Winter is on the wane now and as usual, it is going to be very cold. It is a season full of mist and mellows. It is the best season to enjoy abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. This is the time of the year when market places are overflowing with many fresh appealing foods and because of the lower temperature, appetites are high.
The shorter days and cooler temps enhances desire for comfort foods and TV-watching. If you want to stick to comfort foods this winter, you may. But how about eating foods that actually keep you warm this winter?
Food is the foundation of the body and it has the most amazing effects on our system. The concept of foods which have an intrinsic capacity to warm the body is an ancient one and is found in Ayurveda, Unani and Chinese medicine therapy. Now even modern science has started studying and researching a very important aspect of nutrition called "The Post-Digestive Effect of Foods". Simply put, it means that foodstuffs have certain qualities outside the body and once they are eaten and digested, they affect individuals in a certain pattern which is determined by the person's constitution and genetics.
Certain people have a warm constitution others have a cold one. In winters when the outside temperatures are dropping, individuals with cold constitution need specific foods which have an intrinsic ability to warm the body by stimulating certain neuro-transmitters in the body. Conversely, consumption of such foods in excess by individuals who already have warm constitution can lead to mouth blisters and loose motions (according to ayurveda, vata people have cold constitution and pitta people have warm constitution).
As I mentioned previously, it is very important to keep yourself warm in winter and it is really easy to do so. Just add these foods to your daily diet and you'll be able to enjoy your winter to the fullest:
- 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, til laddus are standard winter groceries.
- Garlic: It is not only effective as a cholesterol lowering agent but also as a warming food. Winter is also a bad time for people having bronchitis and asthma. A wonderful remedy for them is to substitute a heavy dinner with a black channa soup with lots of vegetables and curative garlic for the zing!
- Ginger: You can have it in chutney or add it to soups or cooked vegetables.
- Cinnamon: Pulaos and Biryanis taste awesome when you add cinnamon sticks to them
- Onion: Have it as a hot French onion soup or add it to curries.
- Cumin seeds: Add it to flavor green veggies or simply garnish the rotis with it.
- Pepper: It is excellent for asthmatics; you can simply sprinkle some on your breakfast omelette.
- Clove: A great mouth freshener and it is also known for its antiseptic abilities.
- Fennel: Really good for the stomach and can be used as a digestive after meals.
- Fenugreek: Have 1 teaspoon pre-soaked methi seeds early morning; really good for diabetes.
- Almonds: Have 10 soaked almonds in the morning.
- Pumpkin seeds: Have it with sauté channa or murmura with a dash of oil. Also, tarbooz seeds go well with tea.
- Millets: Bajra, jowar rotis with green saags; simply delicious! (makki ki roti with sarson ka sag was invented for a reason). However, people with gas and flatulent tendency should go easy on it.
- Peanuts: we all love it! But because it is very gaseous, avoid over consumption.
- Honey: You should switch to this natural sweetener; great complexion is an added bonus.
- Saffron: Add it to your milk or pulaos. The rich taste will get you hooked!
- Fruits and Vegetables: Winter is the time when warming foods are in abundance. 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!
Foods which have to be avoided:
Maida, white-bread sandwiches, processed chips, aerated drinks, curd, raita, cold coffee, cucumber, alcohol, rice at night, too much butter and ghee and cold water after meals.
Lastly, avoid overeating at night as it overloads your metabolism and diminishes the digestive fire. There are a myriad of recipes online, which can be printed out and can be made in winter months. Perhaps you have your own recipes handed down from generation to generation. Treat the whole family to these exquisite meals that are not only healthy but are guaranteed to make you feel warm all over.
*Vegetable soup seasoned with assorted herbs and spices clears blocked sinuses.
*Hot tea flavored with grated ginger, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon warms the body and boosts immunity.
*Gingerroot tea is slow to warm up the body, but the warming effects lasts longer than normal tea.
*Pepper powder increases body temperature and blood circulation.
*Spicy chicken soup with garlic, ginger, and black pepper helps recovery from the dampening effects of cold weather
Other Winter Foods
Apart from winter fruits and vegetables, and herbs and spices, good winter foods include whole grains, beans and legumes, and nuts and seeds.
*Whole grains such as brown rice, whole wheat, oats, and quinoa are rich in nutrients, fiber, and phytochemicals to provide adequate energy to keep the body warm the whole day.
*Beans are an excellent source of protein that not only help in body rebuilding and repair, but also provide fiber for warmth without the accompanying cholesterol and saturated fats of meat products.
*Nuts and seeds are warming foods high in minerals, phytochemicals, fiber, and essential fatty acids. Walnuts provide the body with Omega 3 fatty acid, and sunflower and pumpkin seeds with Omega 6 fatty acids.