4 guidelines for winter eating
Winter is the time when we all seem to lose our healthy warm-weather motivations. As the jumpers layer on, so do the extra kilos and it’s hard to fight our biological urge to bulk up for the colder months.
To break your winter hibernation pattern, try following these four guidelines to master healthy winter eating.
1. Beware of white foods
Comforting, white carbohydrate-laden foods are full of refined sugars and promote weight gain. As they are digested quickly, they also cause your blood-sugar and insulin levels to spike. Now is the time to make the switch to nutritious, wholegrain choices, including whole oats, quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, wholegrain pasta and grainy breads.
2. Drink lots of water
Air conditioning and heaters can be very dehydrating. Be sure to drink two litres of water a day – and herbal teas count too.
3. Eat protein with every meal
Eat good-quality, low-fat protein at each meal. Protein foods have a low GI and help to stabilise blood-sugar levels, which in turn will help curb sugar cravings and prevent you snacking on sugary, carbohydrate foods.
4. Eat more soup
We don’t need to be told twice! Having a small bowl of low-calorie soup before your main meal will not only help you manage your weight, but also increase your vegetable intake.
What’s your favourite food to cook in winter? Let us know in the comments below.
Related links:
The food scraps you should be eating
Foods that make you lose weight
Do we really put on weight over the winter months?