The truth about why you gain weight in the winter

The truth about why you gain weight in the winter

Do you gain weight in the winter? The reasons why might surprise you. Here’s how to avoid winter weight gain this year

By Jennifer Goldberg

Do you notice the number on the scale creep up during the grey in months between the holidays and spring? You’re not alone. Many of us bemoan dreaded winter weight gain around this time of year. But contrary to popular belief, there’s no scientific evidence to prove that we’re biologically predisposed to weight gain in the colder months. Unless you’re a bear, that is. “We do know that in [hibernating] animals there will be seasonal changes in hunger hormones, but there really is nothing to suggest that that’s true in people,” says Dr. Yoni Freedhoff, medical director of the Bariatric Institute in Ottawa and winner of the 2011Best Health Blog Awards for his blog, Weighty Matters.

That said, our behaviour in colder months may lead to winter weight gain for some of us. Here’s why:

We over eat during the holidays

Remember all those heavy meals and finger foods you consumed during the holiday season? The evidence may be sticking around long after the celebrating has stopped. Research shows that we tend to gain one or two pounds between late November and early January, says Freedhoff. That may be a lot less than you thought you’d gained eating Grandma’s stuffing, but studies also suggest that we often don’t lose that weight year after year. “It may be that when spring comes around, you see a few more pounds on the scale than you saw the year before,” Freedhoff explains.

We feel down over the winter months

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that typically affects people over the winter, may cause sufferers to eat more when it’s cold and dark. “We know that food itself is a comfort as far as mood goes, because it actually impacts the same circuitry of the brain as drugs do. So people use food medicinally to make themselves feel better,” Freedhoff says. Those who struggle with their mood in the winter may find themselves consuming more high-calorie comfort foods at this time of year.

We’re less active in the winter

This certainly isn’t true for everybody – winter sports enthusiasts may actually become more active during this season. But if you’d rather curl up under a blanket than hit the slopes when the temperature drops, you may be more sedentary during the winter months. While Freedhoff points out that exercise doesn’t burn as many calories as you may think (running an entire marathon only burns about a pound), studies show that people who are more active tend to eat less. 

If you are prone to winter weight gain, fear not – consciously changing your behaviour during this time of year can help ward off those extra pounds.

Here’s what Freedhoff recommends to avoid winter weight gain:

Cook meals from scratch

• 8 ways to avoid newlywed weight gain
• How to not gain weight during the holidays
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The simplest way to control your weight is to eat more home-cooked meals made from whole ingredients, Freedhoff says. “There is probably nothing more straightforward than markedly reducing meals out, packing lunches every single day and avoiding the processed food aisle,” he says, adding that meals made with whole ingredients such as lean meats, fruits and vegetables will almost certainly have lower calorie counts than processed and pre-made foods.

Seek help for depression

If you think your overeating is a symptom of SAD, you may need professional help, Freedhoff advises. Talk to your doctor about treatments such as using a light box to lift your mood, or seeing a therapist. You may also want to discuss medical options to help you through a low period. Managing your mood disorder may help get your emotional eating under control.

Modify recipes

When the snow flies, most of us are more likely to crave stick-to-you-ribs comfort food than lighter fare. There’s no need to deprive yourself of the foods you love, just look for ways to modify your favourite recipes to make them healthier. Check out these 10 healthy comfort food recipes for hearty meal ideas.