You’ve likely heard how important it is to eat with the season. Well, I thought I’d share my perspective on the subject.
Your body is incredibly intelligent. It will crave certain things that you need so listen to your body and clue in when it’s talking to you. At the same time, it’s important to know healthy ways to interpret your cravings.
For instance, if you’re craving something sweet, rather than assuming your body is asking for cookies, you may be needing the antioxidants and vitamins that fruit brings. Or you may be craving the benefits of honey. And, yes, dark chocolate can be very good for you, but the key is that it needs to be in moderation. Like two or three squares, not half the bar.
If you’re craving hearty food, rather than going for high glycemic breads and pastas, use brown rice and root veggies to nourish and nurture yourself. Roasted veggies are especially nice. Sprouted bread is also a good lower glycemic alternative to white or wheat bread.
Personally, in summer I’m drawn to eat more fruits, green smoothies, fresh salads, and salad wraps.
As it gets colder and winter sets in, I eat a lot of soups, stir-fries, steamed veggies and greens, and roasted veggies.
Because green smoothies are more cooling, I don’t have them as religiously in the winter. In the warmer months I wouldn’t miss one, but in the colder months my body doesn’t crave them the same way. What I do instead is eat fruit as my first meal, and then get my greens later in the day.
I still have my protein shake, I just don’t drink it as cold as I do in the warmer months, and I’ve started adding cinnamon and stevia which is a lovely change!
Here are some tips that can be helpful in staying healthy this season:
- Baked yams and sweet potatoes are easy and hearty. Just put them in the oven before you get hungry. These are great low-glycemic alternatives to white potatoes.
- Steamed veggies take very little time and are super tasty. Just chop up some broccoli, carrots, chard, or other veggies or greens, and steam until tender. Don’t over cook them though, or they’ll lose both nutrients and taste.
- Soups, stews and chili’s are one of the most comforting and healthy foods for the colder months. Make a big batch and freeze some.
- Herbal tea is a wonderful way to warm up and feel like you’re nourishing yourself between meals. For a treat, I use a caffeine free spicy tea like chai or Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut (my favorite) add a little honey and some almond milk. Way less calories than a chai latte, but still delicious and satisfying!
During the winter season we tend to want to eat heavier foods, especially during the holidays. Just as it’s important to eat foods that satisfy and nourish you during the colder months, it’s also crucial to keep up your yoga and fitness practice so you are strong, de-stressed, and keep your metabolism up to burn that comfort food. 🙂
If you’re looking for a fun way to get or stay in shape, check out my Yoga Fitness Boot Camp!
Feel free to add a comment below if you have seasonal tips or recipes you’d like to share!