Asking for help from people that live in cold weather countries

[Carmen_]

Hi! I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. So I am not used to Canadian or European winters and I suffer even during Buenos Aires's relatively warm winters. During cold days, I would eat only sweet bakery, such as muffins, if I weren't trying to lose 6 kg. I crave for that kind of food, but, instead, I try to eat salads and raw fruit. But it's sooooooooooo difficult! How do you do to skip bread or sweet bakery in winter? Please, help this Latinamerican woman untrained for winter diets!

 

[shygemini]

During the winter the last thing i ever want to eat is a salad So I plan on switching to healthy soups. Soups are easy to make, can put in lots of vegetables, different protein sources (beef, chicken, fish, pork, beans, lentils) and different spices. You can make soup with a tomato base, and just add a bit of milk to make a 'cream' soup. You can blend your soups or leave it chunky, for different textures. You can add toppings, like nuts, croutons, or cheese. Soup is very versatile.

Another good thing is stews or chilis...again you can put almost anything in them and they are easy to cook.

 

[ForRealThisTime]

hey Carmen, SOUP!

Make your own soup, it takes about 2 minutes to prepare and cooks for about 30 minutes and will heat you up.

Add whatever vegetables you like but this always works well for me:

broccoli
tomatoes
carrots
onion
red bell pepper
one vegetable stock cube and some chilli powder

Put it all in a pot for 30 minutes and then blend with a hand blender.

Its really good for you, fills you up and keeps you warm.

 

[Carmen_]

During the winter the last thing i ever want to eat is a salad So I plan on switching to healthy soups. Soups are easy to make, can put in lots of vegetables, different protein sources (beef, chicken, fish, pork, beans, lentils) and different spices. You can make soup with a tomato base, and just add a bit of milk to make a 'cream' soup. You can blend your soups or leave it chunky, for different textures. You can add toppings, like nuts, croutons, or cheese. Soup is very versatile.

Another good thing is stews or chilis...again you can put almost anything in them and they are easy to cook.

Thanks, Shygemini and ForThisRealTime! My problem with soup are that I cann't carry it to the office and that a tasty soup requieres long hours boiling and/or a stock cube. I don´t think Knorr stock cubes are healthy! Even if they are low in fat, they have additives and so on. Am I wrong?

 

[shygemini]

Thanks, Shygemini and ForThisRealTime! My problem with soup is that I can carry it to the office and that a tasty soup requieres long hours boiling and/or a stock cube. I don´t think Knorr stock cubes are healthy! Even if they are low in fat, they have additives and so on. Am I wrong?

You can defnitely carry it to the office, my husband does all the time! Either take it in a thermos or in a microwaveable container and heat it up when you are there. YOu can make it the night before

You don't need to use stock cubes, you can use chicken/vegetable broth and get a low sodium variety.

 

[ForRealThisTime]

you can make it without the stock cube if you wish. If I dont use a stock cube I will add a tiny amount of olive oil and some salt and pepper.

It certainly does not take hours, 30 minutes and it is done. That is 2 minutes preparation and 28 minutes cooking whilst you get on with your day.

You could take it to work in a thermos flask or a microwaveable container and heat it up.

 

[shygemini]

you can make it without the stock cube if you wish. If I dont use a stock cube I will add a tiny amount of olive oil and some salt and pepper.

It certainly does not take hours, 30 minutes and it is done. That is 2 minutes preparation and 28 minutes cooking whilst you get on with your day.

You could take it to work in a thermos flask or a microwaveable container and heat it up.

we are totally on the same wavelength lol

 

[Carmen_]

And finally the worst ending took place. I ate a whole Panettone of 600gr alone! I feel so self-disappointed! After a week on just salad and fruit, my weakness emerged again. Why did I do it if I know it's bad for my health? Why did I feel such a strong desire that could not be substituted by a healthy fruit? I need moral support...

 

[Carmen_]

Thank you for your reply! Sometimes I can´t even solve the easiest everyday life "problems"! Thanks again!

One more question: don't you have stronger carb cravings during winter? I never eat cakes in spring or summer or even fall because I prefer having a piece of fruit. But when Buenos Aires's temperature drops to 0°C and it's rainy, I just want to eat muffins or things of that sort. I have quite a strong will power, so I usually avoid eating what I really want, but, all of a sudden, I just burst and do it.

I really admire people living in Canada or the north part of the States that are able to keep fit. Winter turns me down!

Best regards,
Carmen