Winter has its toe firmly wedged in the door. I can tell because my coffee and chai consumption are way up, and my salad intake precariously down. But I am fighting the good fight. This winter, I vow, I will embrace all those wonderful healthy foods that deserve to be part of my steady diet just as much as hot chocolate does.
For the record, our food preferences do naturally shift a bit in winter. We are drawn to hearty, warming meals, whereas raw food seems less enticing. If we pay attention to our instinctual cravings for grounding, warming food and take advantage of a little subliminal suggestion (steamed beets anyone?) we can eat our way to a state of vibrant health. Here is a list of our five favorite winter foods, designed to put a little spring in your step as you make your way through the slush.
Back to your roots
Root vegetables have a special place in my heart. Behold the humble turnip, parsnip, and rutabaga, just waiting for their chance to shine in a roasted vegetable palooza. Not to mention the vibrant beet, high in microelements and minerals essential for a healthy digestive and immune system. Beet’s rich pigment is chock full of antioxidants and carotenoids, all of which help fight cancer and decrease your risk of heart disease.
Sow your oats
Don’t underestimate the power of a bowl of oatmeal. It’s more than cheap and filling—it’s rich in nutrients essential for winter. Besides the soothing taste, oatmeal has two unbeatable selling points: It’s high in zinc—key for proper immune function—and soluble fiber critical for heart health.
Get brassy
Not only is the brassica family rich in fiber, it also contains glucoraphanin, a compound especially relevant during winter, when our immunity is low. Glucoraphanin, which is most concentrated in broccoli, is converted into another compound called sulphoraphane, which turns on our antioxidant defenses and aids metabolism.
Power to the pomegranate
Glorious pomegranate, with its abundant jewel-like seeds and tart flavor profile, is loaded with immune-boosting potassium, vitamin C, polyphenols and vitamin B6. Pomegranates are also a rare source of a compound called punicalagins, which lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
Orange you glad
Fresh citrus is the star of winter’s produce, and oranges are vitamin C central—a must for our body’s ability to stave off disease. Just one orange exceeds the daily requirement of power-packed vitamin C, and provides other disease fighting nutrients as well. Rich in calcium and minerals, citrus fruits are also beneficial for improving heart health, aiding the digestive system and bolstering bone density.