If winter makes you crave parathas over salads, hot chocolate over smoothies, and “just one more snack” after dinner, it isn’t proof of weak willpower. According to hormone experts, it’s often a biological response. The colder months can quietly shift how the body regulates hunger, mood and stress, and for women, especially in their late 30s, 40s and beyond, these changes can feel far more intense.

Inputs by the Founder of MenoVeda and a Certified Hormone Coach suggest that winter overeating is less about discipline and more about hormones. Here’s what’s actually happening beneath the cravings.

Cold weather pushes the body into survival mode

As temperatures drop, the body prioritises warmth and energy conservation. In this phase, hormone signals that regulate appetite can change. Ghrelin, commonly referred to as the “hunger hormone,” tends to rise, making you feel hungry more frequently. At the same time, leptin, the hormone responsible for signalling fullness, becomes less effective. The result is a frustrating cycle: you eat, but you don’t feel satisfied for long.

This biological shift gets amplified by winter routines. Shorter days often mean less movement, less sunlight, disrupted sleep schedules, and heavier comfort-style meals. Put together, the appetite switch can feel stuck on high alert.

Cortisol is the real driver behind winter cravings

While hunger hormones play a role, experts point to cortisol as the biggest hidden culprit. Cortisol is the body’s primary stress hormone, and winter can raise it without you realising. Cold exposure, reduced daylight, year-end fatigue, work pressure, poor sleep, and even seasonal mood dips can all increase cortisol levels.

For women in perimenopause or menopause, cortisol can stay elevated longer because the body’s stress response becomes more sensitive during this stage. And cortisol has two major effects that directly impact eating patterns:

It increases cravings for quick energy foods, especially sugar and refined carbs.

It encourages the body to store fat, particularly around the abdomen.

So the desire to snack or reach for comfort food isn’t always “emotional eating.” In many cases, it’s the body’s need for fast fuel that arises under stress.

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Why do women experience winter overeating more strongly

Estrogen plays a crucial role in managing appetite, blood sugar balance and stress regulation. As estrogen levels begin to fluctuate with age, the body becomes more reactive to cortisol spikes. That’s why many women notice winter cravings come with a full package: bloating, fatigue, mood swings and stubborn weight gain.

Low sunlight also contributes. Reduced exposure to the sun often lowers Vitamin D, which impacts energy and immunity. Less sunlight can also reduce serotonin, the brain chemical linked to mood stability. When serotonin drops, food, especially warm carb-heavy meals, becomes the quickest mood boost.

What actually helps (and what doesn’t)

The solution isn’t to punish your body or cut calories aggressively. Instead, hormone experts recommend supporting the system so cravings reduce naturally:

• Eat warm, protein-rich meals to stabilise blood sugar


• Add healthy fats (nuts, ghee in moderation, avocado, seeds) to reduce cravings


• Don’t skip meals, as it can spike cortisol further


• Get morning sunlight whenever possible


• Move daily, even short walks count


• Prioritise sleep because it is hormone regulation in its simplest form

The winter reframe

Winter is not the season for guilt. It’s the season for nourishment. Cravings aren’t a character flaw; they’re feedback. And when you understand the hormonal truth behind them, you stop blaming yourself and start making choices that feel kinder, smarter and more sustainable.

Because when it comes to winter eating, balance beats willpower. Every single time.

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The post Expert Decodes The Reasons Why Women Overeat During The Winter Season first appeared on MissMalini.