It’s only February and 2015 has already experienced some severe winter storms. Snow has blanketed the Northeast, especially Boston, which received a record-breaking 78 inches of snow in 17 days. Thousands have been snowed into their homes and the storms are still coming. In preparation for the prolonged cold weather, here are some tips to keep you and your family healthy for the remainder of the season.
Winter’s Best Foods
These five foods thrive in cold weather. Brighten up the season by adding these healthy foods to your diet.
Citrus: Lemons, oranges, and grapefruit are juiciest in the winter. Packed with a day’s worth of jVitamin C, these fruits boost your good cholesterol levels while lowering the bad ones.
Winter squash: These vegetables are high in Vitamins A and C and low in calories,
making them the perfect addition to any salad or pasta dish.
Dark leafy greens: Try chard or kale to pack your diet full of Vitamins A, C and K.
Pomegranates: Rich in antioxidants, this food helps improve blood flow and unblock arteries.
Purple Potatoes: Not all starches are bad. Potatoes are rich in Vitamin B6, folate and fiber. Try purple potatoes, which have antioxidants linked to reducing your risk of cancer and heart disease.
Don’t Stop Exercising
Staying active in the winter can be difficult. The snow can put a damper on your outdoor running routine and baggy clothing can make you less aware of changes in your body. Here are some tips for exercising in the winter:
- You can still run outside: Running on snow burns more calories. Buy removable cleats to slip over running shoes to safely grip and tread through snow. Move slower, take smaller strides and avoid downhill routes to prevent dangerous falls.
- If you go outside, layer with drift or wicking clothing.
- Gym memberships: Not interested in the gym once spring rolls around? Check out sites like Groupon to find short-term, affordable packages to stay active for the rest of winter.
- Shoveling snow: Clearing your driveway can be great exercise. However, snow is heavier than it looks, so take breaks and avoid this all together if you have a heart condition.
- At-home fitness routine: Stay inside and work out in your living room with fitness DVDs or complete circuits while catching up on your favorite television shows (ex. 25 squats, 15 push-ups, 1 minute plank, 45 seconds of high knees and repeat).
- Winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and sledding are great calorie burners.
Last year, the United States experienced one of the most brutally long winters in history. This year, don’t let the cold weather keep you lounging and mindlessly eating. Enjoy the season and stay fit—you’ll thank yourself in the spring.
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