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By: Hayley Armitage (B. Nutrition Science) 
As those cold winter days start to roll in, here are tips and tricks to help you keep the summer body all year round. Here are 5 winter warming tips:
- PACK IN THE VEGETABLES.
Winter is the best time to cook up roast vegetables! Don’t limit yourself to just the classic Sunday roast potatoes. Add in some roast pumpkin, sweet potato, capsicum, onion, carrot, cauliflower, squash, asparagus or even eggplant. - MIX IT UP.
Try something new every week! I would suggest a different soup or broth-based soup each week to keep your body warm and your stomach full. Try a classic tomato or pumpkin soup one week then, in the following week, try a chicken wonton or beef minestrone broth-base soup. Soups are PACKED with vegetables, so all the natural vitamins and minerals are captured in the soup base and, along with the meat, creates a delicious and healthy meal every time! - STAY HYDRATED.
When your body is cold it needs a little extra help to carry out its everyday tasks. By staying hydrated throughout winter your body will be able to maintain everyday digestive and cognitive tasks as well as boost your immune system to help fight off unwanted infections. FUN FACT: staying hydrated in winter also helps keep you warm! - IMMUNE SUPPORT
In winter it is important to maintain an active immune system to fight off infections and bacteria. Staying hydrated is just one step to helping boost your immune system BUT in addition to this, you should ensure your diet is rich in citrus and dark leafy green fruits and vegetables. - EVERYTHING IN MODERATION.
Don’t feel like you can’t enjoy some dessert every now and then! In summer, it’s easy to pick up a piece of fruit after dinner but in winter we all lean towards something that is going to warm us up before we sleep (warm choc chip cookies are my kryptonite). It is perfectly fine to have a warm treat after dinner but make sure you keep it in moderation, a smaller piece of apple pie with tea instead of coffee or a hot chocolate.
Some meal suggestions from me to you:
- Curries and Dahl (add all the spices)
- Soups (especially chicken broth-based soup)
- Classic roasts (with an array of vegetables of course)
- Slow-cooked meals (beef ragu is my favourite)
- Apple pie with a crispy almond top
