Winter is here, and the only way to combat the freezing temperatures is to eat healthy and delicious cuisine. It’s true that the four months from November to February are the coldest of the entire year. Even though you like the cool air, it’s crucial to stay safe during this cold spell. We all love to have steamy dinner of spaghetti and cheese or hot chocolate with whipped cream when the wind chills in the single digits. But there are other foods as well that are essential during winters to keep the body warm.
Your body slows down its metabolism to save heat and save energy when the temperature drops. As a result, more calories are required by your body to support its efforts to stay warm. Certain foods have the ability to increase metabolism and maintain an active lifestyle. The nutrients listed below will surely help keep your body warm, which will add more comfort to the body.
Foods That Will Help Stay Warm During Winters
1. Cereals
Oatmeal, porridge, and whole wheat products are great ways to start the day. Even though we frequently have cravings for pizza and spaghetti, it’s best to only sometimes indulge in these foods because they don’t provide much heat to the body and only last a short period because simple carbs disintegrate quickly. New and expectant mothers can enjoy vegetable-enriched oatmeal or porridge recipes. Youngsters can have hot milk with cornflakes, rolls with egg or veggie stuffing, or a whole wheat sandwich.
2. Carrots
A staple of winter cuisine, carrots are essential for bolstering immunity in the chilly months. Packed full of beta-carotene, they strengthen immunity and support healthy skin. Carrots are a great ingredient in a wide range of winter meals, not just snacks. They are a nutritional powerhouse and a delectable addition to the winter culinary repertoire because of their versatility, which ranges from the traditional warmth of Gajar ka Halwa to robust soups and colorful salads.
Read More – Health Benefits of Carrots
3. Soups
Soups are a great choice because they are high in veggies and provide internal body heat. Pulses, gourds, and barley soups are healthy choices that, when combined with carbohydrates, can serve as a substantial meal. Adding a pinch of cumin, cinnamon, and ginger to your dinner will make it the healthiest you’ve eaten all day. For soon-to-be mothers, these are incredibly healthful options. Soup is also a great option for nursing moms as a late-night or evening snack. After playing in the evening, kids can have soups as a snack that will fill them up and keep them warm.
4. Mustard greens
Brassica juncea, the plant that produces mustard, is the source of mustard leaves, commonly referred to as mustard greens. As is characteristic of mustard plants, these greens have sharp, dark green leaves and a strong flavor. Mustard leaves are a rich nutrient-containing food that is high in fiber, folate, and vitamins A, C, and K. It can also be eaten in other ways. It is commonly used to prepare Sarson Ka Saag. Mustard greens are rather versatile and can be used in stews and soups as well. In addition to giving food a very spicy flavor, mustard leaves provide other health advantages, such as antioxidant and maybe anti-inflammatory qualities.
5. Dry fruits and nuts
Nuts like cashews, walnuts, and almonds are excellent sources of healthy fats and can also help control body temperature. Since they are frequently utilized in countries with harsh winters, figs, dates, and olives are also excellent choices. Because they are a great source of iron, a hot herbal brew combined with a date will be exactly what you need. Throughout the day, expectant mothers can savor a clutch of dried fruits.
A laddoo made of dried fruits or a fistful of them can be enjoyed by nursing mothers or you can give a fistful of dried fruits to kids every day if they enjoy eating them. You can also add a blend of powdered dried fruits to their cereal or milk.
Read More – How Dates can be good for your health?
6. Fenugreek leaves
Fenugreek leaves, also known as methi, become a nutritious powerhouse throughout the winter. They improve digestion and provide a natural immune system boost because they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These bitter leaves complement the flavour of winter recipes and are a versatile element. They offer a unique flavor and nutrient boost to everything from warming Methi Dal to substantial Methi Parathas. Fenugreek leaves are a great addition to winter meals, since they improve not only the food experience but also your health in general.
7. Honey
Since honey has long been used as a cold and cough remedy, using it on its own or in salad dressings will also be beneficial in the winter. As long as the mother does not have a history of diabetes, honey is safe to include in her diet during pregnancy and lactation. Honey is only safe for children to consume when they become one year old.
8. Sesame seeds
Nutritious wintertime diets are enhanced by the inclusion of sesame seeds or til. They are warm and energizing and are high in protein, minerals, and good fats. You can add these little powerhouses to soups, salads, or even sweet treats like Sesame Laddoos. Sesame seeds not only improve the flavor and texture of winter cuisine, but their nutritional composition supports bone health and general vigor in the colder months.
9. Ghee
Your immunity is strengthened by ghee. It can be included in every dish you make, and during the winter you can mix or switch out vegetable oils with ghee. When preparing food for children and expectant or nursing moms, ghee can be utilized.
10. Spinach
This lush green vegetable, often known as “palak,” is a winter superfood that provides an essential source of nutrition in the chilly months. Rich in iron and vitamins A and C, it boosts immunity and enhances general health. Comforting winter recipes like as Saag, Palak Paneer, Saag wala Meat, and Spinach Soup can all benefit from the addition of spinach. This versatile vegetable not only makes winter foods taste better, but it’s also a nutrient-dense, colorful addition to your seasonal cooking arsenal.
Read More – Health Benefits of Spinach
11. Ginger+ Mulethi + Tulsi tea
Nothing is better than a handmade herbal tea to look after your health and your spirits. It is well known that ginger can promote thermogenesis and is beneficial for intestinal health. Moreover, it acts as a diaphoretic, warming your body from the inside out. Because mulethi contains glycyrrhizin, a molecule that gives the plant its sweet taste and also gives it anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities, mulethi is essential in the winter. The ultimate defense against all winter-related sedentary illnesses is tulsi. From lowering anxiety to treating the common cold and flu.
12. Bajra/ Ragi
Flavonoids, lignin, and phytonutrients are found in bajra, which gives it numerous antioxidant qualities. This improves skin renewal, fights infection, and slows down the aging process.
During this season, you can include a variety of the aforementioned items in sufficient amounts in your diet. Consume healthfully and at room temperature! These food items will surely keep your body temperature in control and healthy safe from acute and chronic diseases.
As winters come, many of us catch the problem of cough and sneezing and soon fever. You cannot stop germs and viruses from finding a way to attack you but surely can make yourself strong enough to fight back the germs and prevent health issues.
For more such health updates, subscribe to our newsletter.