Cold days lead us to some changes in eating habits. So, know what is the myth or the truth about weight gain in winter
With the onset of the colder season of the year, some changes in habits also begin, especially more food and less exercise. For this reason, there are many doubts about the winter weight gain.
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Do I have to eat more to keep my body warm? I don’t need to train so much, since the metabolism is more accelerated in the cold?
To understand what, in fact, happens to our body in winter, Claudia Chang, Physician and Postdoctoral in Endocrinology and Metabolism at USP, pointed out the biggest myths and truths surrounding weight loss and gain this season.
Myths and truths about winter weight gain
People gain weight in the winter because they are hungrier
Myth: When temperatures drop, the body needs more energy to generate heat and maintain a comfortable body temperature. Since our energy comes from what we eat and our energy stores, the body sends signals to increase hunger. However, this extra energy we ingest is spent on producing heat. The problem is when the consumption of food exceeds the real need of the body.
«At this time of year we tend to stay indoors more, because not everyone likes to face the cold on the street. This facilitates access to food (and the tendency is to opt for more caloric ones, such as biscuits, chocolate or bread).
The body needs more food in winter
Truth: Food serves as fuel for heat production in our bodies. Thus, the need for nutrition becomes greater to raise the body temperature.
According to the endocrinologist, animal studies indicate that there is an increase in food intake during exposure to cold temperatures. “However, this higher consumption is accompanied by an increase in basal metabolic rate (energy that the body consumes at rest), which maintains a balance and does not lead to weight gain.”
Winter is a great time to lose weight
Truth: Your metabolism speeds up during this time, as your body needs to produce more heat. This process activates mechanisms that stimulate the burning of accumulated fat, achieving an increase of up to 10% in calorie consumption. However, for this to happen, it is essential to maintain a balanced diet and not to overdo it with fondues and hot chocolate.
We can train less in winter, as the cold speeds up the metabolism
Myth: “With a faster metabolism, exercising will bring more weight loss results. Also because we must not forget that training the body is not just for aesthetics, but to maintain physical and mental health and, consequently, a good quality of life”, concludes Claudia Chang.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
