Does Cold Affect Your Appetite? The Science Behind Winter Cravings

November 26, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2025 Cleveland Clinic report, cold weather is known to trigger increased calorie consumption as the body works to stay warm. This means that yes, cold weather does affect your appetite, prompting you to feel hungrier and crave richer foods.

Quick Summary

Cold temperatures trigger both physiological and psychological responses that can increase hunger and cravings. The body burns more energy for thermoregulation, and hormonal fluctuations tied to reduced sunlight can stimulate a desire for energy-dense, high-carbohydrate foods.

Key Points

Metabolism increases in the cold: Your body burns more calories for thermoregulation, prompting the brain to signal for increased energy intake.
Hormonal changes impact cravings: Reduced sunlight can lower serotonin levels, leading to cravings for high-carbohydrate, comfort foods.
Psychological factors play a role: Comfort eating, boredom, and a more sedentary lifestyle in colder months contribute to an increased appetite.
Not all studies agree: Research on appetite changes with cold exposure shows variability, with some studies finding no significant increase in food intake, especially in controlled, short-term settings.
Mindful eating is key: Balancing your diet with nutrient-dense foods, staying active, and getting some sun can help manage seasonal appetite changes healthily.
Evolutionary instincts persist: The drive to consume more energy-dense foods in winter is a remnant of an ancient survival mechanism for storing fat against potential food scarcity.

The Physiological Drive to Eat More in the Cold

Your body is a finely tuned machine, constantly working to maintain a stable internal temperature of around 98.6°F (37°C). When exposed to cold, a process called thermoregulation kicks in, causing your metabolism to increase in order to generate heat. This increased energy expenditure is one of the primary physiological reasons behind a higher appetite during colder periods. The brain interprets this heightened energy need and signals the body to take in more calories to fuel its heat-producing efforts.

Non-Shivering Thermogenesis

One way the body generates heat is through non-shivering thermogenesis, a process involving the metabolism of brown adipose tissue (BAT), or brown fat. BAT is more active in colder temperatures and is especially effective at burning calories to produce heat. Studies have explored whether activating BAT could be an anti-obesity measure, but the accompanying increase in appetite can often counteract potential weight loss.

The Thermic Effect of Food

Another factor is the thermic effect of food (TEF), or the energy required for digestion, absorption, and metabolism of nutrients. The act of eating generates a small amount of heat in the body. While this effect is relatively modest, the body's craving for warm food, like soups and stews, during cold weather can contribute to an overall feeling of warmth and satisfaction, further tying food intake to temperature regulation.

The Hormonal and Psychological Connections

Beyond simple energy needs, several hormonal and psychological factors play a significant role in how cold weather influences your appetite and food choices.

Serotonin and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

Shorter, darker days in winter mean less exposure to sunlight, which can lead to a drop in serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep. Lower serotonin levels are linked to cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods, which can temporarily boost serotonin production. For individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this craving can be particularly intense, leading to significant changes in eating patterns.

The Impact of Lifestyle Changes

Cold weather often leads to a more sedentary lifestyle, with people spending less time outdoors and more time cooped up inside. This reduction in physical activity can impact mood and energy balance. Additionally, boredom or emotional factors can contribute to overeating, a phenomenon sometimes referred to as comfort eating. The cultural association of winter with hearty, comforting meals also provides a psychological push toward richer, more calorie-dense food options.

Comparison of Cold vs. Warm Weather Eating Habits


Factor	Cold Weather Eating Habits	Warm Weather Eating Habits
Metabolic Rate	Increased due to thermoregulation.	Stable or slightly lower.
Appetite	Often increased, especially for energy-dense foods.	Often suppressed or less intense due to the body's need to avoid overheating.
Food Cravings	High-carbohydrate and fatty foods (comfort foods) are common.	Lighter, less calorie-dense foods like fruits and salads are preferred.
Energy Intake	Studies show a potential increase in daily calorie consumption.	Tends to be lower overall as the body seeks to avoid generating excess heat.
Hormonal Influence	Serotonin levels may drop due to less sunlight, increasing carb cravings.	Sunlight exposure supports stable serotonin levels.

Managing Winter Appetite Healthily

While the impulse to eat more in the cold is a natural response, it doesn't have to lead to unhealthy eating patterns. Being mindful of these shifts can help you manage your diet effectively.

Here is a list of strategies for a balanced winter diet:

Prioritize Nutrient-Dense Meals: Instead of relying solely on carb-heavy comfort foods, focus on meals rich in protein and fiber, like stews with lean meat and lentils. These can provide sustained energy and a feeling of fullness.
Incorporate Warm Foods: Enjoying warm beverages and hot meals like soups and curries can satisfy the psychological need for warmth without excess calories.
Stay Active: Regular physical activity, even indoor exercises like yoga or home workouts, helps regulate metabolism and mood, counteracting the effects of a sedentary winter lifestyle.
Get Sunlight Exposure: Maximizing your daily dose of sunlight, even on cold days, can help support serotonin levels and improve mood.
Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can sometimes be mistaken for hunger. Staying well-hydrated is crucial, and warm herbal tea can be a great option.

Conclusion: Your Body's Adaptive Response

Ultimately, the feeling that cold affects your appetite is a combination of physiological and psychological factors. Your body is biologically hardwired to seek more fuel to maintain its temperature in colder environments, a vestige of our evolutionary past. Coupled with hormonal changes from reduced sunlight and behavioral shifts, this can lead to increased hunger and cravings for specific types of food. By understanding these drivers, you can make more conscious dietary choices to meet your body's true energy needs while staying healthy and nourished throughout the colder seasons.

Disclaimer: Consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary advice, especially if you have significant changes in appetite or mood.

Frequently Asked Questions

Cold weather, and the accompanying lack of sunlight, can cause a drop in serotonin, a mood-regulating neurotransmitter. Your body may crave carbohydrates and fatty foods, as these can temporarily increase serotonin levels, creating a feeling of comfort.

Your body does expend more energy to stay warm, which increases your calorie needs slightly. However, for most people living in temperature-controlled environments, this increase is not significant enough to justify excessive overeating. A slight boost in appetite may be more of a biological cue than a true energy requirement.

While mild cold exposure increases energy expenditure, its effectiveness for weight loss is debated. The increase in metabolism is often countered by a parallel increase in appetite, and the overall effect is highly variable among individuals. For most, it is not a realistic strategy.

Focus on nutrient-dense foods rich in protein and fiber to feel full longer, and choose warm beverages and meals like soup to satisfy comfort cravings. Stay active, even indoors, to help regulate your metabolism and mood. Making sure you get enough sunlight and staying hydrated can also help.

Yes, indirectly. Less sunlight can lead to lower serotonin levels in the brain. Since serotonin helps regulate appetite and mood, this decrease can trigger an increased desire for food, particularly carbohydrates.

Some studies, particularly short-term controlled trials, show that cold exposure can increase energy expenditure without a simultaneous increase in immediate food intake. This suggests that the body's appetite response is complex and can be delayed, potentially involving other factors like individual variability and psychological influences.

Eating warm or hot food can provide a psychological sense of comfort and warmth, which can be particularly satisfying in the cold. While the metabolic effect of eating is modest, opting for a warm, nourishing meal over a cold one can contribute to a feeling of coziness and well-being.