How Does Temperature Affect Your Appetite? The Science Behind Seasonal Cravings

December 20, 2025 •

5 min read

According to a study involving soldiers, troops in the tropics ate roughly 3,100 calories per day, while those stationed in the Arctic consumed around 4,900 calories. This stark difference illustrates a clear connection between ambient temperature and food intake, directly answering the question, how does temperature affect your appetite? Our body's natural drive to maintain a stable internal temperature plays a significant role in regulating our hunger signals and dietary needs throughout the year.

Quick Summary

The body's natural thermoregulation process profoundly impacts hunger signals. In cold weather, the body increases energy expenditure to stay warm, stimulating appetite for more calorically-dense foods. Conversely, in hot weather, the body suppresses hunger to reduce heat generated by digestion. Hormonal changes and psychological factors also influence seasonal eating patterns.

Key Points

Thermoregulation is Key: The body adjusts appetite to manage its core temperature, suppressing it in the heat and increasing it in the cold.
Increased Cold Weather Hunger: In winter, the body burns more calories to generate heat through shivering and activating brown fat, triggering a greater need for food.
Reduced Hot Weather Appetite: In summer, the body dampens hunger to minimize the internal heat produced by digestion, focusing instead on cooling.
Hormones Signal Changes: Hormones like leptin (satiety) and ghrelin (hunger) respond to temperature, with leptin potentially higher in heat and ghrelin increasing in cold.
Seasonal Food Preferences: The physiological response drives behavioral changes, leading to cravings for hearty, warm foods in cold weather and light, hydrating foods in hot weather.
Stay Hydrated Year-Round: Hydration is crucial in both seasons, as dehydration can affect appetite and digestion in hot weather and is often neglected in cold weather.

The Physiological Link Between Temperature and Hunger

The intricate relationship between external temperature and our internal hunger signals is a fascinating aspect of human biology. This connection is primarily governed by the body's need for thermoregulation, the process of maintaining a stable internal temperature. When the body is subjected to a temperature outside its ideal range, it makes automatic adjustments that directly influence our appetite.

Appetite in Cold Weather: The Need for Fuel

When faced with cold temperatures, your body's survival instincts kick into high gear. It needs to generate more internal heat to maintain its core temperature, and it primarily does this by burning calories. This increased energy expenditure is the main driver behind your heightened hunger. The body's mechanisms to generate heat in the cold include:

Shivering: This involuntary muscle contraction is a high-energy process that quickly generates heat. The energy required to shiver triggers a biological need to consume more food to replace the expended calories.
Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) Activation: Also known as brown fat, this specialized tissue is highly effective at generating heat by burning calories and fat. In cold conditions, BAT becomes more active, leading to an increased demand for fuel that translates into a stronger appetite.
Faster Digestion: Some evidence suggests that cold exposure can speed up gastric emptying, meaning food moves from the stomach to the intestines more quickly. This might make you feel hungry again sooner, prompting more frequent meals to maintain energy levels.

Appetite in Hot Weather: Conserving Energy

In contrast, hot weather often leads to a noticeable decrease in appetite. The body's priority shifts from generating heat to dissipating it. Digesting food and metabolizing nutrients is a thermogenic process—it naturally produces heat. When it's hot, the body wants to avoid any activity that would raise its temperature further. Key factors contributing to reduced appetite in the heat include:

The Thermic Effect of Food: The energy required to digest, absorb, and metabolize food creates heat. To stay cool, the body subconsciously reduces its desire for food to minimize this internal heat production.
Redirection of Blood Flow: During heat stress, blood is redirected toward the skin to facilitate cooling through sweating. This means less blood flows to the digestive system, which can slow down digestion and lessen the sensation of hunger.
Dehydration: Dehydration, a common risk in hot weather, can affect your gut and impair digestion. Sometimes, the body mistakes thirst for hunger, but severe dehydration can also lead to a general lack of appetite or even nausea.

The Role of Hormones and Psychology

Beyond basic thermoregulation, hormonal and psychological factors also influence how temperature affects our appetite.

Hormonal Influence: Studies have explored the role of appetite-regulating hormones. Research shows that during heat exposure, concentrations of leptin (the satiety hormone) can remain higher, effectively blunting hunger signals. Conversely, in colder conditions, ghrelin (the hunger-stimulating hormone) has been shown to increase, driving up appetite.
Light Exposure and Serotonin: The seasonal change in daylight can also play a role. Shorter days in winter can affect serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, appetite, and sleep. A drop in serotonin can lead to an increased craving for carbohydrate-rich comfort foods.
Behavioral Adaptations: Humans have evolved behavioral responses to temperature fluctuations. In cold weather, seeking comfort and warmth through hearty meals is a learned psychological and social behavior. In hot weather, a preference for light, refreshing foods with high water content, like fruits and salads, is common.

Managing Your Appetite and Food Choices in Different Seasons

Understanding your body’s response to temperature can help you make more mindful eating choices throughout the year. Adapting your diet to the seasons can support your body’s natural rhythm and keep you feeling your best.


