Winter has arrived, and with temperatures continuing to drop we are all layering on our warmest attire and smothering ourselves in blankets to keep us warm during the cool season. But in order to truly tackle this bone-shaking winter season, it is important to keep yourself warm from the inside-out and avoid any nasty colds and cases of flu.

During Winter, your body naturally loses energy trying to keep yourself warm – so it is even more crucial to help regulate your internal body temperature by fuelling your body with nutrient-rich foods to stay warmer and enhance your overall health. To help you identify the best foods to eat during the cold season, we have created a list so you can add these savvy ingredients to your shopping list.


Whole Grains

Don’t be deceived by whole grains, due to their high fibre content whole grains act as fuel that helps heat our bodies up. Whole grains are a bit stubborn and require our bodies to work hard at breaking them down. During this process, our bodies use up a lot of energy to break down the fibres into essential proteins and minerals, and as a result our bodies naturally heat up. In order to get a fix of wholegrain, you can eat brown bread, oats, buckwheat, wholewheat pasta & bread, and brown rice etc.


Ginger

Ginger contains gingerol which is a substance that stimulates thermogenesis and is a diaphoretic which means it warms your body from the inside-out. Ginger is not necessarily food that you generally crave, however when it is added to dishes such as meats, soups or smoothies it can generate delicious results. If you enjoy your herbal teas, ginger teas are a good way to consume ginger to help you keep warm during the cooler season.

Dried Fruits and Nuts

Dried fruits and nuts are always a yummy snack whether it be eating them on their own or in a bowl with oats. It is always good to add some dried fruits and nuts to your diet as they are rich in vitamins and minerals which help keep your body balanced and naturally raise the heat in your body. Dried fruits and nuts like figs, raisins, apricots, almonds, cashews and walnuts contain up to 3.5 times the fibre, vitamins, micro-nutrients and minerals of fresh fruit. Further, the high levels of Vitamin C and protein in dried fruit and nuts help build your immunity, therefore helping you fend off unwanted colds, coughs, asthma and other winter-based ailments. But just remember– all things in moderation.

Spices

This goes without saying that spices are going to furnish the body with much-needed warmth and ward off any unwanted colds and flus through the health benefits they provide. Those of you who have a low threshold for spice, like myself, can add just a little touch of spice in your soup which is enough to give yourself a little boost of warmth during winter. Some of the best spices to consume during the winter seasons are Cayenne, Cinnamon, and Black Pepper.

  • Cayenne is rich in Vitamin C and is a useful ingredient in helping relieve coughs, chills and congestion
  • Cinnamon is useful for drying any dampness in the body and warms people who are usually cold and suffer from poor circulation.
  • Black pepper helps maintain a healthy flow through the body. They are also useful in separating blockages in the mid-section and sinuses of those who are suffering a cold or flu.

Honey

Honey is without a doubt the holy grail of household items. Its multipurpose nature finds honey being used to solve just about everything. Whether it be cuts and scrapes, a sore throat, for relaxation or skincare honey is proven to be effective. During the winter months, honey has become even more of a staple item that can be used to help warm up the body alongside being used to help cure an irritating sore throat and keep your immune system strong, so colds are at bay.


Caffeine

Caffeine not only helps you wake up in the morning, but it also helps you heat up. However, it is not only the warmth of the beverage that does the job but in fact, the caffeine helps stimulate your metabolism which encourages the body to burn fuel thus warming you up. The caffeine stimulates blood flow to the skin and helps raise your overall body temperature.

References

  • 7 Food And Drinks Scientifically Proven To Warm You Up (And One That Won’t). Tastemade. (2021). Retrieved 26 June 2021, from https://www.tastemade.com/articles/7-food-and-drinks-scientifically-proven-to-warm-you-up-and-one-that-won-t/.
  • 10 Healthy Indian Foods to Keep You Warm During Winters. Indus Health Plus. (2021). Retrieved 26 June 2021, from https://www.indushealthplus.com/indian-foods-to-keep-you-warm-in-winter.html.
  • Faruqui, S. (2021). 12 Essential Winter Foods to Keep You Warm – Don’t Miss Out! | Muslim Hands UK. Muslimhands.org.uk. Retrieved 26 June 2021, from https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2020/01/how-to-stay-warm-and-healthy-this-winter-with-these-essential-foods-and-drinks.
  • Foods that Keep You Warm in Winter – InnoHEALTH magazine. InnoHEALTH magazine. (2021). Retrieved 27 June 2021, from https://innohealthmagazine.com/2019/well-being/foods-keep-warm-winter/.
  • How Dry Fruits and Nuts Can Help You in Winter – Asian Health Blog. Aimsindia.com. (2021). Retrieved 25 June 2021, from https://www.aimsindia.com/blog/how-dry-fruits-and-nuts-can-help-you-in-winter/.
  • LEIGH SMITH, D. (2021). How to Increase Body Temperature Naturally With Food | Eat This Not That. Eat This Not That. Retrieved 25 June 2021, from https://www.eatthis.com/6-foods-that-keep-you-warm/.
  • Masala, C. (2021). 7 Spices That Keep You Warm in the Sizzling Cold of Winter Season – Blog – Chakki Masala. Blog – Chakki Masala. Retrieved 27 June 2021, from http://www.chakkimasala.com/blog/7-spices-that-keep-you-warm-in-the-sizzling-cold-of-winter-season/.

About the Author

Gabriella is a university student studying a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing and International Business. She is passionate about health and fitness and follows a ‘semi-vegetarian’ diet – a less restricted diet fuelled with all the essential nutrients from whole foods and the occasional inclusion of selected meats. She is keen to learn how to implement sustainable measures in her life and lead an Eco-friendlier lifestyle.

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