Hard to Eat Healthy When There is Comfort Food Around...

It's Monday, it's cold outside, the wind is blowing and all I want to do is curl up with a blanket, a hot cup of tea, a muffin and watch movies, or curl up in my warm bed with a good book.


All of this warm, fuzzy, don't-want-to-move very far behavior leads to other behaviors such as eating.  And I don't mean eating chicken and rice and vegetables.  I mean, meat and potatoes, pumpkin sweets, and creamy, hot drinks like cider and cocoa.  Is there a way to avoid this?


I know one way to avoid this type of comfort food eating-start MOVING.  Keep EXERCISING.  Make a concerted effort to hit the gym or take a cold-weather hike.  Hit a fitness class on your lunch break.  Get the dog out for a brisk walk.  I know, as a personal trainer, this time of year individuals want to hibernate.  But the best thing you can do for yourself is just MOVE.


Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Symptoms include moodiness, feeling unenergetic and depressed, unmotivated and poor eating habits start showing up.  All or some of these symptoms start showing usually around the beginning of Fall and last through the winter months. You can address this problem by  using phototherapy (light therapy), psycho therapy, and talk to your doctor about possible anti-depressants.  


The other positive way to stave off SAD is to change up your diet. There was some research done in Britain recently that showed people who consumed a diet high in sweets, fried food, processed meat and refined foods had a higher incidence of symptoms of depression.


So when you are reaching for the baked goods a little more often than you know what is good for you, change it to reaching for a piece of fruit. Keep your main meals rich in fish, lean white meat and vegetables.  This not only helps with staving off oncoming depression, it will help healthwise by keeping your weight down, and long term prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.  I know it's hard, but really make a concerted effort to stay on track.  Your body will thank you for it by Spring. :-)


Happy Monday!


~Merri Lou