THE BEST WINTER FOODS

It’s that time of the year when you want to stay in and sip cups of latte under a blanket. What better way to spend winter, right? But it is also the season of colds and flus. Here are other foods that will not just keep you warm, but will keep you fit through winter too
Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious roots. “Roots are excellent foods for winter as they provide you with warmth,” says Mumbai-based consultant dietician Dr Sunita Dube. They are also a good source of dietary fibre and carbohydrates. They are also a good source of Vitamins A and C and a good source of minerals like manganese and copper. So have them, boiled, baked or even in a soup!

Another root to have this season is potato. These are a good healthy source of carbs and dietary fibre and are rich in Vitamin A. So have ‘em baked, roasted, grilled or even in a potato-leek soup.
Spinach
 “Greens are good for you during winter too as they are rich in antioxidants,” says dietician Maithili Pashtekar. Antioxidants perk you up and keep winter blues at bay. Spinach is also a good source of iron and calcium. So, whip up those soups and juices to start your day with!
Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds will keep you warm too. “Sesame or til chikkis are best eaten during winter as they produce heat in our body and are a good source of calcium too,” says Maithili. It is best had after a meal as it aides digestion. It is a good source of minerals like magnesium, iron, manganese and copper. These seeds helps your skin to retain moisture too!
Peanuts
“Peanuts are rich in antioxidants,” says Dr Sunita. These nuts also provide warmth to our system. Peanuts are a good source of vitamin E and B3. What’s more, because it is a good source of monounsaturated fats, it is a heart-friendly food too .
Bajra and Jowar
Millets like bajra and jowar also make for great meals during winter. “They are rich in calcium,” says Dr Sunita. Winter is the time we fortify our body and these millets help in absorption of calcium and build muscle tissue, she goes on to say. So make a meal of bhakris with jowar or bajra flour and spicy garlic chutney!
Oily Fish
Oily fish are a good source of vitamin D. “Vitmain D levels could go down during winter,” says Maithili. Moreover, they are a good source of omega 3 fats that will help prevent mood swings by elevating the serotonin levels in your body.
Pomegranate
“Pomegranates are a good source of polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant,” says Dr Sunita. It is also a good source of minerals like calcium and phosphorus. “This combination works well in boosting our immunity,” says Dr Sunita.

Here are a Few More Tips from Dr Sunita for a Healthy, Happy Winter

• Include a lot of berries like strawberries and blueberries in your diet as these are rich in antioxidants and will perk you up in no time.
• Don’t forget to keep yourself hydrated even during winter. It is essential not only to keep your system functioning smoothly, but beautiful skin too.
• Avoid rich foods, eg. deep fried foods and cheese. These are unhealthy at all times. And you won’t notice the extra pounds you have put on until summer!
• Choose to drink herbal teas like green tea, jasmine and chamomile over tea and coffee to prevent ODing on caffeine.