How To Cook Low-Calorie Comfort Food

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Heading back to work after Christmas isn't traditionally the most fun time. Early starts and cold, dark mornings can leave us feeling somewhat low and down in the dumps – and that's without picking up the inevitable office cold to boot.

For many of us, food is a comforter at this time of year, something to warm us up and make us feel happier about the short days and lack of sunshine. Choosing the right foods during winter can also help to make sure that you're giving your body the nutrients it needs to keep the immune system in check, ready to ward off your colleague's cold just when it's needed.

Yet, as we all know, comfort food can easily lead to excess calories and, before you know it, weight gain – the opposite of what anyone is trying to achieve in January. However, there are plenty of filling, warming options that you can make at home, which should fulfil the need for comfort food, as well as pack in plenty of nutrients to keep your health in check at the same time.

Here are my top tips for cooking winter-warming foods, but keeping your calorie intake down:

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3. Try swapping some of your meaty meal options for plant alternatives such as beans, nuts and pulses, or even trying out the popular “Meat-Free Monday”, which will help to boost the fibre content of your meals – something that most of us need to eat more of all year round.

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