Winter is coming. No, this is not Game of Thrones, but it might as well be that because what we are going to talk about is something even scarier—the dreaded gain during winter.
As we all know, winter is the perfect time for merrymaking. After all, the weather is cold, holidays are everywhere, and everyone is feeling the love and spirit of generosity all around them. But along with the festive ambiance comes the temptation to eat more than we should and to gain more than we need. But of course, there is always a way on how you can protect yourself from this big dilemma. Here are some tips that you can try:
1. Choose Soups.
During winter, you would want to consume foods that will keep you warm. Of course, you can always go for hot cocoa or coffee, but these drinks are laden with sugar and unwanted calories. Soup can also give you the same warm feeling, but the best thing about soups is that they have fewer calories every serving. If you wish to feel full for longer, it is recommended that you opt for soups that contain fibrous vegetables. To make soups tastier, you can try adding cooked meat like salmon or chicken to it.
2. Maintain Right Vitamin D Levels.
During winter, we are at risk of vitamin D deficiency because we are less exposed to sunlight. The sad part is, lack of vitamin D has been associated with increased risk of experiencing weight gain because it is believed that vitamin D plays a role in regulating body fats. To get your much-needed vitamin D during winter, it is recommended that you eat more of vit D-rich foods like mackerel, salmon, and sardines. In addition to that, it is also recommended that you take vitamin D supplements.
3. Opt For Homecooked Meals.
Fast food and restaurant dishes are rich in calories because of the tasty ingredients that they have. If you wish to avoid these unwanted calories, it is recommended that you cook at home as often as you can. Aside from allowing you to avoid calorie-rich dishes, cooking your own meals will give you the opportunity to control the type of ingredients that will go into your meals. If you are a bit busy during the holidays, you can try preparing all your meals for the week during the weekends so you can just quickly heat them up all throughout the week.
4. Eat Foods That Have High Water Content.
If you wish to limit your unhealthy cravings, you have to make a way to make you feel full for longer. The best way to do that is to keep yourself hydrated at all times. One of the best ways to give your body the hydration it needs by eating foods that have high water content such as noodles, fruits, green leafy vegetables, and soups.
5. Always Choose Protein.
When you go to a party, you are presented with lots of food options, making it difficult for you to determine which to choose. When in doubt, you should always choose protein and avoid carbohydrates as they will just bring you empty calories. Protein will help you maintain a healthy weight as it has greater satiety and they can also help in boosting muscle growth too.
6. Eat Slowly.
When it comes to avoiding winter weight gain, the best thing that you can do is to practice mindful eating. This involves eating and chewing your foods slowly. This may be a bit difficult especially when there are plenty of dishes in front of your but rest assured, the struggle is worth it. When you eat slowly, you are giving your stomach time to send signals to your brain that it is already full, preventing you from overeating.
7. Keep Your Body Warm With Legumes.
Being exposed to the cold can bring stress to the body, and when the body is stressed, we tend to eat (a lot!) which will lead to unwanted winter weight gain. Legumes are great in warming your belly but more than that, it can also help curb your hunger and appetite. Eat legumes with green leafy vegetables to keep unhealthy cravings at bay.
Winter is coming, but it does not necessarily mean that weight gain should come with it too. With the tips mentioned above, you can surely keep weight gain at bay, making it easy for you to maintain your weight and shape for the summer season!
