A healthy winter diet is essential to stay well in the cold season. It’s important to eat a variety of foods to boost your health in winter and ensure you are getting all the essential nutrients your body needs.
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There are many foods, specifically available and enjoyed during this season, that can help battle the cold months. They help you keep warm and provide nutrients that are most necessary for the body during this season. Along with consuming these winter-specific super-foods, we should derive important nutrients from a wide range of food items.
- Soup
This is one of the best food that will help you live through winter comfortably. However, you should avoid much salt, beef soup, and cream to get the most out of this meal. You should get recipes that include water as the base and a lot of vegetables. A hot bowl of soup with chicken broth and some vegetables will leave you rejuvenated. You can pair your soup with whole-grain crackers.
- Warm Milk
Milk and other by-products such as yogurt, cheese, etc. are a great meal choice for winter. This is because they pack a lot of vitamins B12 and A, proteins, and calcium, which boost a person’s health. Most people tend to catch a cold during winter. Drinking warm milk frequently will help you avoid falling ill. However, choose to drink skimmed or semi-skilled milk rather than full-fat milk. Moreover, you can take low-fat plain yogurts to decrease the calorie intake.
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- Porridge
The secret to remaining energized until lunchtime is taking a healthy slow-release breakfast such as porridge. You can be creative with this morning meal by adding toppings such as seeds and nuts. Moreover, some winter fruits such as dates and apples can increase the health benefits of this meal.
- Seeds and Nuts
Walnuts, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, and hemp hearts are all high in omega-3s – essential fats that boost heart health and protect the body against inflammation, which is linked to many chronic diseases. They’re also a good source of magnesium, which is essential for a healthy immune system. Nuts and seeds provide Fiber, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin E, Calcium, and Magnesium all great for your heart health.
- Cauliflower and Broccoli
Apart from drinking milk, eating a lot of vegetables, and engaging in fitness activities, these vegetables can add to the defense against winter sickness. Both broccoli and cauliflower pack a lot of vitamin C, which enhances immune functions. The chilly weather might pose a challenge in getting fresh vegetables. However, frozen cauliflower and broccoli pack the same nutritious benefits as fresh ones.
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- Root Vegetables
Finding fresh vegetables during winter can be a daunting task. However, root vegetables such as carrots, turnips, and carrots can be readily available. This is because they can withstand the cold weather. Consuming these vegetables as either boiled, raw, roasted can endow you benefits such as vitamins A and C, and a boost of beta-carotene.
- Cheese, Eggs, and Fish
Even though the previously discussed meals might not be your cup of tea, you most likely like eggs, cheese, or fish. These meals pack vitamin B12, which boosts the normal functioning of the immune system. Moreover, these meals reduce fatigue and tiredness. What’s even better is that you can consume them at any time of the day.
