#1 – Soup – Not only
does it warm the soul, but a hearty bowl of soup is also a secret to winter calorie
control. Never mind
having soup as an appetizer. Soup can be the main dish. Add a piece of whole
grain toast if you need it. Or, have a small bowl of soup before the main meal
can help to curb your appetite. Mixed vegetable soup or squash soups make great
winter meals.
#2 - Grapefruit – I start
the day with half a grapefruit while the oatmeal is cooking. Grapefruit has
many health benefits, including high vitamin C content, high fat burning enzymes, antiseptic properties, cancer prevention, and lowering cholesterol, among
many others. Lycopene, a carotenoid pigment, gives grapefruit its red colour. It is a powerful agent against tumors and cancers as it scavenges cancer-causing free radicals. Lycopene works best synergistically with vitamins A and C, which are also found in grapefruit.
#3 - Oatmeal - It
usually takes half an hour to cook the oatmeal on low heat. I add flaxmeal,
hemp seed, sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts and dried cranberries (for
sweetness) and a dash of cinnamon. Plenty of low GI carbohydrate, essential
fatty acids including omega-3s, and protein. This combo will help stabilize
blood sugar, sustain you till your next meal, provide energy for busy day, and
boost the metabolism.
These carbs also
trigger the release of serotonin, a brain chemical that enhances calmness and
can reduce feelings of depression. The protein helps steady blood sugar and
causes the release of dopamine and norepinephrine, which can improve alertness.
#4 – I drink room
temperature water in winter. It is better for you and it’s easier to drink than
very cold fluids when the air is already so cold. For a warming drink I have
either a blend of Earl grey and green tea, Kombucha green tea, or cinnamon
spice with orange blossom made from rooibos, which is a red tea reported to be one
of the highest sources in antioxidants of any tea.
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