Winter is a time of year when people tend to put on weight the most; with the holidays and more time spent indoors, it can feel like it’s impossible to maintain a healthy weight during this time of year. One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight and be healthier, and if that’s your commitment this winter, you may wonder what easy ways to eat healthily will work for you. Keep reading for tips on eating healthy during the winter, so you look and feel your best all year long.
Winter Training
While hitting the gym might come to mind when you hear winter training, it’s actually around training yourself to eat healthily. If you struggle to avoid over-processed and sugary foods, you’re not alone and may need to train yourself to make healthier decisions. From checking in with your doctor to avoiding restaurants and meeting with a nutritionist, training yourself to eat more mindfully is the first step.
Grow Your Own
The easiest way to get the freshest and healthiest food possible is to grow it yourself. Though it’s wintertime and you can’t work in an outdoor garden, you can grow your food indoors. Whether you opt for a microgreens kit to get started or invest in a full hydroponic system to grow fresh produce, you will never regret the decision to start growing your food. You have complete control over the growing process and potentially harmful products put on traditional store-bought produce. While it may seem like a significant investment upfront, it will pay for itself in spades over the long run, not only in money saved but in excellent health.
Vitamin D is Essential
Vitamin D is something most people are deficient in, and during the winter, with fewer hours of sunlight, we are getting even less than we do during warmer months. Vitamin D-rich foods are the best thing to eat during the winter months. Excellent sources of vitamin D are salmon, fortified cereals, red meat, and milk. Bulking your diet with these nutrient-dense foods will help you stay healthy this time of year.
Boost Your Immune System Through Food
The winter months coincide with cold and flu season, so keeping your immune system boosted and in tip-top shape should be a priority for everyone. The best part? You’re maintaining a healthy weight by eating foods that are shown to boost your immune system, like citrus fruits, kiwis, peppers, and broccoli. And don’t forget the antiviral properties of Elderberry, which makes a delicious addition to your smoothies, teased, and even some holiday baking recipes.
Meal Prep
Many people meal prep these days; you likely have friends and loved ones that could help you start this healthy habit. Winter days are short, and people can get overwhelmed with the holidays during this time. When you get overwhelmed or tired, it’s easy to reach for convenience foods that do nothing to benefit your health, but when you meal plan, you set yourself up for success in healthy eating.
Eat Seasonally
Eating seasonally is a great way to stay healthy no matter what time of year, but some of the most nutrient-dense foods are easily available during the winter. Root vegetables, squash, and more make excellent ingredients for soups, stews, and other cold-weather comfort food. Comfort food doesn’t have to be unhealthy, so get creative in the kitchen with seasonal ingredients.
Plan for Parties
The winter months bring with them lots of celebration, and you’ll likely be invited to multiple parties. Plan ahead of the indulgences you’ll cave to at the parties you attend by eating before you head out the door. You don’t have to eat a full meal; after all, it would be polite to at least graze at your events, but arriving with an empty stomach means overeating generally unhealthy food.
Eating healthy during the winter will only make you feel better once the weather warms up again. More time spent indoors cozying up with a good book or binge-watching your favorite holiday movies is something we all enjoy, but it’s easy to get out of shape as a winter couch-potato. By adopting the healthy habits above around food, you’ll enter the New Year looking and feeling your best.
