All about a Mummy
  • Blog
    • About This Blog
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Baby Stuff
    • Book Club
    • Competitions
    • Family
    • Health & Wellbeing
    • House & Home
    • Kids
    • Kitchen Creations
    • Mum Stuff
    • Out & About
    • Photography
    • Reviews
    • Seasonal
  • About Me
  • Work with me
  • Contact
  • Small Print
    • Privacy Notice

Guest Post: Take your Healthy Diet into Autumn

8/9/2017

12 Comments

 
Picture
As the weather transitions into gloomier, shorter, rain-laden days, we can say goodbye to many summer delicacies which gave your menu that lovely rainbow-like colour palette. Versatility is summer’s second name, but autumn can be a tricky time for maintaining a level of diet diversity.

However, this isn’t an excuse to give up on your health goals or lower your diet standards! On the contrary, this dreamy season offers a plethora of healthy bites ideal for keeping you in good shape, cold-resilient and revelling in autumn feasts.

Think seasonal thoughts

We all wish we could eat watermelons, apricots, cherries, and strawberries all year-round, but the change of scenery also brings a whole new gang of tasty fruits and veggies for nutrient-dense meals. And truth be told, you can always choose the frozen or dried varieties that are available any time, but going seasonal lets you eat fresh produce brimming with vitamins and minerals that bring numerous benefits for your cardiovascular health, weight management and mental wellbeing.

For instance, autumn is ideal for apple pies and bell peppers filled with minced meat, munching on raw pears and grapes, while leafy greens such as kale, broccoli, spinach and lettuce can serve as a mighty kick of prevention to all those flus and colds skulking around in the autumn.

Shop locally

Picture
Not only will you support the growth of your community, but shopping at your nearby farmer’s market is a sure-fire way to supply yourself with healthy, locally-grown groceries well into the colder season. It might take you a few extra trips to keep your kitchen cabinets full, but you will get fresh, recently-picked fruits and vegetables with more nutrients preserved than those in the supermarket.

Plus, locally grown food tastes better and is grown in conditions best for the specific type, so you can always enquire with your local farmers as to the best times to shop for certain produce and the best ways to prepare them. You’d be surprised just how many incredible recipes you can hear from those who grow food in their own gardens –they are the true foodies of the modern times!

Superfoods for immune support

Unlike the easy-breezy summer weather that lets you stay healthy for months on end, the volatile winds and rains of autumn bring a whole new batch of viruses to keep you occupied with sniffles, sneezes and the like. As a result, your body needs a boost of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to be on the safe side of autumn.

However, a slightly less versatile menu makes it more difficult to provide your body with all it needs through diet alone. That is why it’s best to supplement your nutrition with reliable Solgar vitamins that include various mixtures of vitamins and minerals designed to ward off threats to your immune system. You can even start a few weeks early just to prepare yourself with proper preventative measures and greet the gloomy days with more resilience.

Autumn days will have you tempted to eat more, according to numerous studies, even as much as 200kcal more than your summer diet. Blame it on the lack of light, the sheer number of holidays or the need to prevent the winter blues with sugar cravings, but you will need to keep track of your meals to stay healthy.

Empty your kitchen of all those processed sugary sweets and candy, and replace them with healthy, filling snacks such as nuts, seeds, dried and raw fruits, or homemade treats you’ll eat in moderation. A handful of almonds or pumpkin seeds can help you control your appetite, and still provide your body with many healthy ingredients, unlike marshmallows or sweet pastry.

One sip at a time

Picture
The summer heat and plenty of physical activity easily inspire you to drink plenty of healthy fluids during summer to stay hydrated. However, as you switch to sweaters and turtlenecks, you will probably crave hot cocoa and coffee to keep you alert in the early morning. Still, caffeine and sugary sodas aren’t the best choice to support your autumn diet.

