10 Best Healthy Foods to Add to Your Winter Diet: Stay Nourished & Warm

The chilly winter comes with its own set of health challenges. Your body needs a little support to cope with the cold weather conditions to stay healthy. Along with the cosy blankets and furry jackets, food also plays an important role in keeping you warm and healthy from within. While you spend the colder days indoors relaxing on your couch, it is very easy to fall into the trap of eating tempting junk food for pleasure. But eating healthy winter foods instead and adding health supplements to your diet goes a long way in keeping you warm, energised and in the best of health. So, what are the foods to eat in winter? Let us find out.

This blog gives you an idea about why eating nutritious food is important and the health issues associated with poor dietary habits, and lists 10 healthy food options to eat in winter for staying healthy and warm. Read on to learn more.

Why Eat Healthy Food in Winter?

Though it is best to eat healthy food all year round for your overall well-being, winter blues make healthy food habits all the more important. Reduced sunlight exposure can affect your mood and make you feel low on energy. Common illnesses like colds and flu are also more prevalent in winter, making you susceptible to compromised health conditions. Besides, you feel hungrier all the time, and the uncontrolled eating can lead to stomach upsets.

Eating season-appropriate healthy food helps maintain your energy levels, improves immune health, supports digestion, and helps keep you warm and upbeat.

10 Healthy Foods to include in a Winter Diet

While you are taking good care of yourself, including these winter diets in your routine will help you stay healthy, warm and comfortable during colder months:

Citrus Fruits & Berries

Citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C, a nutrient that helps support immune system health and fight colds and flu. Include immunity-boosting winter foods, like kiwi, oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, etc., in your diet to give a zesty punch of vitamin C to your body. Supplements, such as Herbs of Gold Vitamin C 1000 Plus, also help provide the vitamin C boost for a healthy immune system. Our complete guide to vitamin C will give you a more detailed insight into this nutrient. 

Different berries, like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, etc., are packed with antioxidants and help defend body cells from the harmful free radicals, thus boosting immunity.

Leafy Greens

Leafy green vegetables, like kale, spinach, silverbeet, etc., are filled with essential nutrients like vitamins A, K & C, magnesium, potassium and fibre. These greens offer satiety and provide support for a healthy gut microbiome. Include leafy vegetables in your diet to support your metabolic health. Nature’s Goodness Cinnamon Capsules are also a great supplement option to support metabolism.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables, like carrots, parsnips, beetroots, turnips, etc., are excellent sources of essential nutrients, such as beta-carotene, vitamins A, C & K, fibre, antioxidants, and more, and offer multiple health benefits. These modest vegetables can support metabolic health, aid in blood sugar control, and boost immune system health, among other health benefits.

Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (including Brussels sprouts), etc., are the mighty vegetables that work as a metabolic powerhouse for the body. These veggies are rich in vitamins C & K, antioxidants, fibre, etc., and have a low Glycemic Index (GI) to support blood sugar control. They also help support overall health and well-being.

Beans

Beans are a good source of protein and fibre. Beans support energy levels, give a feeling of fullness, and can aid in digestion. Besides, chickpeas, kidney beans, etc., can be a delicious main course option, or work as a flavourful addition to salads and sides, giving your diet a tasty and healthy variety.

Nuts & Seeds

A healthy combination of fats, proteins, and essential nutrients in nuts and seeds, like almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc., helps add a crunchy punch of nutrition to your winter diet. Nuts and seeds are rich in antioxidants and trace minerals and help support overall health in the chilly weather.

Whole Grains

Along with the usual wheat and rice, whole grains, like oats, quinoa, buckwheat, etc., help provide protein, vitamins, minerals, and fibre and support the energy levels throughout the day. Whole grains are a great option to start the day with. This food helps you stay fuller for longer and supports immune system health.

Fish

Come winter and the markets bustle with mouth-watering fish varieties, like salmon, tuna, barramundi, etc. Fish work as a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, protein, and other essential nutrients, and can help support the immune system health, heart health, as well as overall health. Besides, fish can also help improve mood during the colder winter months.

Garlic

Garlic has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This stinky little bulb helps assist in blood sugar control, aids in maintaining immune system health, and can be helpful in maintaining overall metabolic well-being. Mince and add garlic cloves to your sauces and dressings, or enrich your diet with supplements like Thompson’s Garlic Perles to give your body an immunity boost in winter.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate contains a high proportion of cocoa that is rich in antioxidants. It can not only work as a mood enhancer but also help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of various diseases. However, do not miss the portion control aspect to ensure your body gets only the benefits it wants to stay healthy.

Parting notes

While you are gearing up for the cold winter weather, a healthy diet is a part you cannot ignore. Add the nutrient-rich foods mentioned in this blog to your Aussies winter diet, and give your body the comfort and warmth it needs to fight the winter chills. It is also a good idea to enrich your diet with beneficial supplements. Explore the extensive collection of quality healthcare products available at Healthsupplements.com.au and get everything you need to keep yourself healthy and happy.