Winter: The Season Of Warmth And Healthy Food

Every season has its own unique specialty, however, winter is the most loved one amongst all. The refreshing chilly winds and the various flora that blooms make it a beautiful season. The mountain and hilly regions experience snowfall and display an elegant view while welcoming this holiday season. But winters can get too cold sometimes and so here’s a list of some healthy winter foods and recipes that can help you stay warm and cure the winter blues. 

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home”, this quote by Edith Sitwell beautifully describes the real essence of winters.

Winter Comfort Foods To Keep You Warm This Season

HONEY

A natural sweetener that is rich in antioxidants and also has some antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is warm in nature and helps in keeping the body warm when taken regularly. It also helps in keeping cold, flu, and cough at bay as it aids in strengthening the immune system. It is, therefore, one of the best foods for cold weather. Consuming warm water with honey and lime first thing in the morning during winters acts like a natural cure for sore throat and helps build resistance against seasonal ailments.

GINGER

A popular Indian spice, which is also widely used for its medicinal properties. It is a great food for winters as it is known for its ability to warm the body temperature by increasing blood circulation and boosting metabolism. You can boil the ginger root in hot water and drink it with lemon and honey. Even better, add it to your morning chai.  Who can say no to a hot cup of ginger tea on a winter morning!

DESI GHEE

Ayurveda suggests that desi ghee is a natural way to cure the pitta (heat element) of your body. It keeps the body warm and also helps in increasing immunity. It is one of the most easily digestible fats and is rich in vitamin A, D, E and K. Ghee also aids digestion, enhances eyesight, and helps in the excretion of toxins. Apart from offering numerous health benefits it also enhances the flavor of the food. Use desi ghee in all your winter dishes, drizzle some over your dal, sabzi, or halwa and make it taste even better. 

JAGGERY

Jaggery has a magical property to keep your body warm from within. That is one of the reasons why we see jaggery taking over the market during the winters. It is a healthy alternative to sugar and has many nutritious benefits. It helps improve digestion, immune function, prevents anemia and helps in cleansing the body. Jaggery can be used as a substitute for sugar in your teas, coffees, desserts, and almost in all your sweet winter comfort food recipes.

DRY FRUITS AND NUTS

Dry fruits and nuts like almonds, cashews, are very beneficial during the winters. They speed up the metabolism, increase the body temperature and help stay warm during the winters. Nuts are a great source of iron and protein. They are a great source of copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin A, C, E, K, B6, and zinc. They are a great mid-meal snack and can also be added to many of your healthy winter recipes.

CINNAMON

Cinnamon is an antioxidant-rich spice that plays an important role in keeping the body healthy, fighting free radicals, and removing unwanted toxins from the body. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce swelling which is beneficial to avoid long-term health issues like diabetes and heart diseases. This winter superfood increases the body’s metabolism and generates heat thereby keeping the body warm and making it a great food for cold weather. It also helps in curing cough and cold which is a common ailment during the winters so try and add it to your winter recipes wherever possible.

SAFFRON

This incredible spice is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Ayurveda has prized saffron because of its warming capacity hence it is used in many home remedies for treating cough and cold. It is high in antioxidants and helps protect cells against free radicals and oxidative stress. It is sometimes called the ‘sunshine spice’ not just due to its distinct color but because it may help brighten your mood.