Finding a balance, healthy eating in winter. | 3 min read

Finding a balance in winter is essential; stay on top of your diet and keep yourself well-nourished. However, sticking to a healthy diet won’t prevent you from picking up winter illnesses, but it can help maintain your immune system to protect you better. And should you fall ill, a nutritious diet can help speed up your recovery.

Healthy eating choices are helpful to a stress-free lifestyle. The secret to staying healthy during winter is winterizing your diet. Here are some foods that you should try out this winter.

What are the six must-eat healthy foods during winter?

• Soup. Soup is one of the best foods to help you live through winter comfortably and a clever way of upping your vegetable intake. Add lean protein (such as beans, lentils, chickpeas, or shredded chicken), corn kernels, or a wholegrain slice of bread on the side for a nourishing, balanced lunch or dinner.
• Drink hot milky drinks. Milk and other by-products, such as yoghurt, cheese, etc., are a great meal choice for winter. Hot milky drinks pack a lot of vitamins B12 and A, proteins, and calcium, which boost a person’s health. Also, drink hot water flavoured with lemon or unsweetened herbal teas to stay warm and hydrated in winter.
• Have oats (cooked in milk) for breakfast. It’s a warm and filling way to start the day and sustain your energy levels throughout the morning. Oats are versatile and can be enjoyed by adding nuts or nut butter, seeds, and fruit.
• Cauliflower and broccoli. These vegetables can add to the defence 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.
• Consume Root Vegetables. Finding fresh vegetables during winter can be a daunting task. However, root vegetables such as carrots and turnips can be readily available. These vegetables can withstand cold weather. Consuming these vegetables as either boiled, raw, or roasted can endow you with benefits such as vitamins A and C and a boost of beta-carotene.
• Increase Your Intake of 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. Even better, you can consume them at any time of the day.

These meals will make your winter look shorter since they will boost your immune system and give you the energy to live through the season. Winter doesn’t have to look dull anymore.

What are the benefits of healthy eating in winter?

• It may help you prevent colds and flu.
• Keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy.
• Supports muscles.
• Boosts immunity.
• Strengthens bones.
• It enables the digestive system to function.
• It assists in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

In winter, our body craves rich food that provides warmth and nourishment, making it hard to find a balance. However, any vegetable that takes time to grow and its edible part grows beneath the ground’s surface is usually warming and an excellent vegetable to eat in winter. Certain dry fruits (dates), nuts, and oilseeds (sesame seeds) are warming. All animal foods, including lean dairy, meat, fish, and poultry, fall into the warming category. Wholegrain cereals, proteins, and healthy fats provide much-needed energy to keep warm.

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