Winter = Eat More?

CountryGirl8542

Hey there!!

It is currently -30 C (-22 F) where I live and I am constantly cold (even with tons of layers on.... you can only wear so many layers before you can't bend) and I am hungry all the time! I have heard that your body burns more calories in the winter to keep warm... so I am wondering... have any of you upped your calorie intake for the winter??

JoRocka

yeah- it's called bulking.

nytrifisoul

Yes the more fat layers you wear the warmer you will be.

tigersword

yeah- it's called bulking.

This....

Yes the more fat layers you wear the warmer you will be.

...and this.

Your body burns a couple more calories when extremely cold to maintain body temperature, but it's not really anything that would be measurable. Maybe an extra 10 calories a day? Unless you're standing outside naked, then it might go into overdrive, but at that temperature you'd be dead in about 2 minutes anyway.

Lizzy622

I just add more layers of clothing. They will be coming off in the spring so I keep eating at the same deficit but add lots of no calorie hot tea.

CountryGirl8542

I just add more layers of clothing. They will be coming off in the spring so I keep eating at the same deficit but add lots of no calorie hot tea.

I like this tea idea! Thank you.

socajam

Hey there!!

It is currently -30 C (-22 F) where I live and I am constantly cold (even with tons of layers on.... you can only wear so many layers before you can't bend) and I am hungry all the time! I have heard that your body burns more calories in the winter to keep warm... so I am wondering... have any of you upped your calorie intake for the winter??

I am like you, really feel the cold in winter. What I would suggest is to make yourself a big pot soup to keep in the fridge - onions, carrots, turnips, sweet potato, okra, spinach, squash or pumpkin (and other vegetables of your choice) and for protein use meat or chicken - as a non neater eater, I use fish. I find this helps to curb my appetite, otherwise I would be eating all the time. I some times have the soup for breakfast.

nytrifisoul

Hey there!!

It is currently -30 C (-22 F) where I live and I am constantly cold (even with tons of layers on.... you can only wear so many layers before you can't bend) and I am hungry all the time! I have heard that your body burns more calories in the winter to keep warm... so I am wondering... have any of you upped your calorie intake for the winter??

I am like you, really feel the cold in winter. What I would suggest is to make yourself a big pot soup to keep in the fridge - onions, carrots, turnips, sweet potato, okra, spinach, squash or pumpkin (and other vegetables of your choice) and for protein use meat or chicken - as a non neater eater, I use fish. I find this helps to curb my appetite, otherwise I would be eating all the time. I some times have the soup for breakfast.

yes food like soup will curb your appetite just like any food will. also if your eating said soup all the time, you are technically still eating all the time.

endoftheside

I've been exercising more. Really vigorous exercise warms me up nicely for a while. Really WANT to eat more but I'm on a pretty slim deficit right now as is.

gk03ub

I don't eat more, I just eat differently. Now is the time to enjoy healthy comfort foods like soups, potatoes, chilli, stews, and whatever else you might enjoy. I also sip on hot water throughout the day instead of cold water.

MayaSPapaya

I've never heard of eating more because of being cold. Your body may burn a few more calories, but I don't think it's any excuse to eat more.

MorganBody

Unless you are a bear, 10/10 do not recommend.lol

With that said,just try to eat warmer foods & drink tons of tea.

_John_

IIRC we actually burn fewer calories in winter due to being overall less active, and also the cold is offset by more insulinating layers so that is a wash.

i read that somewhere and it stuck, so I'm sure it's true.

wheird

IIRC we actually burn fewer calories in winter due to being overall less active, and also the cold is offset by more insulinating layers so that is a wash.

i read that somewhere and it stuck, so I'm sure it's true.

The first part may be true, but we burn more calories in the cold due to the shiver reflex.

_John_

I think the point of what I was making up is that our bodies are not really that "cold" due to us wearing more clothers. Now sure, if we go streaking in the cold we're going to burn more calories in a cold environment than a more comfortable tempature to be naked.

wheird

I think the point of what I was making up is that our bodies are not really that "cold" due to us wearing more clothers. Now sure, if we go streaking in the cold we're going to burn more calories in a cold environment than a more comfortable tempature to be naked.

So to lose weight I need to be naked more? In.

_John_

as long as you don't count losing appendages as weight loss....

garbagedog

To keep warm at work during the winter, I pedal on an under-desk mini-bike. It's the best space heater I've ever invested in!

socajam

Hey there!!

It is currently -30 C (-22 F) where I live and I am constantly cold (even with tons of layers on.... you can only wear so many layers before you can't bend) and I am hungry all the time! I have heard that your body burns more calories in the winter to keep warm... so I am wondering... have any of you upped your calorie intake for the winter??

I am like you, really feel the cold in winter. What I would suggest is to make yourself a big pot soup to keep in the fridge - onions, carrots, turnips, sweet potato, okra, spinach, squash or pumpkin (and other vegetables of your choice) and for protein use meat or chicken - as a non neater eater, I use fish. I find this helps to curb my appetite, otherwise I would be eating all the time. I some times have the soup for breakfast.

yes food like soup will curb your appetite just like any food will. also if your eating said soup all the time, you are technically still eating all the time.

