We tend to eat more during the winter months, with the average person gaining at least one to two pounds and those who are already overweight likely to gain more. Winter is the time of the year that different treats, which can contribute to weight gain are everywhere, such as chocolate, cookies, festive treats; they all add up at the end resulting to extra pounds.
"There's good evidence that people put on weight over the winter," says dietitian Sian Porter. "The more overweight you are, the more you tend to put on. And the most worrying aspect of this seasonal weight gain is that the pounds tend to stay on. People don't seem to lose the extra weight." If you're an indoor person as much, there's more time and temptation to reach into the kitchen cupboard for high-calorie sweet snacks, such as biscuits and cakes.
There are few ways to prevent the winter gain. Let’s look at the simple ways to avoid winter weight gain:
- Stock up your kitchen cupboards with healthy Food, Fruits and Veggies
Homemade foods are better, you know exactly the right quantity of ingredients you have in your food. Keep your store cupboard stocked with healthy foods, that way, you'll be able to create a quick and nutritious meal for yourself, you’ll save money and avoid the temptation to order a high-calorie takeaway.
- Have an Eating Plan
Ensure you eat the right food at the right time, do not skip foods. Follow the following ways of eating daily:
Do not skip breakfast; eat to get the metabolism running
Your diet should include fresh fruit and veggies
Drink plenty of water, and a glass of red wine is good for your heart too.
- Exercise more in winter
Indulge in physical activities in winter, by reducing the amount of physical activity in winter because of the cold weather can contribute to winter weight gain.
Cold weather and shorter days does not mean to abandon exercise completely. Instead, rearrange your schedule to fit in what you can. You don't need formal exercise to burn calories.
Put on some warm clothes and jog around the neighbourhood, or start a snowball fight with the kids.
Most leisure centres have heated swimming pools and indoor tennis and badminton courts.
- Watch out for high-calorie drinks
It is important to have hot drinks in winter period because it will help you keep warm. Having said that, there are some hot drinks that are high in calories. Drinks such as Milky, syrupy coffee shop drinks and hot chocolate with whipped cream can add a lot of calories to your diet. Starbucks medium caffe, mocha contains more than 360 calories.
Stick to regular coffee or tea, or ask for your drink to be "skinny" made with skimmed milk.
Cut down alcohol intake. According to a chart compiled by Arizona personal trainer, Lucas James, people who consider themselves average wine drinkers consume an excess of 2,000 calories per month - the equivalent of 141 ice creams a year.
- Get your Winter Greens
Ensure your diet contains fresh fruits and vegetables (including legumes). Fruit and vegetables are an excellent source of important vitamins and minerals including vitamins A and C, folate, iron and calcium.
Eating a wide variety of foods ensures you get a range of nutrients; don't get stuck eating the same food every day.
Look out for root vegetables, such as swedes, parsnips and turnips, and winter veggies such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale and artichokes. They're filling as well as nutritious, so they will help you resist a second helping of trifle.
No comments:
Post a Comment