Cold weather doesn't necessarily mean more calories. Experts say it depends on lifestyle and indoor habits.
Cold weather and eating habits
When temperatures drop, fondue and hearty dishes become more common on French tables, but doctors suggest that the answer to whether one should eat more in cold weather depends on factors often overlooked.Expert opinion on calorie needs
According to Arnaud Cocaul, a nutritionist doctor and author of L'âlez du lest, mangez en paix, cited by Le Parisien, the body does not necessarily require more calories when it is cold if individuals live in heated buildings and wear warm clothing.Energy expenditure in cold
The Cleveland Clinic also estimates that energy expenditure increases only slightly in cold weather, with the effect remaining limited. The real answer, therefore, depends mainly on one's daily life.Body's thermoregulation process
The human body must maintain an internal temperature around 37 °C, a process known as thermoregulation. When the air is cold, it increases heat production slightly, a phenomenon called thermogenesis.Indoor activity and caloric needs
The Cleveland Clinic explains that this additional energy expenditure remains modest for a person who spends their day indoors.Balanced diet recommendations
Arnaud Cocaul notes that caloric needs do not differ much between autumn and winter if individuals do not work long outdoors and sleep warm. Doctor Faïza Bossy, interviewed by Allo Docteurs, emphasizes aligning food intake with energy expenditure. A balanced plate follows the rule of one-third proteins, one-third carbohydrates, and one-third vegetables.
