Stuck in a rut? Sick of winter? Find yourself eating comfort foods? You’re not alone! Here are some simple tips to reboot your winter diet before spring arrives! (P.S. These are tips I will be following myself the next few weeks).

1. Purge the cabinets and kitchen counters of your go-to comfort foods. For some it’s ice cream, cookies or pieces of candy, for others it can be wine or beer, or if you crave salty foods, it can be popcorn, chips and pretzels. Regardless of your vice, get it out of the house!!! Instead aim for some FRESH foods! Fruits, veggies, raw nuts, hummus (my fav!),etc.

2. Create a cut off time at night for snacking/eating. If you have a late dinner, I suggest cutting it off there. If you had an early dinner, then try and have a portioned controlled snack and then cut off the eating. (My cut off time starting today!! is 8pm). Find yourself having a craving? I suggest putting the timer on the microwave for 10 minutes. If you still want to indulge, go for it, (just watch your portion)! Most times once that impulse is gone, people cravings subside and the choose to ditch the snack.

3. Want to jump start that weight loss again? Curb the alcohol! (Sad but true). (When you drink alcohol, your body uses calories from alcohol as fuel and instead of fat, leading to a build up of fatty acids and hindering weight loss). While some alcohol in moderation can even be good for us (yay!), if you are wanting weight loss results, sip on water instead.

4. Prep, prep, prep! That healthy snack or lunch is NOT going to magically appear before you when it’s time to eat or snack. You first need to make a grocery list and go shopping. Think you’re done?  Wrong!  Help yourself out and take a couple minutes after grocery shopping to cut, chop and package up those fruits, veggies, nuts, low fat cheeses, and pretzels into ready to go containers or baggies.

5. Aim to eat a meal or snack every few hours to curb hunger in evenings and to have more consistent energy levels. Beside your lunch, pack at least 1-2 healthy snacks so you always have something on hand to munch on. Try and keep the snacks low in fat and aim for some protein as well as a healthy carbohydrate. Some examples: apple and a Tbsp. of  peanut butter, ½ c trail mix, handful of cocoa dusted almonds, or some chopped veggies and hummus. (Ditch the processed snack foods. Instead aim for a fruit, vegetables, yogurt or piece of cheese).

6. Skip the processed foods. The more foods you prep and cook from home, the more control you have over what foods (Aka Fuel) you put into your body. For your meals, aim for fresh lean proteins such as chicken, turkey or fish paired with fresh vegetables and a whole grain starch (quinoa, sweet potato, whole grain pasta to name a few).

7. Mentioned the water earliler but winter tends to be the time when water intake declines as people sip on coffee drinks, teas and pop instead. Really try and cut back on the caffeine and bump up that water intake! It will increase your energy levels, burn more calories and help curb hunger.

What else are you doing at home to reboot your diet (and exercise routine) before spring hits? Share below or on the Devine Nutrition Facebook page!

~Kelly