Winter season is here and while you all enjoy the chilly breeze after several months of hot summers, it is essential to adjust to the needs of the cold season and keep yourself warm.
Nutritionist Avni Kaul says, when the temperature decreases, your metabolism tends to slow down in an attempt to save energy and keep your body warm. This is one of the reasons why you feel lethargic and lazy during winters.
Some foods assist in regulating your metabolism and keeping you active and energized through the entire day by warming your body and making you feel comfortable.
Here, in this article, Delhi’s top Nutritionist Avni Kaul talks about Indian foods that will keep you feeling warm and cozy during winter times.
Onions
In traditional Chinese medicines, onions have been used as a Chi an energizing tonic that enhances perspiration and keeps the body warm to counter cold weather. By shifting the body’s energy to the surface of the skin, your body can stay warm. Add them into a delicious soup to take the benefits.
Amaranth
Grains like the amaranth will keep you warm. You can prepare a warm amaranth cereal with winter berries and honey or you can also use it for lunch in place of rice. Moreover, this grain is known to keep you energetic during the sluggish winter days. They are good energy foods that mostly have starch which takes long to digest and produces energy over a period of time.
Ginger
Ginger is considered to have thermogenic qualities that can keep one warm. It can also boost your metabolism and promote blood flow. The ideal way to have it is to brew a hot cup of ginger tea prepared with raw ginger root.
Mustard
Whether it is mustard oil, mustard seeds or mustard leaves (sarson), all 3 are known to be hot in nature. Due to its warming qualities, they make quite a lot of heat in the body when consumed. Mustard oil is also mostly used for massaging the feet and body during harsh winters to make oneself warm and cozy.
Turnip
Root vegetables like the turnip, radish, and sweet potatoes provide the much-required energy and also make sure that you stay warm. Root vegetables are those which are grown beneath the surface. They are capable to warm the body due to their digestion which is slower and generates more heat. Have them make a warm stew for dinner and add them in a salad with leafy greens.
Avni Kaul is Founder of Nutriactivania with Masters Degree in Food and Nutrition from University of Delhi and is also a Certified Diabetes Educator from Project Hope and International Diabetes Federation. She is a Leicester Mammas Ambassador trained in Lactation Counselling with NHS United Kingdom. Mammas support pregnant and new mothers and their families. Specializations of Avni Kaul Include Infant and Young Child Feeding Practises, Pre and Post natal diets, Fat loss, Muscle Gain and Holistic Health and Nutrition