The Winter Food Guide

I recently came across a quote by George R. R. Martin - “Nothing burns like the cold”. While I am extremely assured that he meant something deep, what it actually provoked were my thoughts about hot food on burning stoves that everyone loves as the winters approach. With the ever dropping temperature, maintaining a healthy diet becomes a challenge for almost everyone and it is therefore important to identify the means to indulge into foods that provide warmth and prevent weight gain.

When it comes to balanced eating during the winter, there are many things that can send your efforts into the ditch. While it is perfectly okay to munch on sinful foods like cookies or chocolates on certain occasions, an un-thoughtful indulgence into such foods can be problematic. The situation intensifies with reduced levels of serotonin, caused due to limited sun exposure. Low serotonin levels are directly linked with depression and unreasonable food cravings. The additional refined sugar and alcohol consumption combined with reduced activity and decreased metabolism also cause havoc on the immune system.

The Warming Foods:
There are certain foods that have a warming effect on the body. Including such foods in our everyday diet would help stay healthier and active during the cold winter months. These foods include winter vegetables from the roots and cruciferous vegetables. Other foods, more familiar as warming foods, include hot peppers like black pepper and chilli pepper, ginger, parsley, honey, fennel, dill, cinnamon, nutmeg etc. Frequent use of such ingredients is sensible to keep the body warm.

Immunity Boosters:
With upright immunity, it becomes easier to fight the flu and cold causing germs. It can also shorten the duration of infections. Include vitamin C rich foods like goose berry, guava, pepper, dark green leafy vegetables and lemon etc., frequently in your diet. Increasing the intake of fresh fruits and vegetables is essential to get favorable nutrients; most important among these are broccoli, cabbage, sweet potato, spinach and mustard greens. Oysters, fish, poultry, milk and the untreated cereals and grains are good sources of zinc, an immunity booster.

Probiotics are also important, as they maintain the healthy flora of the intestine which support gut health, and keep us safe from other infections.

As discussed earlier, temperamental eating during winters sometimes leads to consuming extra calories that cause weight gain.  It is therefore important to keep a track of what and how much you eat or drink.Hydration can be an issue during the cold weather as many people do not feel thirsty. Though dehydration is common during the summer, due to lack of sufficient water or fluid intake, one can become dehydrated during winters also. Fresh mint tea, ginger tea or hot cider are excellent choices, but remember to take normal water frequently. Fluids are most important when you are engaged in strenuous activity.