Has the winter cold affected your eating and cravings?

Has the winter cold affected your eating and cravings?  It certainly has for me.  I’ve been craving carbs and warm soups much more recently, and I’ve learned that we need to pay attention to what our bodies may be wanting more of during this season.  Warm hearty soups can be very satisfying and filling, in many ways.

The best soups are broth based and filled with veggies and protein, like beans.  I’ve fallen in love with minestrone, lentil, and black bean soups.  They’re filling and very tasty, too.  Of course, I grew up on rich chili and chicken noodle soup.  I still love chili, but I’m just careful about portions.  I didn’t really know how much I enjoyed lentil and black bean soups, so that’s been a treat to explore and find new favorites.

If your body is craving something, it’s not useful to simply repress the craving.  That usually backfires in ways we don’t want.  Get curious about the craving – what is it that you’re really wanting?  Is it the warm feeling or memory that a particular winter food brings back?  Is it a natural instinct to pack on carbs to ward off the cold?  Are you bored because you’re house-bound?  If you can uncover what’s behind the craving, then you can better respond to it in healthy ways.