Helpful Winter Diet Tips

However, we then turn back into this cycle of trying to lose weight after a winter of eating what we want when we want. So, how can you maintain staying lean and trim in the winter?

Fall and winter are the most challenging times of the year to stick with a diet that promotes weight loss and healthy eating, and if you're already struggling with getting into a healthy eating routine, it's even harder to stay on track as the holidays begin.

* Eating a wholesome breakfast of fruit, oatmeal, or low-sugar cereal each morning will curb your appetite throughout the entire day. It can also boost your metabolism, so you'll be burning calories all day long with very little effort! Eating breakfast at home also makes it easy to forego those calorie-laden muffins, donuts, and other temptations at the office.

* Rich and creamy soups may be soothing fix on a chilly evening, but you can get the same comfort from a bowl of vegetarian chili or broth-based soup instead. Cheese and Potato Soup can easily cost you between 350-400 calories per serving and over 20 grams of fat. Broth-based soups generally range from 150-200 calories per serving and just 5-10 grams of fat.

* These can be made in reduced sugar and lowfat versions, and the denser ingredients make a much more satisfying sweet bread or dessert. Choose organic whenever possible for a wholesome meal or side.

* Preparing meals at home is one of the easiest ways to get into healthy eating mode, and you can find dozens of healthy recipes on the internet or cookbooks. Take some time to put together a meal plan and even get creative with low-fat cooking in your hearty meal favorites. Even simple items such as macaroni and cheese, pasta bakes, and apple cobbler can be made with healthy ingredients and substitutions.

* The warm bread rolls and pillowy foccacia bread at the table can easily lead to weight gain, especially if you pile on the butter and rich spreads of the season. Opt for crackers or veggies to accompany your meals, and save the extra carbs and calories for a treat instead.

* Chocolate and baked goodies abound during Fall and winter, and it can be easy to overindulge with all the festivities. Allow yourself one treat per day so you can still enjoy what you really want, but just in smaller portions throughout the week.