How should we eat during cold weather conditions?

Cyprus International University (CIU) Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Chair (acting) and Cyprus Turkish Dietetic Association President Dr. Ayşe Okan, stating that the cold weather triggers the appetite functions, went on to say, “After eating in cold weather, our body temperature increases. It is for this reason that our desire to consume more food increases in colder temperatures”.

Okan noted that we unconsciously try to warm up by eating food, and continued, “In this way, we increase the amount we eat by trying to warm up”.

Speaking in relation to the foods we consume according to the seasons, Dr. Okan informed, “According to studies, it has been concluded that we do not have a need or a requirement for different foods due to the changes in seasons”.

Noting that consuming more vitamins (such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Vitamin A) and minerals (such as zinc, iron, and calcium), does not have any form of effect in terms of increasing the body temperature, Okan highlighted that as always, the best way to eat during the winter months is to consume a balanced and sufficient amount from all food groups.

Dr. Okan explained that eating from the grains and bread, meat and meat types, milk and milk products, and vegetables and fruit food groups, in a balanced manner, is an effective nutrition pattern in protecting against colds that may develop during the winter months.

Emphasizing that different from the spring and summer seasons, during the winter months the frequency of food consumption also increases, Okan went on to state, “More frequent intervals and smaller meals should be planned, by reducing the time between meals. In this way, the decrease in body temperature will be prevented and the risk of catching cold-based diseases will also decrease”.

Sharing the information that according to the number of research, nutrition patterns such as unbalanced nutrition, overeating, and especially high protein nutrition, are the most incorrect choices to make in the protection from cold weather, Okan concluded, "High protein nutrition increases the metabolic fluid (increasing our requirement for water) need, which in turn reduces our tolerance towards cold weather”.