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7 Winter Foods Rich in Antioxidants

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:30:00 -0800

When we talk about food rich in antioxidants - disease-fighting nutrients - all sorts of Summer berries come to mind. Even though these berries may be hard to come by in cooler months, there are still plenty of Winter foods chock full of antioxidants. To see if you are already enjoying these foods, start the slideshow to learn what they are.

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The Cold Weather Fat Craving Connection

FitSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:00:00 -0800

Have you noticed chilly weather seems to turn many of us into something like a bear seeking fat before hibernating all Winter? I know the connection between cold weather and fatty foods isn't true for everyone, but many of you voted on this poll that you do indeed crave the fat when the temperature is low.

According to sports nutritionist Ryan Kohler temperatures below freezing can increase a person’s basic energy needs when compared to the amount of energy it takes to simply "exist" at room temperature, which is between 60 and 70 degrees F. In colder temperatures it takes more energy to keep the core temperature of the body stable. That makes sense, right?

Possibly a stronger factor in fatty-food craving is tradition and association - the mind is a powerful thing when it comes to cravings. After all, the Thanksgiving meal, which really seems to kick off the Winter season, at least mentally, is full of fatty, rich foods. Maybe it is the lack of sunlight combined with the cold that makes us crave comfort foods. Since fat, as an ingredient, tends to make food tastier and thereby more palatable. We associate fatty foods with cold weather.

I was craving fat like crazy, not that I live in a climate where temperatures get anywhere close to, let alone remain, below freezing. To combat my desire for ice cream I made sure to take my fish oil supplement daily and, anecdotally speaking, it totally helped. Do you take a fish oil supplement?

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Another Reason to Eat Carbs: Boost Your Mood

FitSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:00:56 -0800

The majority of Fit readers call themselves carb queens, and Winter can make those carbohydrate cravings even more intense. But have no fear: scientists are finding even more reasons not to avoid this essential food group.

A recent study of more than 100 obese and overweight adults in Australia found that dieting put people in a better mood; a drop in pounds led to increased satisfaction. But for people on low-carb diets, the mood boost didn't last.

The study group was split, with half the subjects on a lowfat diet and the other half low-carbing it. Interestingly, folks in both groups lost the same amount of weight on average, about 30 pounds. But after a year, the low-carb dieters also lost the positive mood effects, while the low-fat dieters did not. Here's more from the study.

Winter and Carb Cravings

FitSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:02:50 -0800

If you crave carbs during the short days of Winter, you are not alone. There seem to be a couple of physiological factors involved. Since there is less sunlight, due to shorter days, our bodies make less vitamin D (aka the sunshine vitamin). It helps keep your mood nice and sunny since it naturally boosts serotonin levels. Serotonin is the feel-good brain chemical that modulates mood, emotion, and sleep. Carbs provide a serotonin rush, so eating all that bread and pasta is a means of self-medicating with food sources. Exercise also creates serotonin, so don't skimp out on your workouts. You need them during these long nights of Winter to keep your spirits up!

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The Carb Cravings of Winter

FitSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:45:00 -0800

If you crave carbs during the short days of Winter, you are not alone. There seem to be a couple of physiological factors involved. Since there is less sunlight, due to shorter days, our bodies make less vitamin D, aka the sunshine vitamin. The sunshine vitamin is helpful in keeping your mood nice and sunny since it naturally boosts serotonin levels. Serotonin is the feel-good brain chemical that modulates mood, emotion, and sleep. Carbs provide a serotonin rush, so eating all that bread and pasta is a means of self medicating with food sources.

Fit's Tip: Exercise also creates serotonin, so don't skimp out on your workouts. You need them during these long nights of Winter to keep your spirits up!

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Cold Weather and Craving the Fat

FitSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 02:00:00 -0800

According to sports nutritionist Ryan Kohler temperatures below freezing can increase a person’s basic energy needs when compared to the amount of energy it takes to simply "exist" at room temperature, which is between 60 and 70 degrees F. In colder temperatures it takes more energy to keep the core temperature of the body stable. That makes sense, right?

Fit's Tip: I was craving fat like crazy, not that I live in a climate where temperatures get anywhere close to, let alone remain, below freezing. To combat my desire for ice cream I made sure to take my fish oil supplement daily and, anecdotally speaking, it totally helped.

Learn to Love: Brussels Sprouts

FitSugar — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:00:00 -0800

I didn't grow up eating brussels sprouts. My mother was forced to eat overcooked and mushy brussels sprouts as I child so she avoided them, and I did too.

I have since learned to love this veggie that looks like a mini cabbage. I tried to convince my girls last night at dinner that they, too, should love this veggie, but since I was unsuccessful on that front, I am going to try and convince you.

Let me start by saying this is one low-calorie food. A half cup cooked by boiling, which I do not recommend for flavor or texture, only contains 28 calories. The same serving of brussels sprouts will provide your recommended daily intake for vitamin K and almost satisfy the daily requirement for vitamin C. Related to cabbage and broccoli, this veggie is also high in folate and vitamin A, and even contains some omega-3 fatty acids. In studies, eating brussels sprouts daily was shown to optimize cell detoxification, which might help prevent cancer. Plus they are a Winter veggie and are at their peak for tastiness from late Fall until early Spring.

For tips on cooking brussels sprouts, read more.

Start your relationship with these sprouts on the right foot: don't overcook them. My favorite way to prepare them is to roast them. I half each sprout, sprinkle the lot of them with olive oil, and cook them at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes. Then I sprinkle them with salt and lemon juice. Once roasted, they pair nicely with walnuts and goat cheese for an unconventional salad. If you buy them still on the stalk, they taste even better.

How do you feel about brussels sprouts? Love them or hate them, I want to know. If you feel like I do about these little nutritious gems, share how you cook them as well.

Do You Crave Fatty Foods When It Is Cold Outside?

FitSugar — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 03:30:00 -0800

When there is a Winter chill in the air, I crave fat. Milk fat mostly, like cheese and ice cream. The cravings are not limited to just dairy products, duck confit is often top of the list. Corn chips might do in a pinch.

What about you . . .

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The Wonders of Winter Squash

FitSugar — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:00:00 -0800

Winter squash season is peaking right now and you should pick some up next time you're at the grocery store. Here's why. One cup is loaded with vitamin A and beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. Squash is also high in vitamin C, folate and fiber. All this and it is low in calories - about 79 for a cup.

I cut a squash (any or all of them) in half, scoop out the seeds, spray the flesh with a little cooking oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper and roast at 425 degrees for 20 minutes for the small one and 45 minutes for the large ones.

Squash - if the lovely orange of its flesh doesn't sway you, remember it is delicious and nutritious.

Do You Crave Fatty Foods in Winter?

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 04:30:00 -0800

When there is a Winter chill in the air, I crave fat. Milk fat mostly, like cheese and ice cream. But the cravings are not limited to just dairy products; duck confit is often top of the list. Corn chips might do in a pinch. I am wondering if you experience this too, so tell me . . .

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