Cheat Day or Cheat Season? How to Handle Winter Cravings

Hello Ziddis! As we are in the middle of the winter season, you must be craving for so many things especially a hearty bowl of gajar ka halwa! We can only hold ourselves back for so long and then we give in! So how do we manage our winter cravings? Read a bit about cheat day into it and you will find your answers

Winter Cravings

Winter is the season when our bodies are in a restful state. When relaxing our body goes through bouts of indulgences. The seasonal farm goods also bring forth a lot of cravings like wanting some strawberry sundae, some mulberry jams or some gajar halwa. The season also has so many festivities like Christmas and New Year making it even more easy to indulge in our winter cravings. But does this have to make you bid farewell to your health goals? Nope.

Managing Winter Food Cravings

Carbs are often found in the middle of these winter food winters so the best way to manage those winter food cravings is by replacing carbs.

• Swap creamy soups for broths with veggies or meat
• Trade refined flour croissants and hot chocolate for oat porridges or oats protein pancakes
• Replace fried snacks with avocado toast or roasted nuts
• Add spices like cinnamon to your drinks.
• Have a high-protein diet.
• Increase your fibre intake. 

These small swaps can make sure your cravings stay fulfilled in a healthy manner.

Bye to Winter Comfort Food?

There is no need to say goodbye to your favourite winter comfort food. All you have to do is:

• Make sweets like gajar ka halwa with jaggery and ghee instead of sugar
• Use the carrot water to make some carrot broth soup
• Opt for baked treats instead of deep-fried
• Have more warm foods
• Have smaller portions of sweet dishes
• Make sure you have your dessert after your lunch instead of after dinner.
• Include seasonal vegetables like spinach, carrots, and peas in your meals to enhance both flavour and nutrition.
• Make chia seed puddings because chia seeds keep you fuller for longer. 

Cooking at home can also help you control portions and ingredients, ensuring every bite is both delicious and nourishing.

Having a Healthy Cheat Day

We are not trying to take the fun out of your cheat days but add some health to them. Your cheat days don’t need to reset your progress. You could instead focus on mindful eating and stay on track with your fitness goals. Here is how you could have a healthy cheat day:

• Be strict with yourself to not exceed your cheat day limits
• Do not continue the cheat day until the weekend or a week.
• Add some extra activity to burn the calories you put on on your cheat day
• Try to find indulgent foods that are made using healthier alternative ingredients.

Pro tip: Fit foods like protein bars can seem indulgent while they satisfy your sweet tooth but also fuel your body with essential nutrients and keep your health focused.

Takeaway

Winters need not make you into a snowman of guilt. You could have healthy indulgences and enjoy winter cravings as is. Mindfulness while planning your cheat day meals and making healthier choices every day is very important on your fitness journey. So make sure you enjoy the spirit of winter but also do not let go of your health goals.

Sources:

https://www.bistromd.com/blogs/nutrition/healthy-cheat-meal-ideas

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/tips-to-cheat-safely-on-your-healthy-diet

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/overeating-in-winter-5-dos-and-don-ts-to-fight-cravings-101670667153904.html