Many believe that eating more food in winter helps keep warm, but in reality, it increases weight and causes obesity problems. According to Al-Watan newspaper, Dr. Linda Jad Al-Haq, a nutrition consultant, stated that winter often comes with weight gain for many people who make mistakes in determining their diet. Most people think that their bodies gain warmth from consuming large amounts of food, especially calorie-rich foods throughout the day.
Dr. Linda emphasized that to warm the body while maintaining physical fitness, one should consume warm drinks rather than overeating: "When a person eats a lot, they gain weight, not warmth." She also mentioned that there are hot beverages that can provide the necessary warmth without leading to obesity, such as cinnamon, ginger, tea, chickpea soup, and salep, in addition to lentil soup and vegetable soup.
Dr. Linda warned against excessive consumption of sweets and relying on them as a main meal for satiety, advising to eat one or two pieces at most after lunch: "We shouldn't deprive ourselves, but we need to eat moderately to maintain our health... The purpose of sweets is to sweeten, not to fill us up."
She suggested eating fruits and vegetables, exercising, and getting good sleep. In conclusion, she stated that the popular idea that eating six smaller meals daily helps maintain body weight and protects against obesity is incorrect, according to recent scientific studies. She advised sticking to the three main meals a day, ensuring that dinner is light so it does not harm one's health, primarily causing insomnia during sleep.
