9 Foods to Keep Body Warm in Winter

When the winter chill makes us shiver, eating or drinking something warm, other than getting comfortable under a blanket is our first instinct! Get expert advice on healthy choices.

Here are the foods you must consume to stay warm during the winter months.

Cereals

Start the day with oatmeal, porridge and whole grains. Although we often crave pizza and pasta, it's best to eat them once in a while because they won't help keep us warm and will only have a temporary effect because simple carbohydrates are digested quickly

Soups

Soups are a good choice because they contain a lot of vegetables that keep our bodies warm inside and out. Soups made from beans, fenugreek, and barley are good choices, or they can be a main meal with added carbohydrates. A few spices like cumin, cinnamon and ginger and you're ready for the healthiest meal of the day. These are all very healthy choices for the mother-to-be.

Fruits

Fruits grown locally during the winter months often prove to be beneficial. Bananas, strawberries, kiwis, apples, plums, lychees, papayas, lychees and pomegranates are some of the best choices.

Bananas are a good source of magnesium and help regulate body temperature. Children can be given bananas or will be dipped in homemade peanut butter.

Dried Fruits and Nuts

Almonds, cashews, walnuts are a good source of fat and also help regulate body temperature. Figs, dates, and olives are also good choices because they are often used in countries experiencing severe cold. Dates are an excellent source of iron, and the combination of the hot herb mixture with dates is exactly what you are looking for. Pregnant women can eat a handful of dried fruit a day.

Nursing mothers can also enjoy a handful of dried fruit, or make a laddoo with dried fruit.

Spices

Spices are a great way to maintain heat production. Since Indian cuisine usually includes spices in its preparation, some superstars are ginger, cumin, pepper, sesame seeds and cinnamon. Ginger can be used in our teas, soups, and even in the seasoning of any curry. Cumin helps keep the body warm for a long time. Therefore, be generous in your preparations by adding cumin. Cinnamon can be added to salads and hot chocolate or lattes as it enhances flavor and boosts metabolism.

Meat

For non-vegetarians, meat can be part of the diet because it raises body temperature during metabolic processes and is an excellent source of iron and protein.

Honey

Honey alone, or added to salads will also help during the winter months as they are traditionally known as a cure for coughs and colds. Honey can be included in the diet as long as there is no history of diabetes.

Hot Drinks

This is definitely good news for hot beverage lovers, as drinking them in the winter warms the body from the inside. Coffee is a good choice, as long as you don't drink it more than twice a day. Hot chocolate, tea or a glass of hot milk will help you during this season.

Ghee

Ghee helps to boost immunity. It can be added to any of your preparations or you can mix or alternate vegetable oil with ghee in winter.

During this season, you can mix all of the above in your diet in moderation. Eat well and stay warm!