During winter it’s natural to eat more than usual, as we all know comfort foods and cold weather go well together like bread and cheese. It’s also natural for us to eat bigger portions than usual as our bodies needs more nutrients to keep our immunity strong. But the secret to staying fit is by leaning towards nutrient heavy food choices.

We eat more than usual during the cold winter. We also tend to lean towards food that is comforting and it is very common for us to eat portions of food that is slightly more than usual. This is because the cold weather tells our body by default that it requires more nutrients to keep our immunity strong.

Ayurvedic medicine dictates that uncooked meals and foods that are cold should be avoided during colder months. Staunch practitioners of chinese medicine have also suggested the same, as warmer meals are easier to digest during cold months.

For years experts of Ayurvedic medicine have recommended that we should avoid cold and uncooked foods in winter. Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners also back this and believe that cold weather is the time to avoid ice cold food and drinks. Warmer meals are easier to digest during the colder months. It’s the season to stay inside and savour on slow-cooked stews, soups, broths and plenty of energy-dense root vegetables. For instance you could have some Melba toast along with some piping hot soup or even rusk dipped in tea.

Here’s a few points we think you should follow to get through the winter.

1. Curb Your Carb Cravings

The gloomy cold season tends to ignite our cravings for more carbs and comfort foods. Why? Because consuming foods high in carbs increases your serotonin levels making your brain think its happier.

Naturally, your carb cravings get stronger and stronger as the day wears on. To counter your carb cravings through the day, try eating a protein filled breakfast in order to maintain your energy levels up throughout the day. By the time, afternoon rolls in and you’re still craving sweets or carbs, be sure to have some low-fat healthy snack on hand.

2. Cook With Mushrooms

There are several kinds of mushrooms available that have significant health benefits. Mushrooms have naturally-occurring antibiotics with innate medicinal properties. These natural antibiotics help you fight off many types of illnesses or viruses that can arise during the winter season due to drastic temperature changes. The next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to stock up on varieties of mushrooms like white button or shitake and be sure to add them to your meals this winter!

3. Eat More Fiber

During the festive winter season, comfort foods become a staple of our holiday diet. Soluble fibers are known to boost your immunity and are typically found in apples, oats and nuts. Hence consuming more soluble fibers is an important step to decrease the potential inflammation and rise in cholesterol levels in our body from consuming an excess of comfort foods.

Soluble fiber has many health benefits such as reducing the cholesterol levels in your body, aiding in weight loss and providing protection against diabetes. This is an important health tip for people who require a high-fiber diet to protect their digestive systems.

4. Eat More Green and Orange Vegetables

Sticking primarily to vegetables and fruits that are dark green and orange in colour is important in ensuring you’re getting healthy nutrients, sugars and fats. Spinach, kale, squash, carrots and oranges are all delicious during the winter. You could prepare a classic caesar salad with some tofu and homemade croutons.

5. Workout at Home

Usually during the winter season, temperatures are low and not a lot of people are outside carrying out rigorous outdoor activities and exercises. In order to stay healthy and fit during the winter season you can use a multitude of resources online that supply fun workout videos and exercises. These online resources offer a variety of home workouts that one can carry out in the winter such as yoga, strength training exercises, aerobic exercises and other body-weight exercises.

Eating with awareness and avoiding distractions such as the your mobile, laptop or TV during mealtimes is also key. All in all winter season is all about warm, nourishing and nutrient dense meals. Winter is a time to slow down, embrace old eating practices and take care of your body.