Foods to Avoid in Winter

Foods to Avoid in Winter

Not all foods are the greatest if warmth is what you’re after. There are some foods that should be avoided in order to stay toasty in the winter.

Certain foods that should be avoided include:
• White breads / maida based products
• Cucumbers
• Too much butter
• Cold drinks
• Alcohol
• Processed chips

Also remember not to overeat on a cold winter night, as it can extinguish digestive fires which help in fending off the chill.

These are just a few of the foods to avoid during those cold winter months. The next time you curl up in front of the TV with a warm blanket to fight off the winter chill, try snacking on a few of the foods listed in the earlier posts to help keep you warm. You might be surprised at how well it works.

Warming protein foods

Warming protein foods

In winters, the body requires foods that raise the blood pH, such as protein like lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts.These high protein foods are associated with increased heat production and higher thermogenesis.

For non-meat eaters,eat plenty of soy products like tofu, soybeans, soy nuts, and tempeh or ‘legume’ which covers a wonderful array of foods – all dried beans (chickpeas, kidney beans, pinto beans etc) and lentils.. Stir fry meals with tofu and vegetables, or munch on some soy nuts as a snack.

Having milk boiled with ginger and fresh turmeric is also warming.

Nuts and oilseeds to keep you warm in winter

Nuts and oilseeds to keep you warm in winter

Nuts and oilseeds: Almonds, walnuts, cashewnuts, raisins, apricots, peanuts, black and white sesame seeds and flax seeds are nutrition-packed for cold days. They are rich in heart-healthy fats, fiber, magnesium and vitamin E.

Snack on unsalted nuts and dry fruits, they are nutritionally dense and take longer to digest, keeping your appetite in check. Have them in appropriate quantities (6-8 pieces) and balance the intake with a healthy dose of exercise.

•Especially Til (sesame seeds): Both black and white til have been known to provide heat to the body after digestion. That is exactly why til gajjak, rewari and til laddus are standard winter groceries.
•Similarly pumpkin seeds: Have them with sauteed channa or murmura with a dash of oil. Also, tarbooz seeds go well with tea.

Watch out next for vegetables and fruits.

Fruits and vegetables to keep you warm in winters

  Fruits and vegetables to keep you warm in winters

Seasonal fruits and vegetables like dark green vegetables, mustard greens and amaranth greens (bathua), carrots, turnips, cabbage, tomatoes, oranges, guava, lime, pumpkin and amla, are gre

at sources of iron, folate and vitamins A, B complex and C, which boost immunity and combat viruses and bacteria that cause infection. Fruits like peaches, apricots and papaya can keep you warm.

Hot soups and stews are definitely the season’s favourite. A bowl of healthy and wholesome soup is not only nutritionally sound, but will also make you feel full and prevent you from eating junk food. Avoid ready soup mixes as they contain high amount of starch and preservatives. Homemade soups and stews are the way to go.

Fruit chat of like oranges, plums, peaches is most welcome. Also, you can make a salad of carrots, oranges, beetroot or just make a vegetable punch!

Watch out next for protein foods to keep you warm in winters.

Herbs, spices and condiments to keep you warm in winter

Herbs, spices and condiments to keep you warm in winter

Herbs, spices and condiments: incorporate ginger, garlic, cinnamon, pepper, clove, methi seeds, saffron, turmeric and cloves into one’s daily diet. Besides generating heat, spices like cinnamon, ginger, tur

meric, garlic, cloves and pepper also contain phytochemicals that act as decongestants, are anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. Ginger and garlic especially are great decongestants and improve blood circulation.

In specific how can you use this spices n condiments in day to day cooking:-

• Garlic & Ginger: You can have it in chutney or add it to soups or cooked vegetables. Ginger tea also tastes great.
• Cinnamon: Pulaos and biryanis taste awesome when you add cinnamon sticks to them.
• Saffron: Add it to your milk or pulaos. The rich taste will get you hooked!
• Cumin seeds: Add to flavour green veggies or simply garnish rotis with it.
• Pepper: It is excellent for asthmatics; add to soup, salads or you can simply sprinkle some on your breakfast omelette, sandwiches.
• Clove: A great mouth freshener and it is also known for its antiseptic abilitie, add it to ur daily dal, steamed rice.
• Fenugreek: Have one teaspoon of pre-soaked methi seeds early morning, or add a few to your dals, soups.

Watch out next for nuts and oilseeds

Whole grains and pulses to keep you warm in winter

Whole grains and pulses to keep you warm in winter

Keep yourself warm and drive away infections this winter with these heat-generating foods.

Certain foods have a more warming effect than others, known as “diet induced thermognesis”, this effect is due to

energy released during digestion and assimilation.

Lets begin with Whole grains and pulses

Traditional grains like jowar, bajra, barley, oats and corn have great warming properties. Whole pulses like moong, chana, beans, and lentils matki and soyabean are also quite useful for driving away the chills. Have them in the form of gruels, in rotis, or boiled. Millets can be used to make hot porridge. Whole pulses and legumes like can be used in soups and stews.

Watch out next for warming herbs, spices and condiments……