Cold nights and dark days can make you feel hungrier than normal. As winter draws on, you might find yourself reaching for comfort food more frequently.
Things like pasta, bread, chocolate and anything carb laden are common winter weather cravings. If you are feeling more peckish than normal, it’s nothing to worry about. It’s actually a biological response as your body requires more fuel to keep warm.
Karine Patel, weight loss dietitian at Dietitian Fit, said: “In winter, your body works harder to maintain a stable internal temperature. This can increase appetite, especially for foods that deliver quick energy. Also, why you may crave carbs the moment you step inside from the cold.”
In addition to this, serotonin levels dip in winter, Serotonin is the hormone which makes you feel happy and carbohydrates can temporarily cause a rise in serotonin which explains why people tend to reach for them in winter.
Winter also causes a ghrelin increase. Ghrelin is often called the hunger hormone, and both animals and humans experience a spike in winter to prepare for food storage.
The increase in this hormone can cause a false hunger spike, where you feel ravenous even if you’ve recently eaten. This means you might be more prone to snacking in the winter.
There are ways to keep these cravings at bay however. If you want to feel less hungry in the winter, Karine says there are some foods you need to work into your diet.
She recommends warm, protein heavy soups. Karine said: “Anything goes into a mug soup from lentils, chicken, beans and tomato, then add quinoa.
“Warmth and protein are the winners when it comes to winter hunger. This heat also helps relax the body’s stress response, which naturally lowers cravings.”
Starting your day with protein will keep you full for longer and avoid mid-morning cravings.
Greek yogurt with berries and cinnamon is a great option. Karine said: High protein with slow-release carbs. Cinnamon stabilises blood sugar control, extremely important to stop winter cravings. This mix keeps energy levels supported, avoids the mid-afternoon hunger crash many people suffer from colder months.”
Cottage cheese is another great option as it’s high in omega three.
To keep cravings at bay, it’s a good idea to swap cold drinks for warming herbal teas. Karine said: “Warm drinks help you stay hydrated more regularly, lowering dehydration-driven hunger whilst also being comforting.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
