Yes, the weather might impact your appetite, but it’s not as clear-cut as you might think.

Or, on a chillier-than-normal day, your appetite may feel harder to satiate.

Turns out, it’s not all in your head.

a thermometer below freezing next to a woman looking in a refrigerator

Photo: Getty Images / SolStock / theasis

Here’s what a registered dietitian says about how the cold affects your appetite.

That said, there’s not a ton of evidence to back this up.

Another potential reason for increased appetite could be how the cold affects your hormones.

But the research on this topic is less than conclusive.

But eating or drinking something warm may have a bigger impact.

Because carbohydrates increase our production of serotonin, it’s natural to crave more carbs in the winter.

Fortunately for us, mood-boosting foods like carbs, fish, chocolate and berries can help all year round.

This strategy aligns with the principles of mindful eating, which we are big fans of here atEatingWell.

Also, a colder day in any season might leave your appetite feeling higher than usual.

Instead of stressing about increased hunger, honor that hunger with satisfying, nourishing foods.