Why we have the Winter Munchies

We’ve all experienced it: the increase in appetite during the winter months. We find ourselves devouring portions and portions of our favourite carbs, fats and proteins. Why do we do this? Research shows that eating more in winter:

makes us happy

makes us warm

Eating more makes us happy
Days are shorter, nights are longer and many may find themselves suffering from ‘The Winter Blues’. Scientifically this is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of mild depression. Not everyone necessarily suffers from SAD, but many people do however experience some form of weariness during the winter months. These feelings of sadness and depression result in an increase in consumption of carbohydrates and fatty foods. Have you ever found yourself particularly craving pastas, breads and delicious pastries during winter? Even fatty fish such as salmon and sardines? Eating high-calorie carbs and omega-3 rich foods can counter the decline in mood since it results in the production of higher levels of serotonin – a chemical that has a significant influence on our mood. The higher our serotonin levels, the lighter our mood.

Eating more makes us warmer
During the winter months, the days are often darker and the lack of sunlight causes the pineal gland in the eye to produce a hormone called melatonin. This is another reason we may find ourselves lazing around and munching more on colder days. Melatonin causes us to have less energy and become sleepy, and this lack of energy and activity makes us feel the cold more intensely. We eat more during winter because metabolising food produces heat and our bodies will naturally crave complex carbohydrates that are harder to digest, like potatoes, rice and the like, in order to keep warm. Many researchers believe that eating more in winter is a ‘primitive impulse in stockpiling calories’ for the coming colder months so that our bodies can stay warm. Eating increased amounts of carbs and fatty foods also lead to weight gain – this is a natural response of the body to the cold since these extra layers of fat act as insulation to protect it from the cold.

Munching more during winter doesn’t have to lead to exponential weight gain or unhealthy living. Here are a few food options you can indulge in whenever the cravings hit.

Complex carbohydrates

• Whole-grains: pasta, bread, brown rice, oatmeal
• Nuts and seeds: lentils, soy milk, beans and peas
• Dairy: low-fat yoghurt, fat-free milk
• Fruits and vegetables: broccoli, spinach, potatoes, radishes

Omega-3 fatty acids

• Dark green leafy vegetables: broccoli, spinach, Romaine lettuce, kale
• Nuts and seeds: walnuts, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds
• Fatty fish: salmon, mackerel, sardines
• Fruits and vegetables: olives, avocado’s