Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Eating Well During Winter


As we enter the winter season, some of us will inevitably end up putting on a few pounds. Like badgers, we sometimes have a tendency to eat like we are preparing for hibernation. The result is that at the end of the season we have put on weight.
You really cannot be blamed for wanting to eat more during winter. It’s actually quite normal for you to feel hungrier during the cold season as the body temperature drops and stimulates your appetite. Eating generates heat and helps the body stay warm; thirty to sixty minutes after a meal, you body generates ten percent more warmth than if your stomach were empty. The process is referred to as thermogenesis. However, this does not mean that you burn extra calories in winter; you do not need more calories in winter unless you get so cold that you actually begin to shiver.
The first step to eating well during winter is therefore to make sure that you stay warm. Staying warm ensures that you do not trigger the biological process in your body that lead to hunger. Wear warm clothing and when you go out cover your head because most body heat is lost via the head. The next thing you need to do is to watch what and how you eat. The following is a winter guide – a road map to help you stay away from overindulgence this winter.

Plan In Advance
Before winter begins, cut down on your calories significantly to give you more calories to consume during winter. This concept is known as a calorie bank but you can only use it so much.

Limit Party Food
During the holiday season, make it a point never to go to a party on an empty stomach. This will prevent you from bingeing on unhealthy party food. Have a fruit snack or non fat yoghurt before you attend any party. It is a good idea to carry some low fat food of your own to the party and share it with the other guests. That way you determine what you eat.

Be In Control of Your Environment
As women we sometimes find ourselves munching on something unconsciously. It could be a favorite cookie or some other high calorie snack. Be in control and aware of your surroundings at all times. Hide candy gifts and cookies from sight as soon as you receive them so that you are not tempted.

Eat Slowly
When eating, deliberately chew slowly and savor every taste. Dieticians say that this is a good way to reduce the feeling of hunger as you eat and that you actually end up eating less per sitting than if you inhaled your food.

Stay Away From Alcohol
Alcohol consumption during winter is bad because it stimulates your appetite. Even worse is the fact that it reduces your will power. The more you get foggy the harder it will be stay away from bingeing. Keep your consumption to the equivalent of a wine glass daily or avoid it altogether.

Exercise
The winter season should not stop or slow down your workout program. Exercise will burn the extra calories you may invariably consume during winter. 

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