A Rebel in my maintenance coaching program once asked why she was so much hungrier now that it was a colder time of year.

It’s a great question, and the answer is that multiple factors may contribute to a winter appetite increase.

First of all, colder weather makes it harder for our bodies to regulate our body temperature.

But when we eat, we warm up for a short time, so our body sends “feed me” signals more frequently.

However, eating only helps temporarily, so it’s not really a solution (especially if you’re trying to LOSE weight!).

Another factor contributing to our winter appetite increase is our primitive drive to stockpile calories for the winter.

Though we live in comfortable heated homes and work in heated offices, our body’s primal survival wiring is still firmly in place.

And when the days get shorter and darker, that primitive impulse to eat more and store fat for the winter kicks in, and it hangs around until the days get lighter and warmer again.

Also, let’s not forget that the holiday season falls on cold winter months in many places.

The holiday season is not part of our primal survival wiring, but we’ve had YEARS of conditioning to view the holiday season as a feeding frenzy.

For that reason, the onset of cold weather may be simply be triggering a habit to eat, eat, and eat some more.

A couple more things to consider:

1) Because the days are so short, there’s also a lot less opportunity to get outside in the sun. Even if you do get outside in the sun, it’s not all that warm.

2) Drinking water isn’t as appealing when it’s cold out instead of hot out, so skimping on your water will only make it more challenging to manage your appetite.

“Okay, Cristy, so what can I do to feel less hungry during the winter?”

In all honesty, you’re gonna have to tough it out, to a point. Awareness of what’s going on, which you have now that you’ve read this article, will help, but there’s no magical quick fix to this.

Still, here are a few things that may take the edge off:

First, DEFINITELY get your water in. It’ll help with appetite control. Try drinking it warm instead of ice cold, and see if that helps. Some people prefer it ice cold even in the winter, but some do better in the winter with warm water.

Second, enjoy more hot tea (from a teabag, not from a power). Help your body warm up so it doesn’t feel the need to send so many hunger signals. And eat warm, cooked foods when you can (vs. stuff like cottage cheese or cold tomatoes), for the same reason as drinking hot tea.

Third, make sure you’re taking a good quality vitamin D3. You’re not gonna get all the D3 you need huddled up indoors in the dark.

Fourth, stay busy! Give yourself stuff to do that’s not food-related. Clean the house, organize, walk your dog, put a puzzle together, paint – whatever you need to do, or enjoy doing.

Finally, I want you to start thinking of hunger differently. It’s not a bad thing. It’s a totally normal bodily function. It means that your body is digesting and using your food.

I get that it’s a distracting sensation, so use the tips above, but also keep it in perspective.

A small winter appetite increase (especially one conditioned into you by decades of holiday feeding frenzies) ain’t gonna kill you!

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