A healthy diet means a well balanced diet, which consists of all the nutrients essential for your body. A major part of this diet must contain seasonal fruits and vegetables. When temperature is low, the diet you have must be able to keep your body warm and well nourished. During the winter times, the temperature goes down and this will lower your body temperature. So, your body tries to keep it warm and this needs lots of energy. This is one of the reasons why you feel hungrier during winter.
So, in winter the food you choose must be such that it provide you enough nourishment and satisfy your appetite, but do not add any extra calories. Gond laddus, carrot halwa, oondhiyos etc are some of the traditional food items that are healthy for consuming in winters. However, you have to spend a lot of time preparing these dishes. So, if you have a busy schedule, you may not get enough time to prepare them. There are many other foods which can be readily consumed or those which do not require too much time to prepare. Here we will have a look at some of the healthiest winter foods that are fresh and nutritious.
Winter Season Healthy Foods:
Broccoli:
Broccoli is another excellent vegetable that you may have in winter. It belongs to the same family as cauliflower and helps in keeping your body warm in winters. By consuming broccoli you will get many essential nutrients without any side effects. You can add it to salads in the raw form and consume it, or you may cook it and make various dishes with it. In either ways it is good for your health and provides you a beautiful skin and hair.
Bajra and Jowar:
Bajra(pearl millet) and jowar (sorghum) are calcium fortified millets and ideal for consuming in winter seasons. They are great for building up your muscles and also help in providing you stronger bones. They can be consumed as a meal and are best for winters. These crops are usually harvested in winter times and therefore they are called winter crops.
Eggs:
Eggs are also good for keeping you warm in winters. All non-vegetarians love eggs and they help you to get rid of depression and become lively. Eggs are readily available in the market and they are excellent for body building.
Oily fish:
If you love fish, have oily fish in winters. They are rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids, which is essential for keeping your bones strong and healthy. During the winter times the levels of Vitamin D3 may go down in many people. You can compensate for it by consuming some seasonal fish. These fish help in balancing the levels of serotonin in the body.
Peanuts:
Peanuts are readily available in the market and you can consume it after roasting them, or add them to other dishes and consume. They are not expensive and help in filling your stomach without adding much calorie. They are highly nutritious and rich in antioxidants. Peanuts are also good for your heart because they are rich sources of monounsaturated fats. Having peanuts regularly is said to provide you healthy and beautiful skin. This is because peanuts are rich in Vitamin E. You can have it as a snack after roasting them, children will love its taste. Those who are allergic to peanuts must avoid consuming them.
Pomegranate seeds:
Pomegranate seeds are loaded with the antioxidants called Polyphenols. Phosphorous and calcium are present in high quantities in this seed. So, having them is an excellent way to give a boost to your immune system. This way you will be protected from common cold, cough and flu, which are very common in winter times. You can have them in the raw form or make juice and have it.
Sweet potatoes:
Sweet potato is very nutritious and excellent for your health. It helps in increasing your body temperature and hence ideal for consuming in winters. It is loaded with dietary fiber and carbohydrates, which provides enough energy for your body. You can cook sweet potato in various ways and make delicious dishes. You can also consume it by simply boiling it, which helps in retaining all its nutrients. It the root of this plant that you consume and it has a sweet taste.
Spinach:
According the opinion of dietitians, spinach is one of the best greens that you can consume in winter times as this green leafy vegetable is full of antioxidants. Iron is also found in high amounts in spinach. This helps in increasing the number of red blood cells in the body. As a result, this vegetable helps in keeping your body warm in winter. You can make soups with this vegetable or add it to salads and consume. In either way they are very healthy for your body.
Sesame seeds:
You get sesame seeds readily in winter and they have proved to be very effective for keeping your body warm. You can sprinkle these sees liberally on any food you eat. These seeds are good for keeping your bones strong and healthy. So, consuming them is an easy way to protect yourself from osteoarthritis. If you consume sesame seeds after having your meals, they will make the digestive process smooth and fast. Sesame seeds are rich sources of some of the essential minerals like manganese, copper and iron.
Strawberries:
Strawberries grow in winters and are therefore a seasonal food that you can have in winters. It is very delicious and has lots of health benefits. Children love the taste of these fruits. It is a rich source of antioxidants. Having this fruit helps in waking you up from dull mood, which is very common in colder days. So, have strawberries and remain fresh and cheerful.
So, include these foods in your regular diet in winter times and you will stay warm, energetic and healthy.
