Have a beat-the-blahs breakfast Shorter days and being trapped indoors can lead to the winter blues. And there's no better excuse to skip exercise and hunt around the pantry when you're not hungry than feeling down.
To stay alert and energized, Sari Greaves, RD, nutrition director at Step Ahead Wellness Center in Far Hills, N.J., builds her winter diet around good-mood foods, starting with breakfast. Greaves says, "I have a 200- to 300-calorie breakfast that includes whole grains and lean protein, such as natural peanut butter on a whole grain English muffin or oatmeal with slivered almonds. High quality carbs, as opposed to refined white starch, can prevent swings in your blood sugar that may leave you tired and cranky. 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."
Not only will this breakfast combo motivate you to get moving, but by eating a morning meal, you'll boost your metabolism and have better control over caloric intake for the rest of the day, says Greaves. Did someone say "win-win"?
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Older comments
good
by Nicole2814 Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 01:13PM Report as inappropriate
already do these
by aishak55 Saturday, December 29, 2012 at 01:38PM Report as inappropriate
Good soup can be very filling!
by EricaC123 Tuesday, December 25, 2012 at 12:34PM Report as inappropriate
I really like the two bite strategy, will have to try. hopefully i could stop myself :)
by justmilly Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 10:32AM Report as inappropriate
I already do all of these.
by nicky22 Monday, December 10, 2012 at 11:04AM Report as inappropriate
i already know/ do this ... year round :/ kinda just a refresher nothing new
by Sohee Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 12:14PM Report as inappropriate
Definitely going to try some of these - more fluids is always good.
by schien Thursday, November 15, 2012 at 10:03AM Report as inappropriate
Ready for the winter and definitely going to try these tricks!! Excited about the soup one ;]
by Lamexicana1 Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 08:58PM Report as inappropriate
Love the clear soup idea and greek yogurt filling suggestions!
by dawnrager Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 08:39PM Report as inappropriate
Aren't these our tips for the whole year? (veggies and water???)
by alictasia Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 03:25PM Report as inappropriate