That is true, but for me I find eating something hot like soup helps keep me full longer, thus eating less and keep me warm at the same time. I have to do what works for me to stop the winter weight, nothing else works

This also depends on how the soup is made. It is going to be high in sodium and fat? I can eat three bowls of my soup per day and still be within my calories.

MinnieInMaine

If you're hungry all the time, it may be time to re-assess your calorie goals and what you're eating.

Not sure how much you have to lose so here's a good guide for setting the weekly weight loss goal:

If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

As far as what you're eating, generally lean protein and healthy fats and fiber will keep you full longer. Again, no idea what your'e eating as your profile and diary are private so hard to give specific advice. If you're exercising, make sure you eat back at least half of earned calories.

I also find exercising keeps me warmer. Since I've lost most of my excess fat, I've had a harder time acclimating when the cold weather hits but if I get up and move around more, I tend to be much warmer.

nytrifisoul

That is true, but for me I find eating something hot like soup helps keep me full longer, thus eating less and keep me warm at the same time. I have to do what works for me to stop the winter weight, nothing else works

This also depends on how the soup is made. It is going to be high in sodium and fat? I can eat three bowls of my soup per day and still be within my calories.

Ok, I just wanted to make sure you were aware there is no such thing as a negative calorie foods. Too many wack jobs posting about these calorie free/weight loss soups.

Confuzzled4ever

I'm always cold now.. i wear 2 jackets and sweater and I drink tea and coffee and wear thermals and heavy socks... My co workers laugh at me cause i wear a jacket at my desk all day long.

I don't care.. i'm warm. that's all i want.

mazmataz

Always freezing these days! The only difference to my intake is that my milk consumption has gone up by about 1/2 a cup a day because of all of the good old english breakfast tea that I've been drinking to keep warm. All the more protein I guess!

As much as I would love to do it like a bear i.e. eat 10000 calories a day for three weeks and then sleep for six months, I don't think we're built for that....although it would be awesome!

TheBoldCat

Yes the more fat layers you wear the warmer you will be.

this

FarTooJones

I've learned my indoor bike is a good way to warm up when its cold out instead of cranking the heat. My problem will be staying away from the homemade hot cocoa mix.

cwolfman13

You don't burn significantly more calories just because it's winter and cold out...it's pretty irrelevant. That said, if you're hungry all of the time then you may need to reassess your intake..perhaps your deficit is too aggressive, especially if you've already lost weight.

Otherwise I'd just say that the colder air, cloudy conditions, dark, dark, dark...well, that all just makes you kinda want to sit around eating comfort food...which often tends to be calorie dense...and of course, many people lose motivation to workout as well. So it might not really be hunger...just wanting that comfort food you've grown accustomed to.

BrendaLee

I'm hungrier and crave heartier foods in the fall/winter. I don't think it has anything to do with my body burning more calories, since I'm indoors in a well-heated room 99.9% of the time. I have no idea if there's some biological reasoning behind it or if it's more psychological, but I've upped my calories by 150, either way.

suziepoo1984

yeah- it's called bulking.

This....

Yes the more fat layers you wear the warmer you will be.

...and this.

Your body burns a couple more calories when extremely cold to maintain body temperature, but it's not really anything that would be measurable. Maybe an extra 10 calories a day? Unless you're standing outside naked, then it might go into overdrive, but at that temperature you'd be dead in about 2 minutes anyway.

:laugh:

Timshel_

For me, abs-o-freakin-lutely. My body starts craving comfort foods and sweets like you wouldn't believe. Wife calls me the winter bear looking to fatten up for hibernation.

I usually gain 5-10 pounds in the month and a half between Turkey Day and Xmas.

Cinloykko

i want to eat more in the winter too... and it def makes it hard not to when there are so many holidays in the way.
However, ive learned to just switch my foods. more soups!!!!

CountryGirl8542

Hey there!!

It is currently -30 C (-22 F) where I live and I am constantly cold (even with tons of layers on.... you can only wear so many layers before you can't bend) and I am hungry all the time! I have heard that your body burns more calories in the winter to keep warm... so I am wondering... have any of you upped your calorie intake for the winter??

I am like you, really feel the cold in winter. What I would suggest is to make yourself a big pot soup to keep in the fridge - onions, carrots, turnips, sweet potato, okra, spinach, squash or pumpkin (and other vegetables of your choice) and for protein use meat or chicken - as a non neater eater, I use fish. I find this helps to curb my appetite, otherwise I would be eating all the time. I some times have the soup for breakfast.

Thanks!!! I really like this idea. I actually heard that people who eat lots of low calorie soups stay full longer because your body cannot get rid of the liquid as fast as it can when you eat solid food. I will have to make myself a big pot of stew this weekend and freeze a bunch.