How do you keep the winter comfort food cravings at bay?

defeatmylazyself

Hey everyone,

up here in the North it has begun to be dark quite early in the day ( we´re talking 15:30 here), I have been working lots of overtime and in general have just been craving stodgy food and nibbles. I can eat as many clementines/almonds/other healthy snacks as I want, the craving will not pass. I know it´s an emotional thing, but knowing that does not make it go away... on top of that, my bad knee is acting up again, so I can´t run very much. Help!

fit4travels

I have the same problem. Bumping to read the responses

Topsking2010

Eat to live not live to eat!!!


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SunshineKisses_2012

This is my first winter after I decided to start taking care of myself, so I need as much advice as I can get! Bumping to see responses!

morenita71

Hot liquids! I make herbal teas and things like soup are really filling and comforting. I often get myself a miso soup from my lcoal sushi place just to warm me up of an afternoon.

You can also have some of your favourite comfort food just keep an eye on the portion size! There was a great recipe for chicken pie on the recipes message board for around 370 per portion.

Good luck!

thurberj

Smaller portions, lots of water and lots of exercise.......That's my plan:-)

stevwil41

I'm big on soups when it's cold and there are a lot of healthy ones out there. Other than that, I don't keep them at bay. I enjoy them in moderation. I just have to make sure "moderation" doesn't get out of hand:)

Mommawarrior

VITAMIN D. The sun provides us with vitamin D. When it is dark out we don't get so much of it. I know it sounds crazy, but we used to live in Alaska and everyone would always say "take vitamin D supplements". I never had a problem with it so I am not sure how well it actually works. But some of my friends took it and they said it helped them.

myth4ever

make sure you have your meals planned out and carry with you so when u do get hungry you go for it 1st! In moderation it is ok to grab here and there but don't grab a plate full of any of the holiday trimmings! Avoid places where the food is being held as much as possible. When starting off it might be best to avoid the work holiday breakfast, brunches, and what not, you have your dinners with the family coming soon and those will be your days to have a little this and that......U have to remember you got goals to reach and is this food helping or hindering your process???

surfrgrl1

I definitely understand. I want to just come home and put on flannel pajamas and never leave the couch. I suggest trying to get out in as much daylight as you can while you have it. (at lunch time) I like to fix hot tea and sometimes drinking that helps. Maybe you can create comfort foods but adjust the ingredients so they still taste good, but are better for you. Sometimes we just need to go ahead and eat whatever it is that we are craving, but having it sparingly. Distractions are important for us to get our minds off of food. Laundry, dishes, housework, exercise...there's lots I can move my focus to.

defeatmylazyself

yeah, I live in Scotland. I should really get some Vitamin D supplements. I do make my lunches and take them to work, it´s more coming home after overtime and not really having the energy to cook a nice healthy meal. I am trying to have more soups (mmmh, soups!), I suppose I´m worrying mainly because I can´t exercise too much a. because of my knee and b. because it is too dark in the morning and when I get back from work ( I live in a pretty rough area, wouldn´t go running in the dark on my own). SIgh.

lisamc03

Everything in moderation...you'll be just fine

Black_Swan

Try to hit the elliptical in the gym? Might help... give it a chance!
Otherwise I am also struggling, luckily I stopped myself in time... but its so damn hard!
And everyone is like "oh lets have coffee with cream and muffins!"

bcattoes

Soups!!! The ultimate healthy comfort food. And many are low calorie enough that you will have calories left for a warm piece of whole grain bread along side.

KarenLue

I definitely understand. I want to just come home and put on flannel pajamas and never leave the couch. I suggest trying to get out in as much daylight as you can while you have it. (at lunch time) I like to fix hot tea and sometimes drinking that helps. Maybe you can create comfort foods but adjust the ingredients so they still taste good, but are better for you. Sometimes we just need to go ahead and eat whatever it is that we are craving, but having it sparingly. Distractions are important for us to get our minds off of food. Laundry, dishes, housework, exercise...there's lots I can move my focus to.

Great Advice! I eat a lot to avoid the house work when what I really need to do is tackle it! If I worked more on it I wouldn't be so over whelmed by how far behind I am! Love all the soup and sun advice too. I think it's true and I think it should be our winter slogan! (From someone else who lives in the dark north) "SOUP AND SUN!"