Winter Eating

Contributed by Catherine Vroome - UB Dietetic Intern

After a mild October, the temperatures in Buffalo are starting to drop. Halloween is days away and Thanksgiving is around the corner. From late fall to early spring, most people tend to eat more calories. This desire to eat more during winter may be an animal instinct to fuel up for cold weather survival.  Others believe that this behavior is due to the variety of fatty foods available during the “Eating Season”. A study from the University of Massachusetts found that individuals consumed an average of 86 more calories per day in the fall, compared to the spring.  They also ate more fat and saturated fat and were less physically active. The winter eating phenomenon can have many contributing factors.

 

In the autumn season, the days get shorter and we see less sunlight. The decreased light exposure then prompts us to seek food and eat it faster. This is why restaurants are often dimly lit. Cold-weather cravings for carbohydrate rich foods like pasta and cookies may also be indicative of Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. Research indicates that the brain produces happiness chemicals when high-calorie and high-fat foods are consumed. Eating these foods can act as a coping mechanism for SAD.

To keep your diet in check during shorter days, fill up with lean proteins that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon. Omega-3s have mood-boosting power and protein promotes feelings of fullness. If you plan to give in to a craving, try and eat a healthier version of the comfort food. For example, instead of eating linguine with Alfredo sauce from the pasta station, choose the whole wheat pasta with marinara sauce. Hot items such as tomato based soups and teas are also great low calorie mood boosters. Researchers at Yale University found that physically warm items, such as hot showers and warm drinks, can help people feel happier and less lonely.