Australia’s nutrition experts are sharing their tips to beating winter waist gain after one of Australia’s biggest health surveys found that almost two thirds of adults have a waistline above national health guidelines.
Kate Gudorf, spokesperson for the Dieticians Association of Australia, says that cooler weather and more time spent indoors means that more Australians are tempted to eat comfort foods. According to the 2011-2012 National Health Survey, results published last month found that 60% of males and 67% of females have waists measuring greater than 94cm for men and 80cm for women.
These results mean that many Australians are being put at higher risk of serious health problems like heart disease, type two diabetes, and some cancers.
“Our bodies are like cars, they need the right fuel in the right amounts to keep them in tip-top condition,” says Kate Gudorf.
Ms Gudorf says that there are many ways Australians can find comfort in winter without accepting weight gain as a normal occurrence.
“There are plenty of ways to survive the chilly months without giving up those warming winter comforts,” says Kate Gudorf.
Ms Gudorf shares her favourite winter warmers that won’t break your budget or cause you to take refuge in fattening winter meals:
– Soups and Casseroles: An easy way to warm up at the end of the day is to indulge in healthy soups and casserole dishes filled with lean meat, lentils and plenty of vegetables.
– Hot drinks: By skipping hot drinks with added sugars and sweet syrups, you can save yourself from consuming too much sugar during winter. Try drinking water based hot drinks such as tea, or creamier drinks with reduced-fat milk.
– Baked or Poached Fruit: Warming up your fruit is a healthy way to satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard. Try adding some reduced-fat yoghurt or custard for a delicious winter dessert without the guilt.
