These 5 Common Diet Mistakes Will Ruin Your Winter Health

Every season comes with its own unique set of health challenges, and winter weather can affect your body in unexpected ways if you’re not careful. Dieting can be tough enough when the temperature is warm, but winter poses its own unique obstacles when it comes to your eating habits. To help you avoid the common diet mistakes that can ruin your winter health, here are 5 common diet mistakes to avoid during the season!

1) Too Much Carbohydrates

As we prepare for our annual hibernation, one diet tip that shouldn’t be overlooked is our love affair with carbohydrates. It’s no secret that winter diets are loaded with carbs to make us feel warm and fuzzy on cold days, but too many of these can set you up for failure before you even get started. Focus on eating whole grains in moderation, not just because they take longer to digest than their refined counterparts, but also because studies have shown that whole grains actually reduce hunger cravings by helping regulate blood sugar levels (2). Win-win!

2) Fad Diets

Avoid Fad Diets. Yes, these diets are popular because they work, but that’s only in short-term. Long-term effects aren’t safe or healthy. Look for a diet that works with your lifestyle, not against it. Most fad diets try to cut out major food groups which isn’t healthy at all and can cause you to feel unhealthy and low on energy throughout your day. Remember to keep these tips in mind: don’t eliminate whole food groups, consume lean protein sources (not too much red meat), avoid trans fats, exercise moderately and eat tons of fruits and vegetables. Happy dieting! :)

Keeping Busy Outside of Work During Winter Season: Since winter is one of our busiest seasons here at Skinny Mom®--the holidays are always crazy—I find myself outside of work trying to keep busy so I don't think about my upcoming deadline crunch!

3) Drinking Too Much Alcohol

If you live in a cold climate, you may be tempted to drink more alcohol than usual to stay warm. While that might seem like a good idea (especially for your waistline), drinking alcohol is actually known to speed up your metabolism and increase your caloric burn rate. On top of that, if you choose alcoholic beverages rich in carbohydrates and calories, such as beer and cocktails, you can end up with too many empty calories. Those extra calories will not only cause weight gain, but they’ll also make it harder for your body to keep warm! Instead of drinking copious amounts of alcohol, opt for something non-alcoholic like hot cocoa or coffee. Or better yet—get outside! Even though winter temperatures are much lower, winter provides a lot of fun activities that are perfect ways to get some exercise. For example, consider taking up ice skating or cross country skiing; both require physical exertion while still allowing you to enjoy a fun social activity! In fact, research has shown that people tend to eat fewer junk foods during winter months because they are spending so much time outside socializing instead of eating at home. Winter sports might just be an excuse for staying active through these colder months–but hey, who’s complaining?

4) Low Calorie Diets

The purpose of a diet is to promote weight loss, which means calories should be limited. But low-calorie diets are often not nutritionally balanced and can actually contribute to serious health problems, especially during winter. It’s important that you consult your doctor before embarking on any new diet—especially if you have certain health conditions. Following are some common mistakes people make with low-calorie diets

5) Lack of Sleep

Getting enough sleep is an important part of any healthy lifestyle, and winter can wreak havoc on a good night’s rest. With longer nights, colder temperatures, and more hours spent inside, it can be difficult to get yourself into a consistent sleeping routine. If you want to avoid health problems like insomnia and fatigue, try these tips for getting a good night’s sleep during winter months.