Why You May Feel Cold After Eating Meals or Snacks

Reasons You May Feel Cold After Eating

It's not unusual to feel chilled after eating a meal or snack. This phenomenon, sometimes called "postprandial hypothermia," has several possible explanations. Here are some reasons why you may get cold after eating:

1. Temperature Change

Eating cold foods or drinks can temporarily lower your core body temperature. Things like ice cream, chilled salads, icy beverages, and popsicles may literally cool you down when consumed.

Likewise, stepping into an air-conditioned room from the heat outdoors can also trigger a sensation of feeling cold after eating.

2. Blood Flow Changes

Digestion requires increased blood flow to the stomach and intestines. This diverts blood away from the extremities, which can cause cold hands and feet after eating meals.

People with circulatory issues like anemia or poor blood flow may be more prone to feeling chilly from this reduced blood flow to the skin and extremities.

3. Insulin Response

Carbohydrate-rich meals trigger the release of insulin to transport sugar from the bloodstream into cells. This rapid influx of insulin may cause a dip in blood sugar.

Low blood glucose can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and release of stress hormones that make you feel cold and shaky after eating.

4. Metabolic Process

The thermic effect of food refers to the energy used digesting meals. About 10% of the calories you consume are burned through digesting, absorbing and metabolizing nutrients.

This metabolic process can create a slight drop in body temperature after eating, especially with large meals. Shivering may occur as your body aims to generate heat through metabolism.

5. Medical Conditions

Feeling cold after eating can result from certain gastrointestinal disorders like dyspepsia, ulcers, celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) or decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism) may also cause abnormal cold sensitivity after meals.

Diabetes, anemia, poor circulation and other conditions affecting metabolism and blood flow can also be factors.

Tips to Prevent Feeling Cold After Eating

Here are some tips to help prevent feeling chilled or shaky after eating:

Choose Warm Foods and Drinks

Opt for warm soups, teas and meals to counteract any potential core temperature dip from digestion. Avoid icy drinks or desserts.

Wear Layers

Having a sweater, blanket or jacket on hand can help you feel warm if needed. Wear socks and slippers to keep feet warm.

Stay in a Warm Environment

Eat in a well-heated room. Brisk temperatures outdoors or blasting A/C may trigger chilliness.

Have a Hot Beverage

Sipping something warm like coffee, tea or broth after eating helps regulate body temperature.

Try Ginger or Spices

Ginger and other warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom and cayenne pepper can help boost circulation.

Stay Active After Eating

Going for a walk or doing light exercise may help maintain body heat versus sitting stagnant after meals.

Eat Smaller Meals

Large meals pull more blood away from extremities. Eating smaller, more frequent meals puts less demand on digestion.

When to See a Doctor

Occasional and mild chilliness after eating is usually normal. But if this sensation is severe, persistent, or interfering with your daily life, see a doctor to identify any underlying condition.

Seeking medical advice is especially prudent if you experience other concerning symptoms along with feeling cold after meals, such as:

• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or fainting
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Fever or chills
• Unexplained weight loss
• Numbness in extremities

Make an appointment with your doctor if cold sensitivity after eating worsens, spreads to other times of day, or impairs your daily activities. This can help identify any underlying illness requiring treatment.

When Feeling Cold Accompanies Fever

Feeling chilled is normal when running a fever, despite the higher body temperature. Shivering and feeling cold often accompany fever as the body tries to generate more warmth to fight infection.

But why does fever cause chills and cold sensitivity? Here's a look at the mechanisms behind this common symptom:

Pyrogens Reset the Thermostat

Fever is triggered by pyrogens, substances released by the immune system to raise body temperature. Pyrogens essentially "reset" the hypothalamus, which regulates the body's internal thermostat.

Even though a higher temperature is set, the difference between the new set point and your current body temperature makes you feel chilled as your hypothalamus works to ramp up heat production.

Blood Vessel Constriction

To promote heat generation, your hypothalamus directs blood vessels near the skin to constrict during fever. This diverts more blood flow internally rather than to the extremities.

Less circulation reaching the skin allows released heat to be directed inward rather than lost outward, causing a cold sensation.

Impaired Thermoregulation

When fever is present, your body's mechanisms for controlling and regulating temperature become impaired. This makes it more difficult for the body to adjust to ambient temperatures.

As a result, you may feel cold from exposure to cool air or stepping outside normal temperature ranges that you can typically tolerate.

Increased Metabolic Rate

Fever ramps up your basal metabolic rate. This elevated metabolism and extra heat production can heighten sensations of feeling cold as more heat is lost from the body surface.

Shivering helps counter this heat loss, but also makes you feel chilled in the process as muscles rapidly contract and relax.

Tips for Managing Chills With a Fever

While feeling cold during fever is normal, the sensation can still be uncomfortable. Here are some tips to help manage chills when running a temperature:

Rest Under Covers

Staying bundled under blankets traps body heat to keep your temperature elevated. This helps minimize heat loss from fever.

Dress in Layers

Wearing loose, breathable layers prevents getting too hot while allowing you to add or remove clothes as needed.

Apply Warm Compresses

A warm cloth on the forehead, neck and wrists can help relieve chilly sensations and muscle tension from shivering.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water, broths and electrolyte beverages prevents dehydration from fever and chills. Avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Use Warming Herbs and Spices

Consuming ginger, cinnamon, garlic, cayenne pepper and other warming herbs may boost circulation and provide comfort.

Take Medications as Directed

Fever reducers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help lower temperature and relieve chills when used as recommended.

When to Seek Medical Care for Fever and Chills

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if fever persists more than 2-3 days for adults or 24 hours in children. Severe or prolonged chills also warrant medical evaluation.

Seek emergency care if chills accompany:

• High fever over 104F (40C)
• Confusion, disorientation
• Uncontrolled shivering
• Bluish lips, fingers or toes
• Difficulty breathing
• Stiff neck
• Non-stop vomiting
• Severe headache
• Rash

Notify your doctor promptly if chills or cold sensitivity continue after fever resolves. Lingering chilliness may indicate an underlying infectious or inflammatory condition requiring treatment.

The Takeaway

Mild and temporary chilliness is common after eating due to digestive processes and changes in blood flow. Feeling cold accompanies fever as the body works to ramp up temperature against infection.

While generally harmless, chronic or severe cold sensitivity may sometimes indicate an underlying health condition. See your doctor if symptoms persist or you experience other concerning symptoms along with feeling cold.

Otherwise, you can typically manage postprandial chills by choosing warm foods and drinks, dressing in layers, and avoiding brisk temperatures after eating. Simple lifestyle strategies can help prevent discomfort from feeling chilled.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.