It is almost that time of the year where just want to lay down in bed while wearing layers and layers of warm clothes. Add to it the kind of fat-rich food we eat in winter, and we may have ourselves a little health issue.
That’s right. Winters are usually the time where we tend to put on a lot of weight due to an unbalanced diet and a lack of physical activity. This may eventually affect our overall health and immunity.
Although there are a lot of potential winter health hazards, building immunity has become more important than ever due to the current Covid-19 pandemic as well.
So, even though we may not feel like getting out of bed, we need to at least pay attention to things we eat in winter in order to stay fit, active and healthy.
With that being said, let us look at some essential food items that you can include in your diet to stay healthy this winter.
Almonds
Apart from being a home remedy for “better memory”, almonds also help your body stay warm during winters. They are known to help maintain a healthy heart and have a crunchy taste as well.
Almonds are a delicious snack that can keep your tummy full. So, the next time you look for some crunchy food to eat in winter, you can choose almonds to satisfy your unwanted food cravings.
Fresh fruits
When you think of things to eat in winter, fruits may probably not be your first choice. But, you need to understand that your body needs a good source of essential minerals and vitamins.
Fresh fruits are the best choice for food to eat in winter as they help improve the body’s immune system. This allows your body to fight against viral diseases and protect you from any kind of illness. So, buying fresh fruits is one of the easy ways to prepare for this winter season.
Green Tea
Drinking a hot cup of tea may be the ideal way to stay warm during winter. However, you can experience other major benefits as well by opting for green tea.
It is known to improve the body’s immunity levels and may help fight against the viral cold and cough. Also, green tea offers various anti-oxidant properties as well, which makes it an ideal addition to your healthy winter diet.
Oatmeal
Just like fresh fruits and other leafy vegetables, oatmeal offers various vitamins that are essential for our body. People usually include oatmeal in their breakfast as it is a healthy and nutritious food to eat in winter.
It contains high amount of zinc and fibre that helps improve immunity and heart health too. So, oatmeal can easily be included in our healthy winter diet. While people sometimes think of it as an expensive product, you can still find healthy oatmeal at affordable prices.
Leafy vegetables
We have been regularly told about the numerous benefits offered by leafy green vegetables. This is true, especially when it comes to consuming green vegetables during winter season.
These vegetables are packed with essential nutrients and vitamins that improve bone health and may cure various skin problems as well. Therefore, leafy green vegetables like spinach can be the best healthy food to eat in winter.
Yoghurt
Mixing yoghurt with your daily meals can make for a nice, healthy winter diet. It contains good gut bacteria which are known to be helpful for the body’s regular digestive functions.
This type of bacteria may build immunity as it helps fight against various diseases and infections. So, when we mix up yoghurt with other types of food we eat in winter, our body can experience a whole lot of healthy benefits.
Dates
Just like almonds, dates are also helpful dry-fruits that offer a wide range of benefits during winter. They are low on fats and contain high amount of nutrients, which make them the ideal option for people who are looking to stay fit and healthy.
While there are different Ayurvedic products that improve digestion during winter, dates are also suggested by Ayurveda as a way of avoiding laziness during this season.
Ghee
No Indian food is complete with some good old homemade ghee. Although it is believed to add a lot of calories, ghee actually keeps your body warm during the winter season.
Also, consuming the right amount of desi ghee may even help cut down the number of bad fats. Therefore, it is an essential part of your daily diet and can be the ideal addition to your list of food to eat in winter.
Eggs, fish and chicken
Apart from being rich in protein and nutrients, these food items are also known to contain good number of vitamins. Fish, eggs and chicken help maintain the immune system and can be the ideal healthy food to eat in winter.
Also, they contain high amount of iron, calcium and can help keep your body warm during winter. Fish and eggs are also known to reduce stress and fatigue levels. This can be very helpful when it comes to taking care of your mental health during Covid-19.
Water
Yes. Drinking adequate amount of water is very important during the winters. As we sweat less and feel less thirsty, our body can experience dehydration during winter as well. In order to avoid this issue, we need to consume at least 2-3 litres of water daily.
You can opt for herbal tea or green tea as well, since they also contain good water content. The benefits of drinking water are not just limited to staying hydrated. It can also help you stay healthy and avoid unnecessary infections.
These were some of the most important food items that can help us maintain a healthy winter diet. While you consume these food items to stay fit and healthy, here are some types of food that should be avoided during winter.
- Tomatoes
- White bread
- Coffee
- Baked products
- Fast food
Although these food items are not entirely bad for your body, they can lead to unnecessary weight gain, especially during winters. Also, as you look for a healthy winter diet, you need to also look for products that will help you fight the cold weather this winter.
Do you know some other types of healthy food to eat in winter? Feel free to share them with our readers in the comment section below.
