And feel free to pass this along to others who need help getting through the winter months.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!