As temperatures fall, our appetites grow – which is why we tend to eat more during the winter months. This seems to be an important fact to all of you who take care of your bodies, trying to stay fit for the summer. Seasons change, and that brings changes in your lifestyle, too. Here are some tips on how to adapt your diet to wintertime, in order to not to gain weight and put your health to risk.
Don’t Overeat During the Holidays
Eating healthy is extremely challenging for many people, especially during winter. There are many reasons to support this claim, and all those holidays are the most obvious one. Food connects people, and it is absolutely the most important part of the celebration, but you should be aware of the risks of overeating. Alcohol consumption and foods rich in refined sugars are extremely harmful to your health. Not only will you gain weight, but you will also do damage to your organism, which will need much time afterwards to recover from the shock, especially if you eat much less, and very different food, during the remainder of the year.
Avoid Comfort Food
An average person gains about one to two pounds each winter, which doesn’t seem like a big deal. However, it can become a serious problem, as you end up gaining weight continually year after year. One possible way of stopping this is avoiding comfort foods that are loaded with fats and sugars. High-calorie dishes such as mac and cheese make us feel cosy and warm, which is why they are our first choice as soon as temperatures drop. This is a completely wrong approach, because any food will do a service to your organism by raising your body temperature and boosting your metabolism, so grab a healthy snack instead.
Have a Healthy Snack
Instead of having a delish cheeseburger, just take snacks rich in protein and fiber between your meals. Peanut butter on the top of whole wheat crackers will definitely do the trick. These will keep your body warm, which is why you will crave less carbs. Also, citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits will provide you with your daily dose of vitamin C, which is crucial for keeping you healthy during snowy days. A vegetable soup will create a feeling of fullness, because its dietary fibers require a longer digestion process.
Cut Down on Calories Whenever You Can
If you really cannot live without tasty foods packed with calories, try finding less harmful solutions. Make a pizza with veggies and a whole wheat crust, instead of toppings loaded with fats. Try a sugar-free hot chocolate and cocoa with non-fat milk. All of these options are healthier than the original ones, and they definitely won’t give you a spare tire. However, sometimes you can feel less energized, so it will be the best for you to take some supplements, such as those by Legion Athletics. These will definitely help your body recover faster, giving it more strength and endurance. While you may not usually be the diet supplement type, you sometimes need to resort to extraordinary measures during the winter.
Drink a Lot of Water
Drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water per day during winter is crucial is you want to stop overeating. Many people frequently confuse thirst for hunger, which is why they eat instead of drink. Cold weather actually creates an illusion of not sweating, but staying in heated rooms actually makes you sweat and can even lead to dehydration. Winter is a perfect time for enjoying your favorite hot beverages, so have a cup of tea and let the magical smell of apples mixed with cinnamon spread all over your home.
As you can see, there are many ways in which you can change your diet during winter in order to stay fit. Eating healthy and working out regularly are the key to success. Avoid overeating during holidays by eating healthy snacks between meals and drink a lot of water, and you are halfway there. Good luck!
