Winter…
Daylight diminishes and chilly days escalate during this particular season. Some people adore the colder weather, while others despise it.
Winter is the time of the year that provokes different feelings. Staying warm and snuggly in front of a fireplace with delicious and comforting food to indulge in and spoil our senses with are definitely on top of most people’s list. It is also a time when our eating habits tend to change drastically and we start losing our sense of prioritising our body and health in terms of diet and exercise.
Healthy eating is important, not only for weight management, but our overall health as well. And it appears that as soon as winter strikes – or at least that first cold front – all our motivation and hard work of healthy eating that we built up during the summer months fly out the window.
This does not only just affect our weight as mentioned, but can also influence our immune system. And we know that it is quite common to catch flu or a cold when our immune systems are compromised.
So in order to stay on track with our eating habits throughout the entire year, there are definitely a few points to keep in mind and apply to our lives.
It is very evident that cravings increase during winter and sometimes controlling those cravings are extremely difficult for many people; especially those aiming to lose weight.
A great tip is to eat something comforting, but in a healthy form. In other words, have a warm and comforting meal or snack, but a healthy option. A few examples are stews, potato spuds (protein and vegetables fillings), protein-based dishes (crust-less quiche, egg based-dishes) and soups. All these will definitely give your body a warm hug, but there won’t be any feelings of guilt afterwards.
Appetite goes hand-in-hand with cravings. Our appetite seems to increase and we feel hungry almost constantly. The best way to control this, is to have regular meals (three main meals and two snacks) in between. But obviously they should be healthy and nutritious. Protein-rich foods and healthy fats should be included at our meals, as these foods tend to keep us full for longer.
Thank goodness there is such a thing as a healthy fat. And in winter-time, avocados are the rage. They are in season and can be enjoyed on warm whole-wheat toast as either a meal or a snack. It has also become popular to include avo’s at breakfast with an egg dish.
