7 Winter Diet Tips Nutritionists Swear By
Winter is notorious for presenting temptations in the form of comfort foods and baked goods. Chillier temperatures and food related holidays makes resisting the cozy treats nearly impossible. These 7 winter diet tips from nutritionists will help you keep the weight away while still indulging in winter cuisine.
Winter Diet Tips
Here are seven winter diet tips nutritionists swear by!
1. Drink Low Calorie Soup
Hot soup does a good job at keeping you warm. In addition, consuming soup, as a course before an entree, will minimize the amount of calories consumed. “It’s a therapeutic, low-cal way to curb my appetite — and research has shown that eating soup before a meal can slash the overall number of calories you consume,” says Joan Salge Blake, RD, and media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Make a cream free soup or use a vegan substitute like using coconut or vegetable broth. Lentil soup is the perfect nutritious, high-fiber, and low-calorie soup choice. Lentils are also rich in folate, a B vitamin that provides an energy boost.
2. Grill Indoors
One of my favorite winter diet tips! Do not save grilling for warmer weather. Utilize an indoor grill for meats and vegetables. Grilling uses less oil than other methods of cooking. Use a marinade to cut down on the carcinogens introduced with grilling.
3. Two-Bite Baking
Bakers do not have to give up a favorite winter time hobby. When you want to bake a batch of goodies, do not hesitate, just give the vast majority of that batch away. Katie Eliot, a registered dietitian and instructor in nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo., suggests keeping two bites for yourself. A couple of bites are usually enough to curb cravings while delivering enough sugar for that sweet rush.
4. Stock Up On Winter Produce
Seasonal eating is really good for you. It gives your body the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients you need to keep yourself warm without packing on pounds. According to registered dietician, Cynthia Sass, a good example of winter fruits are grapefruits, cranberries, and pomegranates. Brussel Sprouts, broccoli, beets, kale, and collards are typical winter vegetables. The are all rich in insoluble fibers, good for your heart and digestive system.
5. Have a Good-Mood Breakfast
Make a breakfast consisting of whole grains and lean proteins. Foods, like oatmeal and natural nut butters, help release mood enhancing chemicals like dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. They are also high in insoluble fibers. “Oatmeal fills me up until lunch,” the dietician Katherine Brooking. “It’s low in sodium and saturated fat, high in healthy carbs that provide energy for my morning.”
6. Make No-Guilt Comfort Foods
You do not have to cut out all the foods you love to stay healthy. Put a healthy spin on those favorite winter dishes. “Almost any winter comfort food can be made healthier by substituting in a lower-fat ingredient,” says Katie Eliot, registered dietician.
Low-fat cottage cheese and fat-free Greek yogurt are both great alternatives to calorie ridden butters and creams. Vegan substitutes for milk, cream, butter, and eggs are great low-calorie alternatives to use for comfort foods. If you are skeptical of the taste, use half real dairy and half vegan substitute. The result will be a lower calorie dish with little to no taste difference.
7. Stay Hydrated
Of all the best winter diet tips this one is the most important. Winter is a notoriously dry time of the year. Staying hydrated is essential, even more so if you have a holiday cocktail or two. Try to consume, at least, 2.5 liters of water per day. Even better if your throw in some fruits to make fruit-infused water. Try to drink 32 ounces before lunch and 32 ounces before dinner. Believe it or not, it is easy for people to confuse thirst for hunger. Get your fill of water to verify those are really hunger pains. Ensuring that you are hydrated will help you shed excess water weight.
Which of these winter diet tips would you love to try? Share your thoughts by commenting below!
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