Weight gain seems to be inevitable during the winter season. The intake of lip-smacking delicacies seems to be increasing during the winter while the physical activity schedule is heading for a full flip. Reason? Not only would you be able to witness most weddings during the winters, but also several parties welcoming in Christmas and the New Year. Not to mention the cold weather allows you to reach out for some warm and spicy foods such as burger, pizza, fried chicken, fries, etc. While it could satisfy your hunger and make you feel really good, did you realize how many calories were swallowed up in one go?

You may or may not, but that leads to weight gain in the season. But don’t worry about keeping in mind the following suggestions and you’d be able to overcome the weight gain anxiety.

Here are 5 food guidelines that you must obey this season.

• Make your best mates ‘ fruits and vegetables

Eat fruits and vegetables for a good health!! Fruits and vegetables are a food shop that can not only load you but also provide you with a high dose of antioxidants and nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium and folic acid.

Keep on fruits that are rich in vitamin C, such as peach, sweet lime, grapefruit, guava, which can also help keep the cold and the flu at bay.

So if you decide to go for a picnic, eat a bowl of salad or stir fry before leaving for the event, or if you try to fill half your plate with salads at a wedding without the fatty dressings, it will not only fill you up, it will not encourage you to consume too much. Eat at least 2 servings of fruit every day and throw on fruit if you feel the need to snack. You can also add fruits or add them to a yogurt bowl of oatmeal/sugar-free muesli.

• Drink lots of water and herbal teas-

Drink plenty of water with herbal teas! If you need to detoxify your body to maintain a healthy weight, water is very important. It helps you stay full for longer periods and avoid over-eating at any of the meals.

Drink at least 12-15 glasses of water a day, and if you’re bored with the idea of having normal water, throw in some cucumber slices, lemon wedges, mint leaves, and ginger. It would not only give the current bottle of water a great taste, but it will also encourage you to lose weight.

Attach to the daily diet a variety of herbal teas such as chamomile, peppermint, and lemongrass tea and enjoy other benefits.

Herbal teas are without caffeine and have a relaxing and stimulating impact that not only makes for good sleep but also helps to improve digestion.

• Stay away from processed and packaged food

Keep away from food that is processed and packaged! Although refined foods can look very tasty and enticing, they are ultimately responsible for removing you from your objectives for weight loss. Refined foods such as cookies, cakes, pastries, pasta, burgers, bread, doughnuts and pizza load our very own “maida” with refined flour that can lead to a spike in insulin levels and accelerate the process of fat storage in the body.

On the other side, processed products such as Maggi, soups, gravies, sausages are filled with preservatives and high levels of salt that can predispose you to different health conditions.

Instead of consuming such products that may be detrimental to your health, go ahead and eat fiber-loaded foods such as brown rice, peas, quinoa, barley, buckwheat or broken wheat. Not only would these meals help you stay satisfied for a longer period, but they would also reduce the blood sugar levels stable. But eventually, the weight would stay in place and without any weight blues, the winter season would pass easily.

• Do not forget to eat a diet rich in protein

Eat a meal rich in protein to keep you happy! Please strive to eat a high-fiber, moderate protein meal and a low-fat diet. Proteins can help to curb the cravings for sugar to help maintain the weight of one. It can effectively regulate the levels of blood glucose as well. Foods containing high protein amounts have also been seen to have low GI and can, therefore, motivate you to lose weight.

For a daily dose of protein, eat foods such as paneer, Greek yogurt, soy, lentils, beans, chicken, fish, eggs, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, almonds, milk, soy milk, and walnuts. Protein is necessary to give you a sense of completeness and to stop you from going overboard when it comes to food.

• Consume soup between lunch and dinner

A bowl of soup during the winter season! Make it a habit before your lunch or dinner to enjoy a cup of veggie soup. Such exercise would not only fill you up but also guarantee that during lunch and dinner you consume minimal food. This can also help you manage your weight during the day and improve your veggie intake. But don’t apply too much butter or heavy cream to the broth, make sure.

Using carrots, onions, cabbage, beetroot to make fresh soup and incorporate some crushed ginger, garlic, black pepper, and mixed herbs. This broth is good for weight loss while defending you from the cold and flu at the same time. You can also add kidney beans, sprouted moong, paneer, or dal to the current vegetable broth to create a soup of your choice. Enjoy the warmth! It will soothe your throat and allow you to handle the cold weather.