Our hectic lifestyles and packed schedules often lead to unhealthy eating habits, particularly around Christmas. We eat even more junk food and unhealthy snacks. Admittedly, the smell of freshly baked cookies and Christmas Stollen is very tempting. When temperatures drop, our cravings for fatty, high-caloric foods increase. That’s normal as our body needs more energy and calories in colder temperatures. Just think of your house: your furnace needs a lot more energy in the winter than it does in plus 20. However, you wouldn’t use just anything to fire up your furnace, would you? The right fuel will not only extend the lifespan of your furnace, but also guarantee that it runs smoothly. And the exact same thing is true for your body: high-quality food equals smooth running. Pun intended. 😉
By now, you may think that I’ll ask you to NOT eat the cake or cookies. Stop rolling your eyes - here’s the good news: I am not a big believer in dieting as it only works as long as you’re willing to stick with this exact diet for the rest of your life. Pretty scary, isn’t it? Well, surprise! I am asking you to add some foods to your diet. If you can add berries and nuts, it’ll make quite a difference. Positive side effects: sugar cravings might disappear entirely. So, are you up for my next challenge?
As a first step, add some blueberries, almonds, and cinnamon to your diet. Blueberries and almonds are part of a group called superfoods. I recommend frozen blueberries as they are picked fresh and flash frozen, so all the nutrients are locked in. If you can start your day with blueberry-almond oatmeal/yogurt/cornflakes and sprinkle some cinnamon on top, you’ll pamper your body with a meal rich in antioxidants and disease-fighting nutrients. Cinnamon has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels. This, in turn, blocks sugar cravings. The vitamin C in blueberries is a powerful antioxidant and supports your immune system. With a breakfast like this, you’ll have more energy and feel full for longer. And after only a little while, you’ll shake your head in disbelief and wonder why you haven’t tried this yummy breakfast before.
Did you know? There’s science behind healthy eating and superfoods: antioxidants and vitamins have significant health benefits. Superfoods help fight inflammation, thus decreasing the risk of heart disease. Blueberries have lots of antioxidants, which are known to have anti-inflammatory properties. Not only does a healthy diet with superfoods contribute to a reduction in high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, it also reduces the risk of developing certain cancers.
My moment of gratitude: Today I’m truly grateful to have access to fresh food and be able to prepare my own meals. I am also thankful for giving in to cravings and guilty pleasures every now and then – I’m only human after all. With that being said, however, I am also free to pick fresh and healthy foods to support a well-functioning body. And the best part of it all is that I have full control over what I put in my body to maintain physical and mental health. I am truly blessed!