Is there a science behind eating more when it is cold?

jo_marnes

It's bloody freezing here in Adelaide right now! I have been seeming to be hungrier lately and am wondering if it could be because it is colder?

I have a low body fat % (around 15%) and I always feel the cold so I wonder if this has affected my appetite?

Btw, I am not trying to lose weight, I am trying to take steps to increase a little. I've been trying to increase my cals to gain a little but don't want to get carried away telling myself to eat loads because of the weather, lol

jo_marnes

bump

iCupCakeNZ

depends, how cold is it

sarahrbraun

I think so...

In cave man times, our ancestors had to eat to excess in the fall to build up fat stores to survive the Winters when food was harder to get.

Also, you have lower body fat, your body doesn't have as much "insulation" so you would need more fuel for your body to burn to keep warm.

ZugTheMegasaurus

I've heard that lots of people do that. In fact, my mom always used to tell me I was weird because I actually eat less when it's cold but am ravenously hungry when it's blazing hot out. This past week, it was 100+ degrees here and all I wanted to do was eat (and not good foods either, pretty much chips and pizza). Fortunately, my boyfriend prevented me from going out and buying those things, but that was a tough week!

jo_marnes

bump

qofdisks

It is true. I have two outdoor dogs that endure 100 degree summer heat in plenty of shade with wet dirt and foliage. They eat half rations. I have to be careful not to feed too much kibble because it will go to waste and attract vermin.
In the winter, they eat one and a half rations plus a cup of homemade "dog" stew. I make a crock pot of meat scraps and bones with plenty of veggies with a little rice. We have sub-freezing temperatures and the dogs sleep in hay bales.
If you really want to lose weight, turn off your AC in the summer. I have experienced 30 lb summer weight drop when I was younger working outdoors.
Given our heated environment in the winter, it is best to be careful as always with your calories. If you were sleeping outside with the dogs and running around outside all day, you could perhaps eat more fat.