Winter Foods To Stay Warm And Healthy During Winter Season

Cold breezy weather is a good time, but it has many adverse effects on our health. The nip in the air, drains us out of our energy, slows down metabolism and we tend to indulge in a lot more snacking and deep fried goodies to feel satiated.

Mother Nature has bestowed us with a myriad of healing foods that have impressive nutrient profile. This season, include some of these foods in your winter diet to stay energetic and healthy.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is packed with fibre and protein and is good for heart and weight loss. Many health experts around the world vouch for the health benefits of oatmeal and recommend consuming a bowl of oatmeal daily to avoid any heart-related ailments. A bowlful of hot masala oats with veggies can be a real treat to your taste buds and your health.

Green Tea

Unlike black tea, green tea does not undergo oxidation and withering process, hence, it is considered to be a healthier alterative of your regular tea. Packed with antioxidants, green tea helps boost the immune system and keeps winter diseases like cold and cough at bay. Moreover, it has an active ingredient called catechins, which is known to boost our metabolism and further helps in shedding kilos.

According to Bangalore-based nutritionist, Dr. Anju Sood, “Green tea is power-packed with antioxidants and polyphenols; however, it is still a type of tea that has caffeine in it. Therefore, one must not consume more than 3 cups in a day. Drinking it early in the morning can be a good time as our metabolism is the highest during that time. You may drink it in the evening too as it is the time when our metabolism tends to dip.”

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables like carrots, beetroot, sweet potatoes, and turnip can help you withstand cold weather. Toss up some carrot salads or make some hot and spice carrot soups to get your dose of beta-carotene and Vitamin C that can shield you against infections. Regular consumption of these veggies can help in curing constipation, improving immunity and lowering inflammation.

Raw Honey

According to the National Honey Board, consuming honey everyday will not only boost your immunity but will also keep your heart health in check. Since honey is fat-free, cholesterol-free and sodium-free, one can add it in their diet without worrying about anything. According to health experts, drinking warm water with honey along with lemon juice early in the morning may be an effective anti-cellulite treatment. David Wolfe, in his book – ‘Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future’, described raw honey as “nature’s richest source of live healing enzymes that increases reflexes, mental alertness and even IQ!”

Soup

Soups are the preferred choice of soothing foods in winter, provided you limit the amount of added fat, cream and an extra dash of salt. Soups are prepared with a blend of different vegetables, spices and herbs that can be comforting to your sore throat and relieve seasonal cough and cold.

Cauliflower And Broccoli

Cruciferous vegetables top list of veggies to keep your defense boosted up against sickness this winter. Cauliflower and broccoli are loaded with Vitamin C, E, K, folate and other essential minerals that boost your immune system and combat infections.

Ginger

A cup of hot ginger tea is all you need to stay warm this winter. Ginger possesses excellent thermogenic properties that keep you warm, boost metabolism and improve blood circulation.