Home / Health Tips / Winter Season Foods: 15 Foods That Will Keep You Warm
Have you noticed a nip in the air, a slight chill in the mornings and the evenings? If yes, you’ll have realised by now that winter is just around the corner. With the days becoming shorter and the nights become longer, temperatures are also beginning to fall. And to fight against this falling temperature, it is important that you take care of your body in all possible ways. So, to prepare you for the winter season, we have curated a list of the best winter season foods that are bound to keep you all warm and cosy during this chilly season.
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Grains such as bajra and amaranth will keep you nice and warm during the winters and are thus healthy winter foods. Try your hand at making a warm amaranth cereal, sprinkled with some winter berries and drizzled with a generous dose of honey. Be it breakfast or lunch, this dish can be had at any time during the day! Along with amaranth, millets such as ragi and bajra will give you the much-needed energy during those cold and wintry days. Both these foods are high energy foods that consist primarily of starch. Since millets contain starch, it takes the body longer to digest these foods, as a result of which energy is generated by the body for a longer period of time.
Also read: Stylish winter wear for women
Cinnamon is literally a boon during winters and is one of those foods that produce heat in the body. The woody scent and the rustic taste of this naturally warm spice are enough to make us feel all cosy and warm inside. Not only does cinnamon improve metabolism, but it also generates heat within the body. Add it to milk, hot chocolate, coffee or tea and you will have the perfect drink to cuddle up with during the winters.
Another one on the winter food list is ginger. Ginger has thermogenic properties that help to keep you warm. This spice can boost your metabolism and even improve the blood flow inside your body. Ginger strengthens the body, improves digestion and helps to cure cough and cold. So, make sure to add ginger to your diet or make delicious recipes with it.
Honey is one of the few food items that does not have an expiry date and is also a great winter season food in India. Honey has medicinal properties that can treat cold and flu-two common illnesses that plague people during the winters. Like ginger and cinnamon, honey is naturally warm and can keep you warm and comfortable throughout this season.
Also read: 8 Indian hot drinks for winter to keep you cozy
Mustard oil, mustard seeds or fresh mustard leaves – all the components of mustard that can keep you warm during this season. Give yourself a relaxing body and/or head massage using mustard oil or use mustard leaves to make the traditional ‘Sarson ka Saag’ – you can do so much with this food item during the winter months! So, make mustard a part of your winter food items.
Saffron is considered to be the most expensive spice in the world, and rightly so since it was primarily used by royal families. Even today, a small box of saffron is very expensive to buy. Apart from giving you glowing skin, saffron helps to maintain your health during the chilly days of the winter season. You can add a pinch of saffron into your milk and have it every day during the cold weather.
Sesame seeds have a host of benefits for the body, skin and hair. These tiny seeds can treat chronic problems such as pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma. These seeds are also used liberally in traditional winter sweets such as halwas and chikkis. Packed with calcium and iron, you can soak these seeds in water overnight and drink the water in the morning. You can also combine sesame seeds and jaggery to make tiny energy balls that you can have on a daily basis. These little balls are bound to keep you warm and energetic throughout the winter season! Apart from this, sesame seed oil can also be used for cooking.
Ghee is considered a superfood in India. It is one of those winter season foods that nourish your body in the best possible way. Moreover, ghee is also used to flavour your dishes. So, prefer using ghee instead of cooking oil for preparing delicious vegetables.
Must read: How much ghee is safe to consume per day?
There are different types of dry fruits that are helpful in generating heat within your body. Apricots, dry figs, almonds and a few more dry fruits are best in keeping your body nourished during winters. So, make sure that you are eating dry fruits during the winter season.
Whole grains are undoubtedly the best for your body. There are different types of whole grains like oats, dalia and more that are great for the body. These foods contain a good amount of fibres and are thus highly beneficial for your body.
When winters are here, then eating jaggery becomes a must. Jaggery is one of the best winter season foods whose importance is even emphasized by a lot of nutritionists. This natural sweetener not only helps to generate heat within the body but also nourishes the body. You can make delicious gud chikki and masala gud with the goodness of jaggery.
Also read: Beat winter blues with Pankaj Bhadouria’s masala gud recipe
During winters, all of us tend to gorge on hot beverages that are effective in soothing our throats. Isn’t it? One such winter season foods that you must have is ginger tea. Ginger tea is made with the goodness of ginger and Indian spices and is thus highly recommended for all during this season. So, instead of regular tea, you can opt for drinking ginger tea instead.
There’s nothing better than eating leafy green vegetables during the winter months. Leafy green vegetables like spinach, broccoli and more are highly nutritious and treat your body with a number of health benefits. Moreover, you can also make delicious dishes with leafy green vegetables.
Soup is one of those comfort dishes that can help you fight against the falling temperatures of the winter season. It provides warmth to your body and even helps in keeping your body nourished. From chicken soup to vegetable soup, there are an endless variety of soups that you can make this winter season.
Time and again, our grandmothers have emphasized the importance of drinking turmeric milk. Isn’t it? Turmeric milk is highly beneficial during the winter months as it helps in boosting the immune system and fighting against most of the incoming infections. It is thus advisable that you drink turmeric milk every night before going to bed.
Must read: 8 Benefits of turmeric milk no one told you about
In addition to packing yourself in sweaters, coats and scarves during the winter season, incorporate these foods into your daily diet to keep yourself naturally warm during those cold and chilly days.
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