Weatherwatch: Calories and cold

  • Jump to comments ()
Children sledding this winter, Wollaton Hall, Nottingham. Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian

Stew and dumplings, apple crumble, stilton cheese and far too many chocolate truffles; as soon as the temperatures start to dip, most of us start to crave stodgy, rich cuisine. And as we pile on the pounds we realise that our animal instincts are not doing us any favours.

In the past these high calorie, fatty foods helped to see us through the cold winter months. They break down more slowly in the gut, releasing a steady flow of energy and raising the internal body temperature. For animals in the wild, high energy foods are still essential for surviving the winter. Bears gorge on carbs, to build up their fat reserves before they hibernate, while lively squirrels carefully stockpile nuts.

For most of us, our centrally heated houses, warm clothes and sedentary lifestyles mean that we can manage without the extra calories in the winter. But surely we deserve an extra mince pie after a vigorous snowball fight?

Unfortunately the cold weather alone won't make you burn any more calories, unless you don't wear your coat and start to shiver. However, the weight of the big boots, fleecy jumpers, padded coats and woolly hats, scarves and gloves do take their toll. For this reason the US army allows 10% more calories for heavily clad troops exercising in the cold. So be grateful for that Christmas jumper, pile on all your layers before you run outside, and enjoy your mince pie on your return.

Today's best video

Today in pictures

More from Weatherwatch

Our regular column investigating the stories behind the weather