Diets are usually summer things, maybe even Spring or fall. Yet a winter diet?It's hard when everyone is pushing dense meals, rich with sugar and starch . This helps in keeping you warm against frosty arctic blasts. Yet what happens when you have to lose weight? Can veggies and fruit help when the temps drop.
It'sa good question and yes, there is an answer. Surprisingly roasts can be low calorie.Roast chicken and turkey can help in dropping pounds. A simple roast chicken with lemon, thyme and garlic is not only healthy but also flavorful.Use heart healthy olive oil to rub all over the bird. You can also use sunflower oil which has Vitamin E and antioxidants along with grape seed oil, also rich in antioxidants .It' also milk tasting so you don't have to worry about any "oily" flavor lingering on the chicken. Another good choice is turkey breast which is low in fat but big in protein.Any roasted turkey is a perfect meal, rich in taste. Don;t make the thick gravy that goes with it. Keep it to a thin one. Also rethink that side of mashed potatoes. They're made with a ton of butter and whole milk or cream.Try roasted potatoes that will pair well with the thinner turkey gravy.What about a roast beef dinner? If you buy an eye of round roast that low in fat but big in protein. It does have a caveat.The meat can be tough and chewy. To avoid this, slow cook the cut and cut against the grain for a more melt in your mouth piece.
Veggies and fruits play an important part in any diet. For veggies think the easy sheet pan. You can have fun creating different variations. You can even add meat, poultry or fish to them as well and cook everything at the same time. Try a mix of sweet potatoes, beats carrots and parsnips for a colorful and flavorful sheet pan dinner that can be a main or a side. A good drizzle of olive oil will help caramelize them and keep them from charring and drying out. To flavor them you could add cayenne pepper for some kick or if you want a citrus-y flavor them squeeze lemon or orange juice over them. For a more Italian vibe season with garlic powder and oregano. Salads are always important to any diet. Warm them up by adding leftover and reheated meat from your roasts.Chicken , turkey and beef can be cut up reheated and added to any salad. The same for any leftover sheet pan veggies. As for fruit, there's an abundance of bananas and oranges right now.frozen fruits can also be added to a winter diet. They're still good for you and perfect if you're craving out f season ones like strawberries and blueberries.
Yes you can diet during the winter. It just means getting away from all those heavy calorie rich foods and desserts. Stick to lean meats and produce. You'll feel better even if the middle of a chill season.
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