Big feed just cold comfort

MOST people will gain about three kilos this winter, with new research showing about 70 per cent of Australians change their diet during the colder months.

The research, commissioned by Australian Beef, revealed almost 50 per cent of Australians believe we need different foods in winter to feed our body and mind.

Around a quarter of the 1000 people surveyed admitted to choosing richer foods and having bigger servings.

Some 13 per cent of people said they believe the consumption of extra calories in winter is justified as their body burns it off trying to keep warm.

Accredited practising dietitian and nutritionist Jaime Rose Chambers said that was an “alarmingly large” number of people that falsely believed we needed to eat more in winter to help keep warm.

“Although this may seem the norm over winter, with modern advances, there is no biological reason to eat more when it’s cold,” she said.

“There is no reason we have to gain weight over winter.”

Ms Chambers said being huddled inside trying to stay warm and often feeling a little more “gloomy” meant we usually ate more food as the thermometer dipped.

“We tend to have cravings for less healthy options, choosing more takeaway options or using delivery services, rather than venturing out to pick up ingredients ourselves,” she said.