Why You're Craving More Comfort Foods During the Winter!
January 25, 2023
Written By: Mairead, Registered DietitianDuring the summer, we often gravitate towards lighter meals, seasonal produce, and salads. During the winter, we often end up craving heartier comfort foods. Before you panic, these cravings aren't necessarily a bad thing, but they are something a lot of people experience and try to fight. There are two main reasons this happens.
The first reason is because those slightly heavier, and often carbohydrate-heavy, meals can cause our body to produce more serotonin and dopamine in response. These chemicals help improve our mood. While this happens all year round, seasonal changes often impact mood, and we notice this difference more in the cold winter months.
The second reason is less scientific. Think about eating a big bowl of warm steamy chili in the winter. It's a really enjoyable experience, and is probably literally warming you up. Now think about eating it in the summer months. When it's already hot out, you're probably just not as interested in something warm and heavy - that's ok! The opposite would probably be true of a big salad full of seasonal fruits and vegetables. We're going to be more satisfied with different foods at different times of year depending on the weather around us.
There's no need to fight these cravings, but you can still eat balanced meals and meet your nutrition needs. If your favourite comfort food doesn't have many vegetables, see if there's a way to add them or include some on the side. Adding protein can also help keep you more full and avoid an energy slump from carb-heavy meals. If you find you're often relying on comfort foods to boost your mood, it can be worth talking to a dietitian or therapist to find other coping strategies to get you through the winter months.
The bottom line: Comfort foods make us feel good and can make for satisfying meals! Seasons come and go, and it's ok to lean in to seasonal cravings.
For more common-sense nutrition advice, email mairead@degreefitnessseaforth.com to learn more about our Nutrition Programs, and book your FREE Bite-Sized Nutrition Chat!
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Written By: Coach Kelly I’ve been exercising since high school... I don’t want to age myself tooooo much ;) but that was quite sometime ago. I meet with people all the time who are looking to get started. They are looking to lose weight, tone up, feel better, happier, increase bone density, do something for them, for various reasons. I’m going to give you two of the most important things that you need to do to make your fitness stick, through al season nd all set backs. Write these down, memorize them, and repeat them over and over. You’ll always succeed. Forget about motivation Seriously, forget it. Motivation comes after you get started. It comes when you start to see results; it comes when your pants fit different; it comes when you’re not out of breath going up stairs; it comes when you are running down the soccer field with your kids; it comes when you are happier; it comes when you feel less anxious, less depressed; it comes after you get started. Remember your why Why are you wanting to get started? Why do you want to spend money and time at a gym? Are you willing to do this for months, if not years? When your schedule gets busy, or your kids get sick, why will you keep coming to classes or appointments? You just need to get started, and you need to clearly understand why you are starting in the first place. After that, you must stick with it. Even when y you’re tired, when you’re frustrated, when you want to give up. Everyone wants the quick fix. We will spend hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on supplements that promise to help us lose weight, feel better, but honestly, nothing will compare to the eating some vegetables and getting in a structured workout with a Coach or at a gym 2 - 3 times per week. I know it’s hard. I know it’s hard. Like, I really, really know it’s hard. But, as you’re reading this, look way down the road, like 1 year, then 3, then 5 years. How do you want to feel? As hard as it is to get started, it will be even harder if you don’t do anything. You deserve to invest in yourself. You deserve to feel good. You have got this and we believe in you - Let’s go! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!
Written By: Coach Kelly My gym ownership journey started in December of 2019. At the time I was managing the day to day Degree, coaching classes/appointments and running events/programs. The previous owner had some really exciting things coming up in her life that required big changes. One of them being handing over the keys to someone else. It was an immediate yes, and an absolute honour! Degree was originally founded as a place to workout with a group of like minded, amazing people. Using fitness as a vehicle for a better overall life (happier people, healthier people). I always believed int eh original mission, vision an values of Degree and they haven’t changed much over the years :) Fitness to me was a way to escape; I could move my body, stay strong and feel empowered when everything else around me felt like it was falling apart. I’ve continued to use fitness to improve my overall health and strength, and just like when I first started, to stay grounded when everything else feels shaky. Fitness to me, and at Degree, is more than muscles. It’s helping our clients have a safe space they can come, be themselves, and workout with their gym buddies. As they do this, the most amazing things happen, and it makes our hearts soar as you Coaches… We see you light up when you crush a hard workout, or do something you didn’t think you could do. When you share a bright spot and everyone in your class is genuinely happy and excited for you, too! When you start to realize, and believe , that you are whole heartedly capable of anything you put your mind to. That you are worth it; you always have been. Degree is the cornerstone of health and wellness, and we will always be here to help you, and our community live their happiest, and healthiest lives! ----- To inquire about services, programs or to get started email info@degreefitnessseaforth.com or call/text 519-441-7492!