The appetite comes with the cold
The more temperatures drop, the more difficult hunger seems to be to control, this is what the figures seem to indicate since 51% of women and 59% of men say they eat more when it is cold. However, 91% of them stay at home and spend less time braving the cold. Does this seasonal depression excuse this excess of gluttony or does it cover a real energy need?
Increase caloric intake to fight the cold?
To comfort themselves and protect themselves from low temperatures, many warm their hearts with good comforting dishes. In fact, the majority (59% of women and 72% of men surveyed) eat richer dishes than normal and snack more often, 65% of men compared to only 51% of women.
More desire for a cozy kitchen than a real energy need
Finally, even if 86% of French people think they feel hungry more quickly in winter. It seems pointless to eat for two. Indeed, the experts have decided: hunger is more comforting than actually linked to the cold. We associate winter more by reflex and desire with generous, warm and convivial dishes than by a need for energy or survival instinct.
The expert’s opinion
“Theoretically, our body should maintain a temperature around 37°C. In winter, this requires much more energy because the seasonal cold involves greater energy expenditure to maintain this temperature. Logically, eating more allows us to fight against the cold. This is called thermoregulation. But with the cold temperatures of winter, we also tend to go outside less. And what’s more, we have warmer clothing to protect us. At the same time, we are surely reducing our physical activity a little (a lot?) All these factors indicate that we have less energy expenditure than usual, leading to lower energy needs. A richer diet therefore does not seem necessary! » explains dietitian Quitoque.
Comforting dishes to indulge yourself
Finally, to compensate for the drop in morale due to the cold, the French (32% of women and 39% of men) say they are getting back on track further by relying on mountain dishes (raclette, tartiflette or fondue) which are good for the body and to the soul and brings back a smile. And a little less so with a traditional local dish (pot au feu, blanquette, etc.) which used to bring people together but which perhaps requires a little more time to prepare.
*Methodology: survey carried out among 13,411 people representative of the French national population, aged 18 and over.
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