In the winter, having a strong immune system helps us stay healthy and maintains the condition of our skin, hair, and joints. People with arthritis hate the winter because when the temperature drops, their joint discomfort gets worse. Similar to how skin dryness, eczema, and psoriasis flare-ups worsen in the winter. As winter draws near, we start to prefer warmer foods like soups, stews, hot beverages, etc. rather than cold ones like juices, shakes, and cold beverages. As the weather changes, so does nature's ability to create food and get it to our plates. Abide by these important dietary practises for the winter to avoid health problems.
Eat Local: Consume what is healthy for your body and readily available during the winter. Green leafy vegetables such as methi, saag, garlic, and ginger, as well as various flours like as makka, ragi, and jowar, promote warmth in the body. Strong anti-infective antioxidants and Vitamin C are abundant in foods including oranges, amla, guava, kiwi, broccoli, lemon, papaya, strawberries, and others. Biological protein is abundant in eggs. In addition to providing warmth, they are also nutrient-rich and contain vitamins D, B6, and B12 as well as selenium, zinc, iron, and copper. Fishes, on the other hand, are excellent providers of protein, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids, so include them in your diet.
Healthy Breakfast: Winters cause us to wake up later than usual, so we either skip breakfast or eat it later if we are housewives or working from home. We all understand that breakfast is a healthy meal of the day that will jump-start our metabolism and make us feel warm and energised. While restoring your supply of glucose to boost our energy and alertness, it also provides other essential nutrients required for overall health. Start your day off with some indoor exercise, put on some upbeat music, and get moving. Whatever you select, exercise will make you happier. Static jogging, stationary cycling at home, yoga, or stretch exercises are all effective options. Just get your heart beating and fill your lungs with air.
Stay Hydrated: We often drink less water in the winter because we don't feel thirsty, even though we all know how important it is to stay hydrated. Drinking warm liquids during the winter, such as warm water, hot herbal teas, or warming broths, can help you stay hydrated. Keep a water bottle on you at all times to encourage daily hydration. If you're working from home, have a designated water container there and replenish it as necessary. eat your supper. Homemade soups can help you meet your fluid requirements during the winter in addition to include water-rich fruits and vegetables including green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, melon, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Limit your consumption of coffee, sugary drinks, and aerated drinks. Create a plan for staying hydrated with the objective of drinking a certain amount of water every day.
Portion Control: Pay attention to foods that are warming, healthful, and offer other advantages. Controlling the portion size of our snacks is something we also need to keep in mind. As we tend to put on weight during the winter, a handful of nuts, a handful of peanuts, a three-bean salad (potein-packed), fruits with seeds, a quinoa snack, tofu, etc. will not only help with weight concerns but will also contribute iron, zinc, and proteins to your diet.
Limit Sugar Intake: Winter recipes typically require a lot of ghee, halwa, butter, and gur ki patti/chikkis, which are seasonal ingredients. The majority of these snacks are consumed after dinner, making dinner the heaviest meal of the day and potentially contributing to excess weight gain. The secret to enjoying recipes with ghee/butter and chikkis/pattis is to eat them in moderation and between meals.