It’s that time of the year again! The days are getting shorter and the temperature sure is dropping. I’m sure we can all agree that snuggling up in bed and staying warm is all we want to do! Winter can be a hard time for many of us, but we can get through it by making sure we know a thing or two. The food you eat affects your body significantly, with some even raising or lowering your body temperature. That’s why consultant nutritionist, Rupali Datta suggests, “During winters, what you eat matters a lot for fighting the cold outside. There are certain foods that can generate heat in the body naturally. Hence, one must customise the pantry and include winter-friendly foods in it for the season.”
To help you get through the winter season, here are five nutritious and warming foods you could eat to stay strong and carry on:
Red Meat
Red meat is usually a sensible choice for the winter period as it is packed with iron. But why is iron important in the winter? Well, our bodies require certain minerals to maintain good health and temperature, and iron is one of the most essential minerals. It helps carry oxygen around the body and ensures that your body remains warm and toasty.
Ginger Tea
One of the best hot drinks to stay warm on these cold days is ginger tea. What’s more, this choice of tea can also help your digestion and is diaphoretic, which means that it’ll warm up your body internally. Helping with blood flow and metabolism, ginger tea will make sure that your toes and fingers stay warm. If you’re not a fan of ginger tea, be sure to add some light touches of ginger to your cooking.
Root Vegetables
Vegetables in general are awesome for the winter period, but root vegetables go the extra mile. Carrots, turnips, radishes and sweet potatoes should be on your shopping list, as they all digest slowly which produces more heat by requiring more energy. This means that your body stays warm longer and you won’t get unwanted cravings throughout the night.
Honey
Honey is a top Sunnah food which can be consumed in any season and with any meal. It can even be transformed into a winter tea. Every morning, start by taking a spoonful of honey in hot water before you dive into a toasty-warm breakfast. Preventing colds and coughs, honey is packed with nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Dry Fruits and Nuts
Great to have as a snack or as part of a meal, dry fruits and nuts are convenient to carry around when outside on a cold day. Leave aside your cereal bars and take a bite of the good stuff instead. Dried fruits and nuts such as raisins and almonds create heat in the body and can also help those with low levels of iron. Dates and olives are also great options for those looking to create internal and external body heat, as they are also packed with iron and essential nutrients.
Main Image Credit: Carli Jeen (Unsplash)
Juber Ahmed is our Digital Editor and travel enthusiast with a keen interest in Islamic history and heritage. He travels with his wife to various places around the world and writes about his experiences.
Juber's favourite Quote...
"The World Is a Book and Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only One Page" [Saint Augustine]