Feature	Cold Weather Eating	Hot Weather Eating
Body's Need	Increased energy to generate heat.	Reduced internal heat production.
Typical Cravings	Warm, hearty, and calorie-dense meals, like soups, stews, and heavy carbs.	Light, refreshing, and hydrating foods, such as salads, fruits, and cold beverages.
Thermic Effect	Beneficial, as digestion-generated heat helps with warming.	Avoided, as it adds unnecessary internal heat stress.
Hydration	Often overlooked, but important, as moisture is lost through respiration.	Critical for maintaining body function and preventing dehydration.
Strategy	Focus on nutrient-dense, warming foods and stay active to balance increased intake.	Prioritize hydrating foods and fluids; eat smaller, more frequent meals.

Conclusion: Listening to Your Body’s Internal Thermostat

Ultimately, the sensation of hunger is more than a simple feeling; it is a complex physiological signal influenced by both internal processes and external environmental cues. The fact is, our body is constantly working to maintain balance, and temperature is a key variable in that equation. By understanding how environmental temperature affects your appetite, you can make more intuitive food choices that align with your body’s natural needs. Next time you crave a heavy stew in winter or a light salad in summer, remember that your body is likely just adjusting its internal thermostat.

For more information on the intricate mechanisms of human thermoregulation, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides detailed resources on the physiology behind temperature regulation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507838/

Practical Tips for Year-Round Appetite Management

In Winter: Increase intake of warm, high-protein snacks to feel satiated and warm. Stay physically active to help regulate body temperature and metabolism. Don't mistake boredom for hunger.
In Summer: Focus on hydrating foods like fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Stay adequately hydrated with water and other fluids. Eat smaller, more frequent meals to reduce the thermic effect of food.
Mindful Eating: Pay attention to whether your hunger is genuine or triggered by environmental factors like temperature or habit. Ask yourself if you're truly hungry or just cold or bored.
Embrace Seasonal Variations: Instead of fighting seasonal shifts, adapt your diet. Enjoy hearty, warming meals in colder months and light, cooling foods in warmer months.
Listen to Your Body: Respect your body's signals. If you're genuinely hungrier in the cold, it's because your body needs the fuel. Just ensure your food choices are nutrient-dense.

Sources and Further Reading

Effects of Environmental Temperature Variations on Amount Eaten - NCBI Why do we feel hungrier in Winter? - Wellbeing and Nutrition Does winter affect my appetite? - Intercare Health Hub The Link Between Temperature and Hunger | Medium Why You Feel Hungrier in Cold Weather - Outside Magazine Brown Fat, Brown Adipose Tissue: What It Is & What It Means - Cleveland Clinic Does cold weather really make you burn more calories? Truth... - YouTube Has your appetite decreased? Hot weather can make you less... - YouTube As summer heat cranks up, our appetites may cool off - American Heart Association How Weather Impacts our Appetites - Cleveland Clinic Newsroom Expert explains why your appetite seems to drop in the summer - News 12 - The Bronx The Influence of Heat on Appetite-Regulating Adipokines - Juniper Publishers The effects of exercise and ambient temperature on dietary... - Nutrition & Metabolism 3 reasons you feel hungrier and crave comfort foods when the... - Healthy Food Guide Overeating in winter? 5 dos and don'ts to fight cravings - Hindustan Times As summer heat cranks up, our appetites may cool off - American Heart Association Avoid Overeating During The Chilly Seasons With These Tips - Women's Running What to Know About Seasonal Eating: Health Benefits And More - WebMD

Frequently Asked Questions

Your body works harder to maintain its core temperature in cold weather by burning more calories to generate heat. This increased energy expenditure naturally stimulates your appetite, leading you to feel hungrier.

Yes, hot weather often leads to a decreased appetite. Your body's priority shifts to cooling down, and since digesting food creates internal heat, your body instinctively suppresses your appetite to minimize heat production.

The thermic effect of food refers to the energy your body uses to digest, absorb, and metabolize food. This process generates heat, which is why your body eats less in hot weather to avoid overheating.

The seasonal changes in appetite and metabolism can affect weight. While increased hunger in winter might lead to higher calorie intake, reduced physical activity can lead to weight gain if not managed. Similarly, reduced hunger in summer is often balanced by higher activity levels.

Appetite-regulating hormones are influenced by temperature. Leptin, which promotes fullness, may be higher in heat, while ghrelin, which stimulates hunger, can increase in cold, driving you to eat more.

In cold weather, warm foods are often craved for comfort and their warming effect. In hot weather, cold, hydrating foods like fruits and salads are preferred to help cool the body. Listen to your body's cues for what feels most satisfying.

Focus on mindful eating, staying hydrated, and adjusting your diet with seasonal foods. In winter, opt for nutrient-dense, warming meals. In summer, prioritize hydrating foods and smaller, more frequent meals. Adjust your activity level to match your energy intake.