Stock Up! Foods And Its Health Benefits

Now, cooler months are around the corner, we lose more than just a few hours of daylight and all the fresh fruits and vegetables of summer disappear, too. If you are missing your favourite summer superfoods, we feel your pain deeply! But we do have some amazing news for you: the cold season is also full of winter wonder foods. Here, we have prepared a list of amazing foods readily available in December power-packed with a serious nutritional punch and are just waiting to be worked into your favourite cold-weather recipes.

• Ginger: Any winter list is incomplete without the mention of this wonderful medicinal plant. Cold, cough, or flu? This spice can do wonders in providing instant relief to you. It has been used for centuries to improve digestion, soothe upset stomachs, and boost your immune system. It’s often available all around the year but the freshest roots are likely to be those harvested in the winter months.
• Apples: Adequate vitamin C is the key for immune support (super helpful during cold and flu season) and that apples also contain pectin, a soluble fibre that has been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels.
• Sweet potatoes: A great source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that fights free radical damage and inflammation, sweet potatoes can be served as a perfect snack this December. It is also full of anti-inflammatory properties that can help o boost your immunity in winters.
• Winter Squash: Winter squash has plenty of fibre, magnesium, beta carotene, and vitamins A, C, and B6. Plus, eating it can even help to decrease your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It is also super easy to cook and can be roasted too. They also provide nutrients like good fats, iron, and vitamin E, so why not include them in our diet!
• Kale: kale is loaded with potassium that can help reduce blood pressure by removing excess sodium from the body. Also, increasing potassium intake might be just as impactful as reducing sodium intake for lowering blood pressure. You can make baked kale chips and enjoy all the health benefits with flavours.
• Beetroot: These dark red root veggies are high in folate, potassium, magnesium, and beta carotene, nutrients making them a unique but nutritious addition to your table this December. Include them in salads or make beetroot tikkis (air-fry, of course!). Beetroots are also filled with sufficient amounts of vitamin C- nature’s immunity boosters.
• Whole grains: Whole grains are rich in B vitamins, fibre, antioxidants, and micronutrients like iron, zinc, copper, magnesium, and phosphorus. Numerous studies showed that have linked the consumption of whole grains and millets to a reduced risk of Diabetes, Heart diseases, and stroke. The complex carbs present in whole grains even help prevent insulin spikes. The fibre helps in maintaining gut health while improving sugar and cholesterol control.
• Nuts: Naturally cholesterol-free and loaded with phytochemicals that act as antioxidants in our body. They provide vitamins E, B6, niacin, and folate; moreover, they provide minerals such as magnesium, zinc, plant iron, calcium, copper, selenium, phosphorus, and potassium. They also showed to prevent weight gain and reduce the risk of heart diseases and diabetes.

Over to you:

This December, stock up your pantries with these amazing wonder foods and keep yourself free from winter cold and cough. Include more Vitamin C-rich foods to boost your immunity, dark green leafy vegetables that promote healthy RBC, and healthy nuts among other foods to stay healthy and keep infections at bay!