guest post by Amy Unger L.D.,
Providence Life Services Regional Dietician
January is the perfect time to renew your resolve to eat well. Colder temperatures, shorter days, and the holiday celebrations of the previous month challenge our healthy intentions, but the beginning of a new year brings a feeling of new possibilities.
A few simple guidelines can help you make healthy choices throughout the winter months:
1. Accessibility
- Make sure you have fruits , vegetables, low-fat dips, and fat-free pretzels in stock, so you won't be tempted by high-calorie snacks. When you're in the mood to munch, if raisins and baby carrots are the only snacks in the house, you're less likely to gain winter pounds.
2. Quality
- Carbs are not bad, but some carbs are better than others. When you choose high-quality carbs from whole grains, sweet potatoes, yams, squash, and pumpkin, you are serving yourself loads of nutrients rather than empty calories.
3. Variety
- Look for seasonal produce, such as pomegranates, cranberries, purple grapes, and citrus fruit. These can add some interest to your healthy diet.
4. Supplements
- During the winter it can be more difficult to get Vitamin D and Vitamin C through sunshine and diet, so consider talking to your doctor about supplements. Or consider adding Vitamin D to your diet with fortified dairy products, fish, and egg yolks. Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, cabbage, broccoli, and spinach.
5. Energy
- Don’t hibernate from exercise just because it's cold outside! Spend time walking the halls, going up and down the stairs, even walking in place while you're watching TV. If you have access to a Wii station, get together with friends for Wii bowling or tennis. Keep moving!
Don't let winter put a freeze on your healthy lifestyle. Grab some grapes, phone some friends, and start walking the hallways today!
Need further inspiration? Check out this photo of four Providence ladies — all over 90 —who work out faithfully every day at Royal Park Place, our Retirement Living community in Zeeland, Michigan!
