Does temperature affect how much you eat? Unpacking the link between climate and appetite

October 11, 2025 •

5 min read

According to research published in Nutrients, energy intake is often highest in winter and lowest in summer, confirming that the answer to 'Does temperature affect how much you eat?' is a resounding yes. The physiological mechanisms that regulate body temperature are intimately linked with our hunger and satiety signals, leading to predictable shifts in our eating habits as the seasons change.

Quick Summary

Environmental temperature, through its impact on the body's thermoregulation, influences appetite, energy intake, and food preferences. Colder conditions often increase hunger for calorie-dense foods, while warmer weather tends to suppress appetite and favor cooling foods.

Key Points

Thermoregulation Drives Appetite: Your body's need to maintain a stable internal temperature is a primary factor influencing your appetite, which serves as a natural lever for managing energy intake.
Cold Weather Increases Hunger: In cold environments, the body increases energy expenditure to stay warm, triggering an increased appetite for calorie-dense foods, particularly fats and carbohydrates.
Hot Weather Suppresses Appetite: To avoid overheating, the body reduces appetite, as digesting food generates heat. This shift favors water-rich foods and emphasizes hydration.
Cravings Follow the Climate: Food cravings are seasonal; people often desire warming, hearty meals in winter and cooling, light foods in summer, reflecting the body's energy and temperature needs.
Beyond Temperature: Other seasonal factors, such as changes in daylight affecting hormones and variations in physical activity, also contribute to shifts in eating habits and caloric intake throughout the year.
Conscious Eating is Key: By understanding how temperature affects your appetite, you can make mindful nutritional choices, opting for balanced, sustained energy sources in the cold and hydrating, lighter foods in the heat.

Your body is a finely tuned machine, constantly working to maintain a stable internal environment, a process known as homeostasis. When it comes to temperature, this balancing act is called thermoregulation. A significant part of this process involves our energy intake, which is why the ambient temperature can directly influence our appetite and the types of food we crave. Understanding this connection can help you make more conscious dietary choices throughout the year.

The Physiological Connection: Thermoregulation and Hunger

At its core, the relationship between temperature and appetite is about energy. Food provides the calories needed to fuel metabolic processes, which, in turn, generate heat. This is known as the thermic effect of food. When the external environment is cold, your body needs to generate more internal heat to stay warm. Conversely, when it's hot, the body needs to reduce heat production and increase heat dissipation to avoid overheating. Your appetite is one of the key levers your body uses to manage this energy equation.

In cold conditions, your hypothalamus—the body's central thermostat—detects the drop in core body temperature and triggers various heat-generating mechanisms. One of the most effective ways to generate heat is by burning fuel, which is where your appetite comes in. This survival-based mechanism signals a need for more calories, causing an increase in hunger. Conversely, in hot weather, the body's primary goal is to cool down. Digesting large amounts of food generates metabolic heat, so the brain suppresses appetite to prevent overheating, especially for unacclimatized individuals.

Cold Weather's Impact: Increased Appetite and Energy Needs

As temperatures fall, many people notice a natural increase in their appetite and a desire for heartier meals. This isn't just a psychological phenomenon; it's a physiological response.

Increased Energy Expenditure: Your body burns more calories to produce heat, especially if you're exposed to the cold for extended periods. Shivering, for example, is a rapid muscular contraction designed to generate warmth and requires a significant amount of energy.
Calorie-Dense Cravings: The increased energy demand leads to a craving for energy-dense foods, often high in fats and carbohydrates. Your body instinctively seeks out meals like stews, rich sauces, and baked goods to provide the necessary fuel.
Hormonal Shifts: Research suggests that hormonal changes also play a role. Some studies indicate that cold exposure may increase levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, while others point to a decrease in leptin, which signals fullness. The overall effect is an increased drive to eat.

Hot Weather's Effect: Suppressed Appetite and Cooling Cravings

During heat waves, the opposite effect takes place. The body becomes more concerned with heat dissipation, making the heat generated by digestion counterproductive.

Appetite Suppression: Your appetite is naturally curbed to reduce the thermic effect of food. This means you'll likely feel less hungry overall, particularly for heavy, rich meals.
Thirst and Hydration: In the heat, your body prioritizes hydration. Dehydration can suppress appetite further and lead to nausea, so your brain encourages fluid intake over solid food.
Cooling Food Cravings: The appetite that does remain often shifts towards water-rich, cooling foods. Think salads, fruits like watermelon, and cold beverages. The appeal of an ice cream cone in July is no coincidence; it offers a momentary, cooling sensation.

