Experts explain why we tend to put on weight in the winter

In winter, outdoor temperatures drop so low that we tend to stay indoors, giving in to the temptations of our favorite treats. And that means that the body has entered the “energy saving” mode, starting to store fat. Researchers guarantee that, during the winter, people usually gain between two and three kilos, something that is considered absolutely normal. But it is possible to interrupt the process, as long as the mechanisms that lead to weight gain are known.

It’s the awesome.club discovered whose fault it is that hunger that seems eternal, that appears as soon as the cold arrives.

Blame the extra pounds on fast diets. During the summer, people impose certain limits on themselves, as they are concerned with showing a slimmer silhouette in the hottest season of the year. In winter, the weight ends up increasing. This is because no one can stick to a strict diet for a long time. The desire to eat something very tasty (and greasy) during the cold days ends up speaking louder. In addition, the greater volume of winter clothes hides the extra kilos, giving many people the excuse to eat something unhealthy, but delicious.

But it is possible to rock a tight dress at any time of the year. To do so, follow a few rules: count calories and practice sports. Outdoor walks can also be considered a physical activity, and are super indicated for weight loss.

Evolution has also played its part in ensuring that people don’t lose weight in the winter. Our ancestors needed to put on weight to survive the low temperatures, and the same still happens to us: as soon as the cold hits, the body increases its insulin levels and accumulates fat. The brain, on the other hand, puts the nervous system into a kind of “hibernation”.

It is perfectly possible to deceive nature: avoid products based on white flour and consume less sugar. Replace unhealthy foods with protein sources. Fish, meat and nuts take away the desire to snack on something or other.

During the cold days, the feeling of discouragement ends up affecting many people, reducing the energy level. This condition is called seasonal affective disorder. According to doctors, this problem affects one in 10 people in the world. And it’s not just moods that are affected: seasonal depression causes people to overeat. Patients with this condition end up resorting to sweets and foods rich in carbohydrates (snacks and cookies), which leads to weight gain.

It is possible to fight the disorder. At home, keep the place brighter by leaving the curtains open. Already at work, try to sit near the windows. Stroll outdoors, even on cold, cloudy days. Important: do not take depression medication on your own. Be sure to see a doctor.

In the cold, people’s bodies go through what is known as “tactile hunger”. The skin is hidden under a thick layer of clothing, ceasing to receive pleasant sensations to the touch. At such moments, all that remains is a kind of itch, a certain feeling that the skin is stretching, due to the dry air and rough sweaters. And did you know that without skin-to-skin contact, people can fall into depression? From there, to exaggerate in food is a jump.

So you don’t get sad and get fat, don’t give up physical contact. Also, do activities that require getting your hands dirty: prepare meatballs (or some kind of food that requires contact with meat, to deceive the body), pet the cat or dog. It’s obviously good to hug your loved ones, as this increases the level of hormones that promote the feeling of happiness. Thus, the feeling of hunger ends up in the background.

Winter might seem like the ideal time to eat pickled foods. However, the consumption of this type of very salty product makes it difficult to control weight. This is because salt retains fluid in the body, in addition to generally triggering a ravenous appetite. Fast food, french fries and sausages have up to 20% of the daily recommended amount of salt, which is only 5 grams. Anything beyond that can lead to weight gain.

Excess weight does not only affect those who like to eat a lot. A lack of vitamin D causes the body to accumulate fat for no apparent reason. The picture is observed mainly among women: the less vitamin D in the body, the greater the chance of developing obesity. In winter, most residents of cold areas suffer from a lack of vitamin D, as its production is stimulated by sunlight.

If your skin is flaky, you sweat a lot at night and your vision is impaired, see a doctor: you may be lacking in vitamin D.

Residents of so-called developed countries watch TV for 242 minutes a day. And in winter, this time increases, as the cold takes over and the feeling that there is nothing to do arises. And when the person eats in front of the screen, they end up gaining 167 more calories.

Experts have discovered which are the most harmful TV programs for the figure: the cooking ones. Those who attend this type of attraction consume more sweets. Those who watch more programs about nature, for example, feel less of this type of desire.

Even on the coldest days, you can maintain your figure and even lose some weight. Below are some recent discoveries that help with these goals:

Reduce the ambient temperature. The heat in the workplace, combined with sedentary work, leads to obesity. Experts claim that spending a few hours under a temperature of 17°C causes the body to spend more energy, favoring weight loss. Crunchy food. Recently, nutrition experts have discovered something interesting, which has been dubbed the “crunch effect”. The conclusion is based on the sounds that food makes and that help us to control the intake of these products. Of course, making noise eating a bag of chips is a very bad idea. Already the crunch of an apple or a carrot prevents the person from overeating.

Ok, it’s the middle of summer (fortunately!), but we haven’t forgotten the feeling of winter days. And we confess: when we are cold, we cannot avoid thinking about the most delicious sweets. And you, can you stay in line when the cold comes?