Instead, opt for fresh water, an occasional cup of coffee or soothing herbal tea and plenty of hydrating fruits that will keep the water weight off, keep your metabolism at full speed and also help you manage your appetite better. You can combine the power of lemon by starting your day with a glass of lemon-infused water and a dab of ground ginger.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to creative autumn recipes and clever solutions to keep you healthy, so make the most of the colder season and use it to unleash your inner foodie one healthy choice at a time.
Samantha Oliver has a B.Sc. in nutrition, and has spent two years working as a personal trainer. Since then, she has embarked on a mission to conquer the blogosphere. When not in the gym or on the track, you can find her on Ripped.me, or in a tea shop
12 Comments
Heidi Brown link
9/9/2017 09:47:04 am

I am definateley turning a corner as Autumn arrives. My diet has ben very poor the last few months so I am going on a health binge. Sugar detox for sure and changing my foods for wholewheats and seeds and nuts. Reducing refined carbohydrates. Hopefully I can go into autumn with more energy, better sking and a few pounds lighter!

Reply
fivelittledoves link
9/9/2017 07:39:53 pm

Great advice. Eat seasonal is always good advice, and drink more water too. I'm terrible for not drinking enough!

Reply
Nafisah link
10/9/2017 12:55:06 am

I am trying to work on all of these, especially the local shopping. Their goods are super fresh and I love the atmosphere..

Reply
Lucy | Real Mum Reviews link
10/9/2017 11:18:08 am

I could definitely do with an immune system boost in this house! We've had autumn lurgy already!! 😩

Reply
Tatiana Sieff link
11/9/2017 09:20:11 am

I had no idea that we're more likely to eat an extra 200cals in the colder months... Definitely explains a lot hahaha!

Reply
Jo of Jo's Kitchen link
11/9/2017 11:07:17 am

Lots of great advice here. I love autumn and the comfort food that it brings

Reply
Toni | This Mama link
11/9/2017 01:18:17 pm

Definitely agrees about clearing the cupboards, if it's in the house then I end up eating it. I've started buying the kids snacks that I don't like so I'm not tempted!

Reply
Fashion and Style Police link
11/9/2017 02:48:57 pm

I love the advice here. We shop locally as much as we can.

Reply
Cal at Family Makes link
11/9/2017 08:49:24 pm

My diet has definitely taken a nosedive the past few weeks - I think I'm comfort eating as the weather turns colder. Great tips to be more aware and keep up the healthy eating.

Reply
Elizabeth link
12/9/2017 07:11:28 am

This time of year our locally grown organic veg box is bursting will all sorted of beautiful veg, so we have no problem eating healthy this time of year. It's the Christmas period when the veg runs out that's the problem, lol! :)

Reply
Sarah link
12/9/2017 05:16:19 pm

I'm terrible for drinking more coffee ash the weather cool down. need to substitute for something better

Reply
Vanessa @ Olivia's New Life link
12/9/2017 10:56:39 pm

Great article! I still fancy strawberries. Is that still the season?

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Welcome!

    Artist, Baker and Blogger. Mum to my two beautiful, cheeky girls. Muddling my way through parenthood with equally cheeky Husband. 

    Picture
    Follow

      Newsletter

    Subscribe

    Categories

    All
    About This Blog
    Arts And Crafts
    Baby Stuff
    Book Club
    Competitions
    Family
    Health And Wellbeing
    House And Home
    Interviews
    Kids
    Kitchen Creations
    Mum Stuff
    Out And About
    Photography
    Pregnancy Diary
    Reviews
    Seasonal

    BritMums - Leading the Conversation
    mumsnet

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

All images and content on this site are copyright allaboutamummy.co.uk 2013-2022. All rights reserved.
PRIVACY POLICY

Please do not use images without permission. Thank you.
  • Blog
    • About This Blog
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Baby Stuff
    • Book Club
    • Competitions
    • Family
    • Health & Wellbeing
    • House & Home
    • Kids
    • Kitchen Creations
    • Mum Stuff
    • Out & About
    • Photography
    • Reviews
    • Seasonal
  • About Me
  • Work with me
  • Contact
  • Small Print
    • Privacy Notice