We’re all a little guilty of giving in to those cold weather cravings. As the weather cools, we tend to go into a ‘hibernation mode’, where we eat more and move less.
Seasonal changes and dips in temperature have more of an effect on our bodies and our eating habits than we think.
Feeding your gut right
Fibre feeds the good bacteria living in your gut, and when the good bacteria are well fed, they grow and thrive. Having more good bacteria not only promotes better digestive balance, which supports your gut health, it also fosters a strong gut microbiome that can readily fight off the germs and bacteria that come with the seasons.
Foods rich in fibre are less ‘energy dense’, which means they have fewer calories for the same volume of food – in turn keeping you satisfied for longer and encouraging you to avoid overindulgence. Starting the day with a fibre-rich cereal like All Bran or Sultana Bran helps you start the day with a fibre rich meal and then incorporating fruit, veggies, legumes and nuts throughout the day keeps topping it up.
Keep your body and mind fit
It’s easy to stay in bed longer and avoid exercising as it starts getting colder in the morning, but it’s important to keep your body and mind fit.
With people staying indoors last year, there’s a huge variety of mind and body workouts you can do from the comfort of your own home this winter, so ensure you set aside time each day to keep active – your body will thank you for it!
Eat regularly throughout the day
Many people try to avoid putting on those extra kilos over the winter period by skipping meals to stop themselves from eating so much.
The opposite can be a better option for your health. Skipping meals can make it harder to control your daily cravings and may cause you to start eating foods higher in fat or refined sugar for energy.
Eating a diverse mix of fibre-rich foods including fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and high fibre cereals regularly throughout the day can fill you up, help you to better manage your weight, and keep your energy levels consistent.
Keep hydrated
As the weather cools, we often start to become less active, making it easy for our body to become dehydrated.
It’s important to hydrate your body by drinking lots of water regardless of the season, but if it’s particularly hard for you, try drinking warm beverage options like tea, herbal tea or warm lemon water.
Getting your Z’s
It’s important to be getting your 7–9 hours of sleep per night as sleep plays a major role in your concentration, energy and mood.
With the sun setting earlier, get your body and mind into a regular sleeping routine to ensure you’re waking up refreshed and energised.
