{"id":6404,"date":"2024-12-07T16:21:27","date_gmt":"2024-12-07T21:21:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/?p=6404"},"modified":"2024-12-07T16:21:27","modified_gmt":"2024-12-07T21:21:27","slug":"the-science-behind-holiday-food-cravings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/2024\/12\/07\/the-science-behind-holiday-food-cravings\/","title":{"rendered":"The Science Behind Holiday Food Cravings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why Food Cravings Spike During the Holidays<\/strong><\/p>\n

When faced with last-minute gift shopping stress, changing weather, and hectic family visits, it’s common to turn to your two best friends for comfort during the holidays \u2014 Ben & Jerry’s.<\/p>\n

Why do food cravings spike during the holidays?<\/strong><\/p>\n

People are most likely consume large amounts of high-calorie foods while exercising the least during the fall and winter, research shows. This is in part because the holiday season sends a message to our bodies to eat a lot simply out of habit, Joan Salge Blake, registered dietitian and professor at Boston University, tells TODAY.com.<\/p>\n

Seasonal cravings and stress<\/strong><\/p>\n

After you eat your favorite winter treats or comfort foods, you may experience temporary stress relief, followed by fatigue or even increased anxiety.<\/p>\n

How to control cravings while keeping the holiday cheer<\/strong><\/p>\n

You don’t have to sacrifice your favorite holiday foods in order to keep your mind and body healthy this time of year.<\/p>\n

Find healthy ways to manage holiday stress<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instead of numbing the body through maladaptive coping mechanisms, nurture your body with stress-relieving activities.<\/p>\n

Incorporate some healthy holiday swaps<\/strong><\/p>\n

Food swaps that are enjoyable but also nutrient-rich are key to controlling cravings.<\/p>\n

Try eating mindfully<\/strong><\/p>\n

When you enjoy less nutritious food over the holidays, do so with intention and savor it to help delay future cravings.<\/p>\n

Sleep enough<\/strong><\/p>\n

Adequate sleep can help you control cravings. Research shows that a good night’s sleep can increase satiety, or feeling full and satisfied.<\/p>\n

Don’t fall into a shame cycle<\/strong><\/p>\n

Instead of counting calories, prioritize finding joy in celebrating the holidays with beloved friends and food.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the holiday season may bring about a spike in food cravings, it’s essential to prioritize mindful eating and stress management. By incorporating healthy habits and swaps, you can enjoy your favorite holiday treats without compromising your health.<\/p>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

Q: Why do food cravings spike during the holidays?
\nA: Food cravings spike during the holidays due to a combination of factors, including the release of stress hormones, lack of sleep, and psychological triggers.<\/p>\n

Q: What are some healthy ways to manage holiday stress?
\nA: Healthy ways to manage holiday stress include meditation, counseling, spending time with loved ones, and going for walks.<\/p>\n

Q: How can I control my cravings while keeping the holiday cheer?
\nA: You can control your cravings by incorporating healthy swaps, eating mindfully, and prioritizing exercise and adequate sleep.<\/p>\n

Q: Is it okay to indulge in my favorite holiday foods?
\nA: Yes, it’s okay to indulge in your favorite holiday foods, but do so with intention and savoring.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Why Food Cravings Spike During the Holidays When faced with last-minute gift shopping stress, changing weather, and hectic family visits, it’s common to turn to your two best friends for comfort during the holidays \u2014 Ben & Jerry’s. Why do food cravings spike during the holidays? People are most likely consume large amounts of high-calorie […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":6405,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6404","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-dining"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/media.nbcnewyork.com\/2024\/12\/GettyImages-2159582097.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&crop=0px%2C652px%2C6240px%2C3510px&resize=1200%2C675&w=1200&resize=1200,675&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6404"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6404"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6404\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6406,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6404\/revisions\/6406"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6405"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6404"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6404"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/new-york\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6404"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}