Cold weather and appetite

[ny biker]

This was posted on the Nissan/Master the Shift Facebook page. I'd like to see more about this Thermic Effect of Food to see just how much eating protein can raise your body temperature relative to carbs and fats.

I do notice a change in what I feel like eating in fall/winter vs. late spring and summer.


Cold weather and appetite
November 17, 2010
By Ryan Kohler

Last week we focused on how cold weather training and racing can leave you pretty dehydrated as we warm the cold air coming in and expel that moisture on the exhalation. This time I want to touch on how our appetite is affected by the cold. Have you ever noticed how we tend to have the desire to eat more calories and specifically more fat/protein-rich foods in the winter? That’s not entirely a psychological thing, but it does play a role. We actually do see a slight increase in our metabolism with exposure to cold, but don’t take that to mean we can eat a ton of extra calories per day just because winter is arriving. With the amount of time we spend outdoors actually working out in the cold, the effect is minimal at best.

On the other hand, the foods we crave may go back to more of a primal instinct. I find that the chili-type foods are always tasty in winter, and maybe that’s because of the higher protein content. Physiologically, we have this thing called the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF) that can be applied to carbohydrates, fat, and protein. Interestingly enough, protein has the highest TEF, which means that it causes our bodies to work harder to metabolize the food. Whenever we metabolize food, we have to go through various chemical reactions, which in the end produce heat. With a high TEF value, we can expect greater heat production. By causing the body to work harder, we generate heat, therefore maintaining body temperature longer.

Back when I used to be a whitewater guide, we would always have a protein-rich breakfast before heading out on the water, especially for those early spring trips when the water temp was still in the low 40s. You didn’t want to be cold early in the day for that kind of weather, even with a wetsuit!

So as winter arrives, embrace any changes in your appetite. Take this opportunity to search out some new foods and experiment with recipes. You may be surprised at what you learn!

[PamNY]

I've been eating more protein before cold-weather rides, and including protein in snacks if I'm out long enough for a snack.

Many factors affect comfort in cold weather, so it's impossible to say for sure that protein helps, but something about it feels right and I'm going to continue.

Even if I'm experiencing a sort of placebo affect, it makes me happy.