Why do we crave comfort food when the weather gets colder?

It’s hard to believe it’s already October. It felt like just yesterday we were all soaking up the sun and cranking up the AC. Now, poolside hangouts are just a daydream, and our beloved summer wear has been packed up to make way for our fall sweater collection. The weather shift has some pretty big impacts on our environment. For starters, the lush green of summer gives way to the changing leaves of fall, which will soon (but hopefully not too soon) turn into snow on the ground. And when the weather starts changing, it affects more than just the temperature outside or how we dress for it; it also impacts our diet! 

If you’ve ever noticed yourself suddenly craving your go-to comfort foods when things get a bit nippy, you aren’t imagining it! There are some genuine reasons and biological functions behind this phenomenon. Let’s dig into those now! 

Your stomach knows what it wants (and will make sure to tell your brain)! 

It was recently discovered that our stomachs produce serotonin and dopamine, or “happy chemicals” (Duh, right? Who doesn’t get happy when they’re chowing on their fav food?) Although we may not realize it, eating is a complex interaction between the stomach and the brain. When these “happy chemicals” are released, it completely alters our mood, making us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

But eating isn’t the only way to release these neurochemicals. Dopamine and serotonin are also released when we bask in the sunlight or commit to some butt-busting exercise, all behavior that typically decreases during winter. So, when things get colder, your body’s way of seeking these chemicals begins to change. When we eat our favorite winter foods, we get a rush of that feel-good feeling we all crave. 

Blame evolution 

Things weren’t always so good for us humans. Way back in the day (like waaaaay back), all of the stuff that many of us don’t think twice about, like grocery stores, food delivery services, and yes, even housing and warm, fuzzy clothes, weren’t an option for our ancestors. They had to fight for their survival, and winter was no exception. To stay warm, ancient humans couldn’t just throw on a Northface, oh no. They had to bulk up their body weight to boost their chances of survival. This meant eating as many carb and sugar-heavy foods as they could find. 

Times have changed a lot, but that doesn’t mean that these life-saving formulary practices haven’t been stored in our biological functions. So next time you crave some garlic mashed potatoes, make sure you raise a spoonful for our human ancestors. 

Now that we’ve dug into some of the not-so-obvious reasonings behind our cold-weather eating habits let’s see what our menu has to curb these cravings! 

Craving-worthy food at Anthony’s

1. Garlic mashed potatoes

   1. Our garlic mashed potatoes are at the top of the list for a reason - who doesn’t love em’? And they just so happen to accompany the delectable dishes such as our Garlic Butter Sirloin Steak and our Monterey Chicken. Both will be sure to hit the spot!

   2. Pasta

      1. What better way to get rid of the cold-weather blues than with a heaping bowl of fresh pasta? We’ve got delectable alfredo sauce if you’re looking for something on the creamy side and a baked mostaccioli if you’re in the mood for a traditional red sauce. Whatever pasta your stomach is craving, we’ve got you covered!

      2. Homemade soups or chili

         1. Warm up with a bowl of our soup of the day or our texas chili. Both are homemade and absolutely delicious - you won’t be disappointed!

So, what are you waiting for? Come on down to Anthony’s to satisfy all your cold-weather cravings!