The cold weather tends to push us towards various forms of comfort food. We look for foods that warm us up like hot chocolate, warm cookies, and cheesy or creamy casseroles. Most people consider comfort food to be unhealthy but that doesn’t have to be the case. Here are some healthy foods that will keep you warm and boost your mood.
Root Vegetables:
Local farmers will have root vegetables available throughout the winter. Look for local beets, carrots and turnips. Roast carrots to get a shot of beta-carotene, or mash some turnips to get some vitamins C and A.
Vitamin D-rich Foods:
Adding foods with vitamin D should be a priority during the winter months. People who tend to suffer from anxiety and depression tend to have lower levels of vitamin D. Go for shiitake mushrooms, salmon, egg yolks, milk, and red meat to get some vitamin D into your diet.
Oatmeal:
Oatmeal is an excellent breakfast food that provides nutrients such as zinc for your immune system and soluble fibre for your heart. Add various spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg to dress it up a bit.
Soup:
Soup is surly the perfect winter food. If you want this to be healthy avoid cream and salt. Look for broth based soups with lots of vegetables. Adding beans or lentils to your soup add protein and fibre.
Mood-boosting Snacks:
Try to avoid grabbing sugary or processed snacks that can hinder your mood and encourage weight gain. Instead reach for nuts, fruit, sweet potato fries, or try roasted chickpeas.
Immune-boosting Foods:
Eating foods such as citrus fruits, mangoes, lemons, kiwis or vegetables such as broccoli, bell peppers, and strawberries are high in vitamin C and will help boost your immune system and your mood.
Sushi:
For a healthy, quick, on-the-go snack, reach for a tuna or salmon sushi roll. You’ll get a shot of vitamin D which can help strengthen your bones and help with heart health.
Broccoli and Cauliflower:
Broccoli and cauliflower are high in vitamin C which can give your immune system a good boost. If you can’t find them fresh, reaching for the frozen is just as healthy.
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-foods-for-winter-weather/
