Survival chocolate
It was 11 a.m. on a Saturday morning, and my husband and I were standing in the kitchen decimating a bag of chocolate chips.
“This is not good,” I said.
“We’re mainlining,” he responded. Yes, we refer to our chocolate habit in the same way most people describe a serious drug problem. Drug addicts mainline heroin; we mainline chocolate chips. Since chocolate chips are not what I could call “enjoyable” chocolate (as opposed to truffles or chocolate-covered strawberries), they serve a medicinal purpose. And we seem to really turn to our “medicine” in the colder months of winter.
Curious, I did some research on why this seems to be an annual occurrence. It turns out there are scientific reasons for it.
Sunlight helps our bodies produce serotonin, which is a natural appetite suppressant. Days are much shorter, which means less serotonin for everyone. However, those of us in cold, cloudy climates are even more affected. Carbohydrates boost serotonin, which means we crave things like cookies, cake, bread, chips, pretzels, etc.
Cold temperatures lead our bodies to want to fatten up to get through the winter. If you look at outdoor animals such as squirrels, this makes perfect sense. (The hibernation aspect also lines up, at least in our house.)
We are more depressed in the winter, and turn to food for an emotional boost. The days are dark, there is little going on. Just getting through the day can be difficult. Sinking your teeth into a piece of chocolate can be extremely satisfying and rewarding.
We are dehydrated in the winter. The air is dry inside and outside, and drinking is not something we really think about in the winter. Sometimes, thirst can be mistaken for hunger.
Healthy food is less available and appetizing. No farmer’s markets, no locally-grown fresh fruits and vegetables. And as much as I want to eat salad in the winter, the desire just is not there.
I don’t know about you, but I am hoping to use these quiet months of winter to slim down, not gain weight. But it is an uphill battle when the odds are stacked against us here in the Northeast U.S. I do have some hacks for outsmarting Mother Nature:
Instead of salads, I make soup. It is almost the same thing: lots of vegetables and lean protein. It is filling and comforting. Bone broth has the added benefit of being extremely healing for your gut. Any way you slice it, soup is a nutritious alternative to salad on a cold day.
I try to exercise in the winter. Warming up, getting your blood moving, can “outsmart” the part of your body that wants to crawl into bed with a bag of chips. Plus you are burning calories and getting stronger.
I do not deny myself chocolate, as noted above. It has many antioxidants and is considered by some to be a superfood. However, I try to limit it and focus on healthier options. For baked goods, I like cookies and brownies from Simple Mills, which are lower in carbs. We make frequent trips to Fantasy Candies here in Cleveland, as it has chocolate-covered strawberries weekly, and a variety of dark chocolate with superfood mix-ins. I also make banana bread with chocolate chips, which is made with almond and oat flours, bananas and honey. (I will not tell you to forgo chocolate for something like a raspberry, as I’ve seen on some blogs. I find this kind of advice insulting and unrealistic.)
I start every day with a “hot chocolate” made with Amy Myers Double Chocolate Protein Powder. I add a pinch of salt and a dab of caramel almond milk coffee creamer. It is so good that I down all 16 ounces very quickly. A great way to hydrate with very little sugar and high protein. My son, who is EXTREMELY picky, loves this drink.
I don’t feel deprivation is a good option for most of us, and often leads to bingeing. Making smart choices allows you to have the things you need without jeopardizing your health. And let’s face it…in the darkest days of winter, we all need to treat ourselves in one way or another.
