The dip in temperature accompanied by cold winds, not only forces us to put on more clothes but also makes us eat more. You might have noticed yourself that with the change in season, you binge eat and succumb to unhealthy cravings. Even though you may not feel hungry physically, your mind continuously asks for food. We often find ourselves munching on snacks mindlessly and in the end worry about unwanted weight gain.

As per researches, your genetics might be responsible for this but there are some other reasons as well. Here are 3 reasons why people overeat in winters.

With the drop in temperature, our body has to fight harder to keep itself warm. And so it requires more calories to produce energy. When this happens, our mind sends a signal to the brain to put on more clothes and eat more calorie-loaded food. At this point, we even forget that we are overeating.

People generally tend to drink less water in winters, which leads to dehydration. This problem is quite common during this season. The drying heat of room heaters and layers of clothes also makes our body dehydrated. Our body actually needs water, but we confuse our thirst with hunger and eat more food.

Winter blues is really a thing! The cold weather is a perfect recipe for sadness. Studies suggest that a significant number of people suffer from this Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and this makes them eat more. People turn to food for some comfort during winters.

If you are worried about gaining weight because of all the extra eating, then here are some tips for you:

-Eat healthy soups and low-calorie dishes. Try to include winter vegetables and fruits in your diet.

-Even if you are snacking between your meals, try to include healthy and low-calorie foods in your diet.

-Portion control is a very important thing. Do not fill your plate with multiple food items at a time.

-If you think you are suffering from winter blues then take necessary steps or seek professional help.

-Exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes every day.

Excerpt from:
3 valid reasons why we tend to overeat in winters - Times of India