- by Kelly Miller
- 1 minute read
Why You’re Craving More Comfort Foods During the Winter!
Written By: Mairead, Registered DietitianDuring the summer, we often gravitate towards lighter meals, seasonal produce, and salads. During the winter, we often end up craving heartier comfort foods. Before you panic, these cravings aren’t necessarily a bad thing, but they are something a lot of people experience and try to fight. There are two main reasons this happens.
The first reason is because those slightly heavier, and often carbohydrate-heavy, meals can cause our body to produce more serotonin and dopamine in response. These chemicals help improve our mood. While this happens all year round, seasonal changes often impact mood, and we notice this difference more in the cold winter months.
The second reason is less scientific. Think about eating a big bowl of warm steamy chili in the winter. It’s a really enjoyable experience, and is probably literally warming you up. Now think about eating it in the summer months. When it’s already hot out, you’re probably just not as interested in something warm and heavy – that’s ok! The opposite would probably be true of a big salad full of seasonal fruits and vegetables. We’re going to be more satisfied with different foods at different times of year depending on the weather around us.
There’s no need to fight these cravings, but you can still eat balanced meals and meet your nutrition needs. If your favourite comfort food doesn’t have many vegetables, see if there’s a way to add them or include some on the side. Adding protein can also help keep you more full and avoid an energy slump from carb-heavy meals. If you find you’re often relying on comfort foods to boost your mood, it can be worth talking to a dietitian or therapist to find other coping strategies to get you through the winter months.
The bottom line: Comfort foods make us feel good and can make for satisfying meals! Seasons come and go, and it’s ok to lean in to seasonal cravings.