When the long, dreary days of winter set in, the urge to hibernate can be hard to resist”and so can all those yummy, high calorie snacks. But the truth is, loading up on comfort foods can fill you with more than fuzzy feelings, and before you know it, both you and your muffin top will be smack in the middle of bikini season. So while you’re spending some quality time indoors, do your waistline (and your health) a favour by skipping the baked goods and reaching for these guilt-free options instead:
Oatmeal
While it’s traditionally a breakfast food, who says that a steamy bowl of good, old-fashioned oatmeal can’t be enjoyed at any time of the day (not to mention that it beats cold, soggy cereal on any freezing winter morning). Natural, delicious and packed with essential vitamins and minerals, you can’t go wrong with this insides-thawing snack, especially if you opt for low-fat (or soy) milk, and top it off with raisins or berries for added sweetness.
Popcorn
Think the healthy homemade variety, not the drenched with butter, salt and chemicals kind that you find at the movie theatre. Rich in iron and low in calories, this whole grain is a satisfying snack to share while curled up in front of the fireplace. As long as you pop the kernels using a big pot or popcorn popper, and eat it sans butter and seasoning, it’s a truly guilt-free answer to any crunchy craving.
Sunflower Seeds
While salted nuts are a traditional cold weather go-to, opting for a handful of dry sunflower seeds is the healthier choice. Rich in potassium, Vitamin E and fiber, sunflower seeds deliver nutritional benefits, much like your beloved peanuts, but without the high fat price tag. For added crunch, scatter the desired amount of seeds on a baking sheet, and roast them ever so slightly in the oven.
Baked Apple Slices
An apple a day may keep the doctor away, but biting into a crispy, cold apple in the dead of winter is not the most appealing thing in the world. Get all the benefits of this nutritious fruit, but add some heat by arranging slices on a cookie sheet, and browning them in the oven (at around 325 degrees). Add some sweetness and spice by sprinkling the browned slices with cinnamon and serve over low-fat yogurt.
Dried Fruit
Nothing is more perfect to tote on a winter hike or skating date than a zip-locked bag of dried fruit. Choose from premixed varieties, or make your own with helpings of cranberries, bananas, apples and raisins. Dried fruit will not only keep hunger at bay, but will also help in meeting your daily target of fruits and veggies.
Warm Milk and Honey
Take a cue from Winnie the Pooh, and skip the high cal cup of cocoa for a sweet and nourishing mug of skim milk steamed with ½ tsp of honey and sprinkled with cinnamon. An added bonus: this delicious, calcium-rich, warm drink will also help you get to sleep on restless winter nights.
