Here at Fitzers, we can’t wait for the Christmas season to begin! Unfortunately, before and after the big day, the colder weather can have a detrimental effect not only on our physical health but our mental wellbeing too. Taking care of yourself starts from the inside out so make sure to focus on good food and staying warm this winter! Here are our tips to stay positive and not let your body hibernate this winter season
Get plenty of the sunshine vitamin:
With colder weather creeping in, it’s tempting to stay indoors in the warmth more than usual. It’s important to keep up your usual fitness routine in winter and even more important to soak up the sun on the rare occasion it makes an appearance. Vitamin D is produced by sunshine and we all know how little we get over the darker months, so eating a diet rich in Vitamin D foods is a good substitute. Not only is it good for boosting energy level and moods, it also supports your immune system, bone health and many other aspects of the body. Some examples of Vitamin D rich foods are fatty fish, eggs, cereals & mushrooms.
Warm from the inside out:
Wrapping up well is so important during the colder months. Investing in a good winter jacket, a hat and gloves can save you feeling miserable and catching a dreaded winter flu or a cold that takes weeks to go away! Keep your insides warm by filling up on hot tea & hot water. You should avoid drinking too much coffee as it dehydrates the body and can cause problems in the digestive system. Instead, boost your immune system by choosing some delicious herbal teas like chamomile & green tea or cinnamon & ginger to soothe a sore throat. If all else fails, enjoy a festive cup of mulled wine to get you into the holiday spirit!
Wake up happy:
With darker mornings comes the struggle to get out of bed in the morning. The scientific reason behind this is, during the Winter months more of our sleep hormone ‘melatonin’ is produced which can leave us feeling lethargic and a little bit down. Our happy hormone Serotonin often needs a boost as soon as we wake up to avoid feeling sluggish for the day. Start off with a glass of water to wake up the digestive system, then enjoy a varied breakfast of eggs, spinach, nuts, seeds and soy products.
Get your 5-a-day:
Fruit is often the last thing on our minds when it’s cold; we’d usually choose a more warming, filling snack to keep us going. It’s so important to still eat your 5-a-day over the winter months as your body depends on those vitamins to fend off any nasty colds going around. Citrus fruits, especially oranges, lemons and limes are in-season over the colder months and taste extra juicy. They’re also loaded with Vitamin C, which is necessary for a working immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones and teeth.
You can avail of the many ingredients listed above through our variety of dishes and drinks at our Winter Festival at Fairyhouse Racecourse on Saturday 30th November and Sunday 1st December as well as the Christmas Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse between 26th-29th December. For more information, or to book, contact us on sales@fitzerscatering.ie.
