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Eat yourself happy

13th May 2021

Eat yourself happy this winter time. 

It is almost time to get out your winter woollies. Winter is a time of year that conjures images of steaming hot chocolates, and cosy weekends down South. But for some, winter time is something they would rather skip! Leaving for work in the dark, arriving home in the dark and getting drenched somewhere in between is not everybody’s cup of tea. It is little wonder that mood disorders are at their highest in the colder months. 

Knowledge is power so let us show you how Feed Me can help you get prepared for winter and avoid those winter blues!

Firstly, let’s dive into the science behind winter and mood changes. As the temperature drops the number of daylight hours also dwindles. That means less opportunity to get exposure to sunlight, which can impact your mood directly through its effect on the happy hormone, serotonin, and indirectly by its role in sleep-wake cycles (circadian rhythm). In Perth, the average amount of daylight hours reduces to 10 hours per day compared to 14 hours during the summer months. This is significant when you consider the typical workday is 8 hours, and the average daily commute in Perth is 59 minutes. That leaves just 1 hour to soak up that mood boosting sunshine during winter!

Winter also has the potential to impact your mood through the effects on your appetite and food preferences. It is scientifically proven that we eat more and have more cravings for higher calorie foods in winter, a recipe for weight gain and a low mood. It is believed that we eat more in winter because our appetite is stimulated in response to the cooler weather. Eating generates heat which in turn raises our internal body temperature to compensate for lower external temperatures. Carbohydrate cravings are linked to cold weather via the happy hormone from earlier, serotonin. Eating carbohydrates (such as pasta, rice and potatoes) releases serotonin, and can be your body’s way of adjusting to less exposure to sunlight in winter. Some researchers suspect that these responses are evolutionary tactics to help us fatten up to survive the tough environmental conditions in winter, like animals do. Unlike animals, however, most of us are doing our best to avoid extra weight gain! And those extra kilos can make it hard for some of us to stay upbeat. So what is the solution? 

How do you free up your time in the afternoons (so you can maximise your sunlight exposure), satisfy those cold weather cravings but also avoid gaining weight so you stay healthy and happy this winter time? 

If this is sounding impossible then we can assure you it is not. You can in fact do all of these things in just a few clicks!

The Feed Me range of home delivered, premade meals is filled with winter warming dishes that are ready in a matter of minutes saving you time to get out in the sun. The 5 dishes selected below contain the starches your body will be craving to keep your serotonin boosted, combined with a generous protein serve to keep you full – all of this with no more than 450 calories per serve. These dishes are designed to keep you satisfied and the unwanted kilos away so that you can feel your best, with time to get the most out of the winter months!

Read on to find out more about our dishes:

Beef Goulash

If winter has you hankering for slow cooked meats and pasta then Beef Goulash is for you. Tender chunks of slow-braised beef in a paprika and a tomato based sauce. It is a classic, hearty dish that’s served with satisfying elbow pasta and short-cut green beans. Guilt-free with less than 400 calories per serving, <2 g fat per 100 g with a whopping 33 g protein.

Goan Fish Curry

The gentle spice in this curry is sure to keep you cosy. A wonderfully delicate and fragrant curry authentic to Southern India. White fish fillets are simmered in a mild turmeric and coconut curry sauce with silky spinach leaves throughout and Basmati rice to satisfy those carbohydrate cravings. You will not regret it with only 452 calories per serving, <5 g fat per 100 g and almost 22 g of protein.

Hickory BBQ Beef

The warm smoky flavours in this meal are perfect for winter. The 18 hour slow-cooked beef chunks infused with smoky hickory, paprika, chili and cumin, with that signature sweetness of the American South. This dish is perfectly balanced with paprika roast potatoes, baton carrots and fresh green beans. The 36 g of protein will keep you satiated for just 354 calories per serving and <3 g fat per 100 g.

Spicy Southern Chicken

If a flavour hit keeps you satisfied then this dish is for you. Two lean chicken breast strips coated in a spicy crumb, topped with a kicking Salsa Ranchera sauce. Accompanied by smooth starchy pumpkin mash and roasted broccoli florets; this dish is a great taste bud wake up. This dish will easily fit into your calorie budget with just 348 calories per serve and <1 g of fat per serving but won’t leave you hungry with over 25 g of protein per serving.

Moroccan Chickpea Curry

This dish is aromatic, wholesome and tasty. It will make you glad you decided to eat in for this wintery evening! A mild, Middle-Eastern style vegetable curry that combines the great nutty flavour and slightly crunchy texture of chickpeas with a vegetable medley of tomatoes, zucchini and pumpkin and served with comforting couscous and green beans. You can enjoy this dish knowing it only has 360 calories and <1 g fat per 100 g and a significant protein content for a vegetarian dish at close to 14 g per serving.

If you have concerns about your weight, our Dietitian has designed meal packages for weight loss specific to the requirements for males and females. Check them out here.

Sending you our best wishes for a happy and healthy winter time.

The Gourmania Team

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