Foods to Keep You Warm This Winter

As the winter chill sets in and nights draw shorter, it may be time to switch up your diet. Adding body-warming foods into your rotation is a natural way to ensure you're keeping warm throughout the cold months and can help keep seasonal illnesses like colds and the flu away! Here, we've rounded up all our favourite winter foods and creative ways to incorporate them into balanced meals that'll leave you feeling satiated, yet cosy from head-to-toe.

Winter is here and temperatures are dropping quickly! Staying warm during the cold months can be challenging, but with some simple additions to your meals, you can easily regulate your body temperature. Dining on warming foods like soups, stews, and other comforting dishes not only makes us feel cosy inside, but they also can provide essential vitamins and minerals that our bodies need. However, warm foods don't only mean piping hot meals. There are a plethora of winter-season foods that are nutritious and could keep you warm during those cold months. In this article, we will explore different types of food that keeps the body warm that you may want to try out this season to satisfy your cravings.

Foods To Keep You Warm

To keep your body warmer in winter, include foods high in carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. Combining these nutrients and properties will contribute to keeping your body warm and ensure overall health during the colder months. Let's look at the list of foods to keep the body warm:

Whole grains, legumes and cereals for complex carbohydrates and sustained energy:

• Complex carbohydrates help maintain a steady internal heat source. Foods like rava, whole-wheat flour, moong-dal, amaranth, and bajra, have abundant nutrients like fiber, carbs, protein, and calories. These nutrients play a pivotal role in keeping you warm and giving you sufficient energy.

Recipes: Jowar Bajra Roti, Millet Mango Sheera

Animal-based options in the form of warm, hearty soups and stews:

• Animal foods like eggs, chicken, and fish come under the umbrella of healthy winter foods as they induce a thermogenic effect, which is the production of heat by the body. It promotes weight loss because these foods take longer to digest and produce heat in your body. These foods contain major nutrients like protein and fats that help with this process.
• Consume animal-based winter foods in the form of stews and soups to keep you snug on even the coldest days.

Recipes: Chicken Soup, Vegetable Pomfret Stew

Citrus Fruits To Boost Immunity During Winters:

• While winter brings a scarcity of sunlight, citrus fruits shine as natural sources of vitamin C, essential for boosting immunity and warmth. As per research, vitamin C helps you handle the cold better by widening your blood vessels in the skin, letting more blood flow and warming your skin.
• Oranges, lemons, and amala are the ideal winter foods as they contain plenty of vitamin C. This can help you tackle colds better, reducing symptoms and shortening their duration.

Recipes: Orange Juice,  Peanut Amla Chutney

Nutrient-Dense Nuts and Seeds

• Snacking on a variety of nuts and seeds is an easy way to combat the winter season. Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and sunflower seeds are rich in healthy fats, proteins, and vitamins, contributing to sustained energy and warmth.
• Pain and inflammation are common problems that occur during the winter season. Sesamol, a bioactive compound found in sesame seeds, plays a role in preventing the production of chemicals that cause inflammation.
• You can eat these crunchy delights alone or sprinkle them over salads and yoghurts to help keep you energised.

Recipes:  Chocolate Peanut Chikki, Til Chikki

Spices and Their Therapeutic Heat:

• Cinnamon, ginger, and garlic are the main spices that keep the body warm. Ginger is one of the best winter-season foods as it is recognized for promoting digestive well-being and helps the body produce heat. Garlic has similar effects in the body and is known to treat cold, flu-like symptoms.
• Thus, these ingredients not only add flavour but also stimulate circulation, promoting a natural boost in body temperature. Add these spices to teas, desserts, or savory dishes to enjoy their therapeutic heat.

Recipes:  Carrot Ginger Lemongrass Clear Soup, Garlic Laccha Paratha

Conclusion

As the winter season continues, it's important to remember that comfort and health go hand in hand. Don't forget to increase your water intake as your body needs to stay hydrated, and wearing layers will help keep your body temperature regulated. Be sure to check for winter-season foods that match your dietary restrictions if needed. Make mindful food choices this season, and get cozy and warm around a home-cooked meal with friends or family.