Hard to resist. Why do you crave carbs in the winter

The cold season is a real challenge for those who are used to watching their diet and keeping themselves in shape. After all, in winter, as a pity especially want sweets, confectionery or flour products. To understand what causes the seasonal craving for caloric products and how to deal with it competently, we help nutriciologist, nutritionist 安娜-贝尔舍涅娃.

Why does our body crave carbohydrates?

According to the ancient eastern tradition, attachment to carbohydrates, especially fast ones – sweets, fruits, bakery products – indicates an explicit or latent feeling of insecurity, lack of love and loneliness. This does not necessarily have to be evident in everyday life.

Carbohydrates are a kind of good friend who will always comfort and pity, give moments of love. Unfortunately, the “love” received with them carries unpleasant consequences both on a physical and emotional level. Physiologically speaking, fast carbs rock blood sugar levels, raising and lowering them. Just at the moment of a drop, we have a renewed urge to eat something else high in carbohydrates.

Winter aggravation: how does the season affect the need for carbohydrates?

In winter, vitamin D, an important component for the functioning of all body systems, is severely lacking. Unless, of course, you live somewhere in Bali, Thailand or some other warm, sunny place. Because of the stressful work and tense moments associated with preparing for the holidays, it is not always possible to maintain a calm, joyful state. This rocks the nervous system and, consequently, provokes compulsive “eating” problems.

Thus, the shock work of the hormonal system, vitamin D deficiency and rocking emotional background provoke a craving for fast carbohydrates. And this is, above all, sweets, confectionery and flour.

Simple ways to cope with seasonal cravings for carbohydrates

Replacing unhealthy carbohydrates with healthy ones isn’t the only step you should take when you have winter cravings for calorie-dense foods. To feel healthier and more comfortable, you need to:

Get tested for vitamin D

And also start taking it additionally and include in your diet foods that help stabilize healthy levels of the vitamin. Of animal products, these include:

• eggs;
• cod liver;
• caviar and seafood;
• dairy products (non-fat!).

Plant foods:

• Algae;
• seeds and nuts;
• unrefined vegetable oils.

Spend at least 30 minutes a day outdoors

Try to forgo car, subway or bus rides in favor of walking.

Don’t forget sports

Choose a physical activity that you truly enjoy. Dancing, running, swimming, yoga… And do it regularly! Let it be even a morning exercise of 15 minutes, but every day.

Eat berries

These are the most natural concentrates of vitamins and antioxidants. In winter, you can safely use fresh-frozen versions: cranberries, cranberries, currants, strawberries, strawberries, sea buckthorn.