As the weather cools down and we head into winter, Mid North Coast residents are being reminded to keep their health in check as the temperature drops.
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Accredited practicing dietitians at JK Healthcare Abbey Sissian and Lily Leighton said the trick to prioritising your health during winter is taking small steps to ensure you're eating healthy, drinking enough water and exercising.
"The biggest issue we see with clients during winter is weight gain and a decrease in physical activity," Abbey said.
"People also tend to eat more when the temperature is cooler and find it more difficult to drink enough water."
Lily said there are a few tips and tricks that people can do to ensure they are staying hydrated throughout the day.
"Herbal teas are a great way to get more water during the day, or sitting a cup next to the sink and trying to drink one cup of water every hour can really help with hydration," she said.
Getting enough goodness into meals in the cooler months can also create some health issues.
"We do suggest to still try and eat five servings of vegetables and two of servings of fruit each day, but that can be difficult in winter. An easy way to fix this is changing recipes into soups or currys instead of salads, that way you're still getting your vegetables in," Abbey said.
"Another way to help boost immunity during winter is using garlic in the meals you cook."
Many people often find it difficult to keep their body moving during winter, but Lily said it's still important to make sure you're getting at least 30 minutes of exercise a day.
"There can be some changes made to the way you exercise during winter to make it easier, whether that be swapping an outdoor walk for an indoor swim or going to a gym class," she said.
"Just moving your body more at home can also help, such as getting up during ad breaks when watching TV at night."
They also said getting a good nights sleep and keeping stress under control goes a long way in improving your health.
"Taking a holistic view and step by step plan for your health can make a big difference," Lily said.
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