As the snow continues to fall for most of us, this means many of us are bound to our homes. The kids are home from school and work is closed. Something about it being cold outside forces many of us into hibernation. The want for warm, home cooked meals is higher than ever. This could mean indulging in calorie-laden foods, and unhealthy snacks.

For many, this means weight gain.

Many people start going into hibernation mode when the temps start dropping outside. They eat heavier foods. They gain weight. They cozy up and hunker down.

It started after Thanksgiving then lead up to Christmas. Work parties, family parties, drinks with your girlfriends, neighborhood potlucks, Yankee swaps. The list goes on. And just when you thought it would slow down, Christmas came, leading you into New Year’s Eve, and topping it off with Valentine’s Day this weekend. Holy moly, more weight gain!  People land in a spiral of continuous months of indulging and mindless eating and drinking.

So, how are you going to handle the arrival of winter?

Fear not! Winter is a great time to detox, leading into the lightness of spring. Below is a list of a few helpful ways to make sure winter doesn’t get the best of your body!

• Don’t forget to get your vitamin D! Days are much shorter in the winter, meaning most people don’t get enough vitamin D from the sun in the darker months. Researchers at Aberdeen University found that obese people had 10% less vitamin D than people of average weight. The study also found that excess body fat absorbed vitamin D so the body couldn’t use it. Scientists now believe that there is a direct correlation between obesity and low levels of vitamin D. Knowing that, get out there, even in the cold, and get your sunshine, if only for 10 minutes per day.
• Move your booty and continue exercising regularly. It can be as simple as taking a walk out in the snowy terrain or as adventurous as skiing.
• Sometimes you may not feel like it due to the cold weather, but hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
• Enjoy healthy winter foods. Move toward the more warming winter foods and also emphasize the more warming spices and seasonings including ginger and peppercorns. This not only helps you vary your diet and stay excited, but you won’t even miss the heavy food winter often brings.

Here is a list of the seasonal foods of winter:

Avocado, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Endive, Escarole, Fennel, Grapefruit, Horseradish, Jerusalem Artichoke, Kale, Kiwi, Kohlrabi, Kumquats, Leeks, Lemons, Mandarin Oranges, Onions, Oranges, Parsnips, Pears, Persimmons, Potatoes, Radicchio, Rutabaga, Satsumas, Shallots, Sweet Potatoes, Tangerines, Turnips, Winter Squash*

Enjoy them all. Try new things. Just remember, don’t let the couch lure you into curling up with the unhealthy comfort foods that just make you gain weight and feel sluggish.

Need a yummy recipe to help you start winter off on the right foot? Check out my recipe for protein pancakes! They’re delicious, warm, comforting, and healthy!

*These were found using the following link, where you can learn more about seasonal produce:  http://localfoods.about.com/od/whatsinseason/a/WinterFruitVeg.htm

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