If you’re starting to feel the effects of the cooler days and longer nights, here are a few tips to help keep you happy and healthy this Fall:
Eat your B vitamins
Even marginal deficiencies of the B vitamins can cause irritability, depression, and mood changes. Be sure your diet is stacked full of foods high in vitamin B6 such as meat, fish, whole grains, bananas, and potatoes. It’s best to get these nutrients though food instead of supplement.
Take Vitamin D
Low sun levels mean it's harder to get the vitamin D you need to stay healthy. Eat foods rich in vitamin D, including oily fish, egg yolks and fortified milk and milk alternatives (like almond milk). Your Dietitian might also recommend a supplement (1000IU).
Drink warm water
It may be pouring buckets and you may be cold, but keep glugging back the water. Staying hydrated assists in flushing toxins out of your body, metabolizes fat more efficiently and allows the nervous system to work more effectively, helping you feel better all around. Warm water or a decaffeinated tea is also a good option.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s can elevate mood and reduce depression. Fatty fish and fish oil supplements should be part of your winter diet. However, it does take time—several weeks at least—to benefit from dietary omega-3s, so get started now, be a bit patient, and look forward to feeling better and having more energy.
Stay Away Colds and Flus
To help prevent, or get rid of, cold and flus by taking garlic, vitamin C and yogurt with probiotics. Also aim to eat orange root vegetables, citrus fruits or broccoli every day. Colourful fruit and vegetables are high in immune-boosting antioxidants.