Beyond Temperature: Other Seasonal Influences

While temperature is a major factor, other elements contribute to seasonal eating patterns.

Daylight Hours: The duration of sunlight affects circadian rhythms and can influence hormones that control appetite and mood. Reduced daylight in winter, for example, is linked to seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and increased cravings for carbohydrates, which boost serotonin.
Physical Activity: People in colder climates may be less active outdoors, while exercise is a common strategy for weight management and heat generation in winter. This difference in energy expenditure can also shift appetite.
Social and Cultural Factors: Holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, which are concentrated in colder months, heavily influence food intake and social eating patterns, leading to increased consumption.

How Temperature Affects Food Intake: A Comparison

This table outlines the typical differences in eating habits observed in hot versus cold climates:


Factor	Hot Weather	Cold Weather
Energy Intake	Lower overall caloric consumption	Higher overall caloric consumption
Appetite Drive	Reduced due to thermoregulation	Increased to generate heat
Food Cravings	Water-rich, cooling foods (fruits, salads)	Calorie-dense, warming foods (stews, fats, carbs)
Hydration Focus	High priority, can be confused with hunger	Less conscious focus on fluid intake
Macronutrient Preference	May shift towards higher carbs and lower fats	Often increases intake of fat and carbs
Hormonal Response	Possible decrease in ghrelin, increase in leptin	Possible increase in ghrelin, decrease in leptin

Making Conscious Nutritional Choices

Knowing how temperature impacts your diet allows you to be more mindful of your nutritional needs throughout the year. Instead of passively accepting seasonal changes, you can actively support your body's regulatory processes.

Here are some tips for staying in tune with your body:

In cold weather, prioritize nutritious fuel: Opt for balanced, warming meals that provide sustained energy. Instead of relying on simple carbohydrates, choose complex carbs like sweet potatoes and whole grains, along with lean proteins and healthy fats. Enjoy nourishing soups and stews. Remember that increased activity can help burn some of the extra calories.
In hot weather, focus on hydration and nutrient density: Listen to your thirst cues, but don't confuse thirst with hunger. Choose foods with high water content, like fruits, vegetables, and hydrating soups. If your appetite is low, consider smaller, more frequent meals. It's still important to get adequate protein and fiber, even if you eat less overall.

Conclusion: Tuning into Your Body's Needs

The connection between environmental temperature and eating habits is a fascinating example of your body's intricate and adaptive nature. From the deep physiological mechanisms of thermoregulation to hormonal fluctuations and psychological factors, temperature plays a significant role in how and what we eat. By understanding this relationship, you can be more intentional about your nutrition, ensuring you fuel your body appropriately no matter the season. The key is to listen to your body's signals and make balanced, conscious choices, supporting your wellness year-round.

For more insight into the physiological factors that influence appetite, you can explore research from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Frequently Asked Questions

In winter, you feel hungrier because your body expends more energy to maintain its core temperature in colder environments. This increase in calorie burning stimulates your appetite, prompting you to seek out more food for fuel.

Yes, hot weather tends to suppress your appetite. Digestion produces heat, and in hot conditions, your body attempts to limit heat production by reducing your desire for food, especially heavy, caloric meals.

Yes, it is a normal physiological response. As temperatures drop, your body seeks warming, energy-dense foods to generate heat, leading to cravings for hearty, high-calorie meals rich in fats and carbohydrates.

In hot weather, your body prioritizes staying cool and hydrated. Cravings shift toward foods with high water content, like fruits and salads, as these are refreshing and don't require as much metabolic heat to digest.

To manage seasonal appetite changes, focus on mindful eating. In the cold, opt for nutrient-dense, warming meals to satisfy hunger. In the heat, prioritize hydration and lighter, more frequent meals to maintain energy without overheating.

Yes, research shows that fewer daylight hours in winter can affect your circadian rhythms and hormone levels, including serotonin. These hormonal shifts can influence mood and lead to increased cravings for carbohydrates, which can boost serotonin.

Thermoregulation is the process by which your body regulates its core temperature. Part of this process, called adaptive thermogenesis, involves adjusting calorie burning and using food to produce heat. Eating provides the fuel for this heat production, making appetite an integral part of thermoregulation.