Dietitian: Increased appetite in the cold season is nothing to worry about
Estonian nutrition consultant Kaisa Kopliste says a bigger appetite during the dark and cold months is natural, and that weight should not be the main measure of a healthy lifestyle. She advises against fretting over weight fluctuations or going on a diet without need.
Constantly monitoring your weight and feeling guilty about food can become additional sources of stress. That is the view of nutrition consultant Kaisa Kopliste, who spoke on the programme "Terevisioon" on Estonian public broadcaster ERR. In her opinion, a heightened appetite in the cold season is entirely natural, and body weight should not be the main criterion of a healthy lifestyle.
Season affects hormones
Kopliste explained that in the dark and cold period, daily rhythms and hormonal cycles change, including the production of melatonin and serotonin. This in turn affects the hormones that regulate appetite and the feeling of fullness. It is quite possible, she said, that people genuinely feel hungrier at this time.
Weight and body mass index
The consultant urged people not to watch the numbers on the scale too closely. A small change in weight does not always reflect the amount of fat: fluctuations are influenced by changes in water balance, and in women weight can also vary with the phase of the menstrual cycle. Stress also has an adverse effect on weight.
If weight rises unusually quickly and health problems appear, a doctor should be consulted. Going on a diet on your own is not advisable, as it can harm the body. Kopliste also advised against placing too much importance on body mass index, since it does not take into account age, the distribution of fat tissue or body composition.
Chocolate and diets
Kopliste said she would not scold anyone for eating chocolate and believes there is no need to fear it. In her words, when someone goes on a diet and cuts out sugar, the first thing to switch off, figuratively speaking, is the brain's prefrontal cortex, which allows us to think and make important decisions. Then there is not enough energy left to think or do anything. She stressed that people should not live in extremes.
The consultant added that an entire industry profits from people feeling bad about their bodies and feeling guilty over eaten chocolate.
