image from google
Anyone over the age of 55 is urged to follow a 'winter meal rule' in January as a bout of cold weather strikes the UK. Multiple yellow national severe weather warnings for snow and ice have been issued by the Met Office as Arctic air brings a prolonged spell of freezing weather to the country for the start of the new year.
The warnings affect parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales, and central and southern England from Saturday, January 3, until Tuesday, January 6, with temperatures forecast to be well below average. The national forecaster has warned households to brace for widespread frost and ice, and an increasing risk of snow showers, with the conditions making travel hazardous over the coming days.
The weather warnings coincide with amber cold health alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for all of England until January 6.
With the country facing bitterly cold conditions, those aged over 55 are urged to take measures to protect against the freezing conditions as colder temperatures can become harder on the body as we get older.
According to the Met Office, from around the age of 55 we lose around 1% of our muscle mass every year and while this may not sound like much, it does mean our bodies have to work much harder to stay warm.
It means taking small steps to protect against the cold during the winter season is vital to fend off common illnesses, such as colds, flu, coughs and Covid, which are often rife at this time of the year.
A key way to do this is simply to follow a 'winter meal rule' when the weather turns cold. According to the Met Office, eating at least one hot meal per day and drinking regular hot drinks will help your body to stay warm in cold conditions..
In its cold weather advice, the forecaster says: "As we get older, our body has to work harder to keep us warm. From about the age of 55+, we lose around 1% of our muscle mass every year. It doesn't sound like a lot, but our muscle keeps us warm.
"So it's really important to wrap up warm when you go outside. In the home, eating at least one hot meal every day and drinking regular hot drinks helps, as does getting up and moving every now and again."
It's also recommended that you keep moving throughout the day, even if you are stuck inside, so you should try not to sit still for more than an hour or so, and ensure your house stays warm by heating it to at least 18C.
The Met Office adds: "It is important to keep warm in winter both inside and outdoors. Keeping warm can help to prevent colds, flu and more serious health problems. Eating regularly helps keep you warm so try to have at least one hot meal a day along with regular hot drinks.
"Keep your house warm and your bedroom window closed especially on cold winter nights, as breathing cold air can be bad for your health as it increases the risk of chest infections.
"With many of us having to spend more time at home it can make it harder to keep active. It's important to continue to do what you can to stay active as this can help with both your physical and mental health.
"Try to keep moving when you are indoors, try not to sit still for more than an hour or so. Break up your time spent being inactive by walking around your home or standing up from your chair when you are on the phone."
Words from article seen here
~ For those who do not live in the UK you may still find these tips helpful ~
Five warming soup recipes
Rustic Roast Chicken Soup - see here
Quick Minestrone Soup - see here
Tomato Soup with onions, carrot and celery - see hereCheezy Vegan Broccoli Soup - see here
All the best Jan
30 comments:
...the Rustic Roast Chicken Soup sounds good to me.
Stay warm everyone!
I've never heard of a winter meal rule before, but there's some good advice there. It's very cold and snowy in our area and we have lots of soup and chili this time of year.
Good advice. And, to get all available vaccines to help we elderlings fight off bad germs! Linda in Kansas
it has been very cold here in new jersey but i think we are headed for a warm up. only one real measurable snows but the winter is really just getting started!! we eat a lot of soup during the winter, i could certainly use to add a few of these to my rotation!! i have been home more not so much because of the cold...more because of the super flu, it's been really widespread here!!
i forgot to say, i love the picture!!
Dear Jan, the photo looks so soothing and heartwarming! Thank you so much for sharing this information.
That's good advice Jan for winter and older people.
Utilizziamo questo articolo, non sapevo che già dopo i 55 anno iniziassimo a perdere massa muscolare.
Anche qui da noi il freddo in questi giorni è pungente.
Very good advice. A good idea to have a well stocked cupboard/freezer at this time of year.
Then take good care of yourself, Jan, and thank you for these tips and recipe collection. It's getting cold here too but not as cold as where you are!
Hugs, Elke
Good advice Jan, Thanks for sharing the soup recipes. Avril xx
Good advice Jan! It seems like I am hearing more people are getting sick lately. My son and family all had something close to Christmas, luckily it did not pass on to hubby and I. Take good care of yourself. Enjoy your day and the week ahead.
I have never heard of that rule but it totally makes sense! I have been doing those recommended things all along because they do make sense and they work!
Great advice!
Some practical tips, Jan! Weight lifting helps too :-))
Thank you Jan, good advice. I like to warm up with a hot drink if I end up with a chill after coming in from outside.
Carla
Been really cold up here Jan -5C! Bee playing jip with my sore leg today, it's that cold!
I've never heard of that rule, but I do tend to drink a lot more hot tea in winter, and an occasional hot chocolate.
I have never heard of that rule or about a winter meal. Good advice and I try to do all the tips you mentioned.
Guess what - I made a hearty vegetable soup today and cornbread!
That sounds like our winter weather every year. :)
This is a really interesting post. I always wondered why as you age you feel the cold more.
One thing I do enjoy during the winter is washing my dishes by hand instead of the dishwasher, it keeps me warm to do them in the warm water, really getting up and doing any cleaning helps. Hope you stay warm!
The idea of a winter meal rule is new to me. Soup and hot drinks are definitely consumed here during the colder months.
I've never heard of a winter meal rule but it's a really good idea! That, plus tea -- should keep you cozy!
Las sopas son muy buenas para el invierno. Por aquí también hace mucho frío. Besos.
A lot of common sense in this post. The rule of a hot meal every day should be an every day occurrence for any age especially in winter.
Some good advice about eating and drinking in these colder days. Especially important to stay warm and to try to move around a bit more. Thank you for these useful reminders, Jan
I've never heard it referred to as the 'winter meal rule' before but it's definitely good advice. The problem will be for those older people who can't afford one good hot meal a day.
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