10 Easy Ways To Stay Healthy In Winter

SumoSalad’s dietician Georgina Moore shares her top 10 winter weight loss tips and how to stay healthy during the cooler months.

1. Keep your immune system revving

Stock up on winter warming foods to prevent your immune system going MIA. Think foods that pack a flavour punch such as ginger, garlic, rosemary and other beautiful fresh herbs.

2. Stay warm and keep active

Most Australians gain weight over winter. Don’t become a statistic by making physical activity a part of your daily routine. By keeping your muscles moving, you will keep your metabolism firing.

3. Exercise portion control

As tempting as it may be to go back for seconds of that warming casserole or pie, don’t! Instead, eat slower and take your time to enjoy a standard size serve.

4. Eat warm, well

There are plenty of healthy, hearty and warming options to keep you toasty throughout the cold winter months.

Think oats for breakfast, Sumo Bowls of red quinoa or brown rice for lunch and then roast vegetables salads or a soup for dinner. Make healthy, warm choices every day.

5. Don’t skip meals

Every one needs at least three decent meals each day. No matter how busy you are or how cold it is outside, don’t skip meals. For a balanced, healthy diet always try to include vegetables, lean protein and low GI carbs in each sitting.

6. Winter vegetables…yummy!

As well as cooler weather and shorter days, winter also signals the arrival of some fabulous vegetables. Think root vegetables, zucchini and asparagus. Some herbs are also at their best over these months such as tarragon, basil, thyme, dill, mint, rosemary, ginger, marjoram and oregano.

7. Look for different foods of different colours

Different colours in your foods represent a range of different vitamins and minerals. The more colour on your plate, the wider range of goodness you are receiving!

8. Keep hydrated

In the winter months most buildings, offices and residences have the heat working overtime.

Controlled heating can often be quite dehydrating, so keep the fluids ups and rug up with warm clothing instead.

9. Think good quality protein & low GI carbs

It’s very easy to get hungry in winter and consequently make poor food choices if you don’t base each meal on good

quality lean protein and low GI carbs. These help keep you feeling fuller for longer to prevent the 3pm snack attack.

10. Scrub up

To help prevent the spread of cold and flus make sure you practice good hygiene everywhere and always. Wash your hands prior to preparing and eating foods.

SumoSalad have launched a new winter range called Sumo Bowls, which are served warm. Resident chef, Pete Evans, along with Georgina, have come up with tasty new recipes inspired by Korean bibimbap that are perfect for winter – think brown rice instead of white, and red and white quinoa topped with fresh salad ingredients. Much better options than calorie-heavy winter comfort food.

What are your best tips to staying healthy in winter? Tell us in the comments below!