Winter Nutrition
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 and vegetables 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 available, you’re less likely to gain winter pounds. If you are bringing snacks when you visit a Providence community, choose healthy options.
2. Quality
Some carbs are better than others. When you choose high-quality carbs from whole grains, sweet potatoes, yams, squash, and pumpkin — rather than candy bars — you are serving yourself loads of nutrients rather than empty calories. Plus, certain healthy foods can help fight allergies!
3. Variety
Look for seasonal produce, such as pomegranates, cranberries, purple grapes, and citrus fruit. These can add some interest to your healthy diet. Chefs at all Providence communities are creative experts at preparing meals that are nutritious as well as delicious — our residents will tell you, the food is good!
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 D is particularly important because it seems to protect against brain impairments.
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. Dancing is good exercise too!
Don’t let winter put a freeze on your healthy lifestyle. Grab some grapes, phone some friends, and start walking the hallways today!
