Eating healthy during winters can help you get ample of nutrients and antioxidants to bolster your immune system and help you fight through the cold weather.
Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com
Don't we all like treating ourselves with hot food during chilly winters to keep warm?
While the feeling is unbeatable, it's not always healthy to regularly opt for greasy fried food or creamy soups.
Eating healthy during this time can help you get ample of nutrients and antioxidants that will help bolster your immune system and help you fight through the cold weather.
While seasonal foods like carrots, pomegranates, beetroots, radishes, etc. provide you with plenty of nutrition, think twice before hogging on your bowl of cheesy macaroni.
Don't struggle too much though, because we have got you covered! Here is a list of healthy alternatives that can easily replace your usual unhealthy food items and keep you warm.
1. Oatmeal
High in fibre and protein, oats are good for your heart.
Experts say that a daily consumption of a bowl of oatmeal can help lower blood cholesterol level.
A bowl full steaming hot masala oats with vegetables can be a treat to your taste buds and your health.
And don't go by the same old 'oatmeal is for breakfast' cliche. A tasty bowl of oatmeal can be served at any time of the day.
2. Green tea
Your craving for a cup of tea or coffee is more likely to increase during this season.
Instead of regular tea or coffee with milk and sugar, how about a steaming hot cup of green tea that can do wonders for your health.
According to Dolly Kumar, founder and director food brand Gaia, rich in anti-oxidants, particularly epigallocatechin gallate or EGCG and fat burning properties, Green Tea is definitely the best drink for you this season.
3. Honey
A rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it is a great substitute to sugar.
It is also cholesterol-free and sodium-free.
A spoonful of honey in warm water is one of the perfect ingredients to solve many of your health problems.
Honey is especially helpful in case of high blood pressure.
4. Nuts
For those of you who like to munch on snacks while working, a handful of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, is a perfect option to go for.
Trail mix is a combination of almonds, cashew nuts, peanuts, melon seeds, watermelon seeds, black raisin, green raisin, dried papaya, and dried pineapple.
Laden with high protein and dietary fiber, this energy-packed mix helps you stay toasty and get going to the gusto.
So what are you waiting for? Snuggle up in the blanket with these food items and keep yourself warm. Happy winters to you!
