Why cold weather changes the foods you crave
By Trizer Lijondo, September 10, 2026As temperatures drop, many people notice a change in the foods they want to eat. During Kenya’s colder months, warm drinks, porridge, soups, stews and heavier meals can suddenly become more appealing than lighter foods.
While cravings are influenced by habits, emotions and personal preferences, temperature can also play a role in how the body responds to food.
Your body may be looking for warmth
Cold weather forces the body to work to maintain its core temperature. One of the ways it responds is by increasing energy expenditure through processes that generate heat.
Research published in the Endocrine Connections found that mild cold exposure increased energy expenditure in healthy adults, although the short-term exposure did not significantly increase the amount of food they consumed.
This helps explain why a warm meal can feel particularly satisfying on a chilly morning or evening. Foods such as hot porridge, tea, soup or a bowl of stew provide not only nourishment but also a physical sensation of warmth.
Why heavier and warm foods become more appealing
Cold weather can also influence the type of food people find rewarding. A 2024 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that exposure to colder temperatures increased preferences for warm and high-fat foods, while warmer conditions were associated with greater preference for cold and lower-fat options.
This does not mean everyone automatically needs to eat more when it is cold. Research on the relationship between temperature, appetite and food intake has produced mixed results, with individual responses differing considerably.
However, the combination of warmth, familiarity and comfort may make foods such as chips, fried snacks, stews, hot chocolate and other energy-dense meals particularly tempting.
How to respond to cold-weather cravings
There is nothing wrong with enjoying comfort foods during colder weather, but cravings can be balanced with nutritious choices.
Warm meals can include vegetables, legumes, whole grains and protein sources while still providing the comfort associated with cold-weather eating. Soups and stews, for example, can be prepared with vegetables and lean proteins, while porridge can be paired with fruit, nuts or seeds.
Understanding that cold weather may influence food preferences can also make it easier to distinguish between genuine hunger and simply wanting something warm and comforting.
Ultimately, cold-weather cravings are not unusual. They are influenced by a combination of the body’s response to temperature, food preferences and everyday eating habits.