Winter is the time of year when nature hibernates. It is cleansing itself to start again in the spring. We can take a page from that book by staying healthier this winter.

It’s the one time of year that you don’t have to worry about swimsuits or wearing shorts. You can cover up with sweatshirts and long pants and it is very acceptable. No one will see you properly until the spring so you can eat what you want, right? Wrong!

It is easy for the metabolism to slow down in the winter because we slow down. When you eat but don’t get a lot of activity, your metabolism adjusts. It’s like when you deprive yourself of food on a restrictive diet. The body holds onto stored fat because it doesn’t know where its next meal is coming from.

You don’t want that to happen to you this winter. Instead, find ways to boost your metabolism and stay healthy.

There is a catch-22 here. During the winter we celebrate many holidays that center on food. It is easy to get caught up in high-fat meals, calorie-laden desserts and sitting in front of the television.

Instead, try to incorporate healthy fats into your diet this winter. If you are health conscious, you might be saying why fats at all. Well, fats are a part of the make-up of the body right down to the cells. The body needs certain fats to create cellular membranes, produce certain hormones and also cushion the organs from injury.

Many of the healthy fats that we need can’t be produced in the body. They have to be obtained from food. These good fats are not what we usually see stored in our bodies. Most of that comes when we consume too many fats and do not expend enough energy to use them. They get stored and added to our body fat.

So, what are the healthy fats that the body needs? One that we always hear about is omega-3 fatty acids. They are instrumental in heart health and cellular repair. You can get them from supplements but it is better when they come from food.

Food Sources

Start with seafood and fish. Meat contains fats but there are more saturated fats and omega-6s which are not as healthy as omega-3s. Try salmon, mackerel, crab, shrimp, and other fishes.

Vegetables are also a good source of omega-3s. Opt for soybeans and leafy greens like cabbage and kale. Combining vegetables like these with fish will also boost your intake of healthier fats.

Oils are another excellent source. Consider flaxseed oil, walnut oil, soybean and corn oil. The seeds used to make these oils are also good to consume. You can add them to salads, and as add-ins for side dishes.

Fat is important but in the right ways and amounts. Without them, the body couldn’t produce hormones and maintain cellular integrity.