Nutritionist Elizaveta Vardanyan: one of the problems of the cold season is increased appetite and cravings for sweets.
Doctor Vardanyan touched upon the topic of increased appetite in the fall in an interview with Channel Five.
“The colder it gets outside, the stronger the appetite is, so in winter people usually gain weight,” the doctor noted.
Vardanyan explained that such a change is closely related to the evolutionary mechanism in the human body, according to which it begins to store fat, which helps to survive in cold conditions. The specialist clarified how dangerous increased appetite is in the fall.
“Usually, seasonal weight gain is not very high: around 2-3 kilograms. If such an increase occurs, but then in the spring or summer you lose weight, then you should not be alarmed. Another question is if it is more than 3 kilograms, and after the end of the autumn-winter period you cannot lose weight,” the nutritionist warned.
The expert emphasized that increased appetite, leading to a significant increase in body weight, may indicate compulsive overeating, severe stress (which is eaten away with “goodies”) or some other serious disorders in the body.
“In the fall, we start to feel sadder, more depressed. If you have been taught since childhood to reward yourself with food, then, of course, in this case, it will be the “cure” for the autumn blues.”
Vardanyan drew attention to the fact that there is no need to be afraid of increased appetite in the fall as such – this is a normal state of the body. But it is important to remember that it does not reflect the body's real need for food. Increased appetite, like cravings for sweets in the cold, is simply a reaction to discomfort due to climate change and a desire to console oneself. In order not to overeat, you need to stick to a balanced diet: it should contain enough clean, unsweetened liquid, fiber, protein, high-quality healthy fats. It is also very important to be able to provide yourself with psycho-emotional support – communication, having a hobby, as well as physical activity, sports are good for this.
Earlier, the MedikForum.ru portal wrote about the dangers of using Ozempic analogues.
Important! Information is provided for reference purposes. Ask a specialist about contraindications and side effects and do not self-medicate under any circumstances. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor.
Elizaveta Vardanyan Health nutritionist