The fall in temperature along with freezing winds, not only forces you to put on more clothes but also makes one eat more. You must have observed yourself that with the change in season, you tend to eat more and land up to unhealthy cravings.
Even though one may not feel hungry physically, but your mind repeatedly asks for food. You often see yourselves munching on snacks mindlessly and eventually worry about unwanted weight gain.
Your genetics could be responsible for this but there are some other factors as well.
Today Nutritionist and Dietician Avni Kaul talks about why one eats more during the winters.
Temperature
With the decrease in temperature, your body has to counter harder to remain warm. And for this, it requires more calories to generate energy. When it happens, your mind sends a signal to the brain to have on more clothes and eat calorie-dense food. At this stage, you even forget that you are overeating.
Dehydration
One generally drinks less water during winters, which can lead to dehydration. This issue is quite common during this season. The drying heat of room heaters and layers of woolen clothes also makes your body dehydrated. Your body actually requires water, but one confuses its thirst with hunger and eats extra food to keep one-self warm.
Seasonal Blues
Winter blues are reality. The chilled weather is an ultimate recipe for sadness. Several number of people suffer from SAD, Seasonal Affective Disorder, and it makes one eat more. People usually turn to food for some comfort during this season of winter.
Things To Do
If one is worried about gaining weight due to all the extra eating, then here are the some tips for you:
· Have healthy soups and low-calorie meals. Try to eat winter vegetables and fruits in your diet, like Carrot/ Tomato/ Corn
· When you are snacking between your meals, try to have healthy and low-calorie foods in your diet, like roasted Channa, Peanuts, Murmura, Makhanas.
· Portion control is a vital thing. Do not have your plate filled with multiple foods at a time.
· If you feel you are suffering from seasonal blues then take required steps or seek your physician’s advice.
· Exercise daily for a minimum of 30 minutes regularly.
Avni Kaul is Founder of Nutriactivania with Masters Degree in Food and Nutrition from University of Delhi and is also a Certified Diabetes Educator from Project Hope and International Diabetes Federation. She is a Leicester Mammas Ambassador trained in Lactation Counselling with NHS United Kingdom. Mammas support pregnant and new mothers and their families. Specializations of Avni Kaul Include Infant and Young Child Feeding Practises, Pre and Post natal diets, Fat loss, Muscle Gain and Holistic Health and Nutrition