Three Ways to Stay Healthy this Fall
Despite a somewhat warm transition into the season, September 22nd was actually the first day of fall. As cooler weather settles in, scraping frost off of our car windows and zipping up jackets once again becomes part of our daily routines. Cool weather also means eating more comfort food to help keep us feeling warm and cozy. Here are three ways to maintain healthy eating habits this fall, even though pumpkin-spiced lattes and other calorie-laden foods are inevitably on the horizon.
Don’t let life throw you for a loop.
The kids are back in school and with that comes after-school activities, practices and more, which doesn’t leave you a lot of time to make or serve a healthy meal – or so you thought! Rather than becoming a regular at your favorite fast food chain, take the time to plan ahead and meal prep your weekly meals. Not only will this help you stay organized, but it will also help you stay healthy as you make a conscious effort to find recipes that are full of nutrients and won’t add on the extra pounds.
Fall into produce.
Watermelons, berries, peaches and the like are saying goodbye for another year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the delicious fall varieties of produce. Fall lends itself to healthy fruits and vegetables, like crisp apples, Vitamin A-packed pumpkin, Brussel sprouts and more! Fruits and vegetables with dark, rich colors are packed with essential vitamins and nutrients and can help you avoid piling on extra pounds. Kale is also an extremely nutritious and versatile vegetable to add to your repertoire. Here’s a simple Lemon-Garlic Kale Salad recipe from the New York Times to get you started!
Stay hydrated.
In the warm summer months, you are constantly aware of your thirst, so much that it may seem like you can never have enough water on hand. As the temperatures start to cool off, you might not be as cognizant of your daily water intake because you might not be feeling as parched. However, staying hydrated is very important in keeping your body running at an optimal level and keeping your immune system strong. Make sure you’re getting at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of water every day.
