You may become hungrier when it’s cold outside. This can be due to several different reasons, such as natural instincts, a need for additional calories for energy, mental health concerns, and more.
1. Biological Drive
The scarcity of food throughout history created a biological survival drive to consume abundant amounts of food, with increased hunger in colder seasons. This is because, to survive in lower temperatures, humans had to consume more food.
Until about the middle of the 1900s, food shortages and starvation were concerns in the United States, before food became more abundant. Nutrition concerns transitioned to overeating, obesity, and obesity-related disease in the late 1900s.
Despite more access to food, the instinct and biological drive to eat remains, especially in colder weather.
Stages in the transition of food consumption include:
- Before the 1800s, humans were primarily hunters and gatherers or farmers, relying on large amounts of energy expenditure to obtain food, and many people faced food shortages.
- In the early to late 1800s, there was a greater emphasis on agriculture, and food shortages were a significant concern, particularly for those with limited access to agricultural resources.
- Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, industrialization increased, and higher incomes helped Americans gain access to more food, thereby alleviating concerns about hunger.
- Middle to late 1900s – less physical activity and more access to food increased rates of overweight and obesity, as well as diseases related to diets high in processed foods and sugar.
- From the late 1900s to the 2000s, increased awareness and education about nutrition, physical activity, and health have inspired conscious decisions and behavioral changes aimed at preventing obesity.
2. Seasonal Emotional Comfort and Mental Health
In the United States, there is a tradition of eating heartier meals during the colder months.
Many occasions typically include eating:
- Holidays
- Parties
- Seasonal celebrations
- Sporting events
These occasions are particularly associated with sweets and calorie-dense foods. Snacking increases, and so do cravings for foods high in sugar and fat that provide warmth. Processed foods and those high in sugar, which are often associated with winter events, can increase hunger because they create a spike and then a drop in blood sugar levels.
Additionally, experiencing holidays and other events without people who were present in previous years can bring up emotions. For example, holidays after a relationship ends or after the passing of a loved one can be challenging and bring a desire to eat for comfort.
3. Seasonal Affective Disorder
Similar to increased hunger related to seeking emotional comfort, mental health can impact hunger. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a mental health condition that involves feeling depressed at the same time each year, typically in the winter months.
Facts about SAD:
- About 5% of Americans experience SAD each year, with 80% of them being women.
- One of the symptoms is increased hunger and cravings.
- Increased hunger and cravings related to SAD can lead to weight gain.
Treatment of SAD with options such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can help to manage related excess hunger and cravings.
4. Hormonal Cravings
In the winter months, when the temperature is colder, the days are shorter, and there is less sunlight. The hormones serotonin and melatonin are regulated by light, with increased sunlight increasing serotonin and decreased sunlight increasing melatonin. Lower levels of melatonin in the winter months can increase hunger, particularly in the form of cravings for comfort foods.
5. Lifestyle Changes
The days become shorter in the winter months. This tends to result in more time spent indoors and fewer outdoor activities. With a decrease in activities, there is an increase in boredom and restlessness. Boredom is often linked to an increase in hunger and a tendency to eat as a way to escape the feeling of boredom.
6. Need for More Calories
When it’s cold outside, the body uses more energy to maintain its body temperature. That means it needs to consume more calories for energy to maintain a safe and comfortable body temperature.
The amount of additional calories needed in colder weather depends on the temperature.
- In colder environments that are not extreme enough to cause shivering, about 5-15% more calories are needed.
- Approximately 25-50% more calories are required in arctic conditions, especially during periods of significant physical activity.
To ensure enough energy in colder weather, the brain sends a signal to consume more calories for energy by increasing hunger cues.
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