Eating Healthy In The Winter

The craving for junk food seems to intensify during winter because our bodies seek high-caloric food to stay warm. This means that fresh fruits and veggies tend to disappear from our plates in the cold winter months, which affects our health and general wellbeing. Here's how you can make sure that you and your family are eating healthy in the winter.

• Have a healthy breakfast. The cold winter months are perfect for kicking off your day with a warm bowl of oatmeal or porridge. Add dried cranberries for a sweet touch and almonds for crunch.

• Incorporate foods rich in beta-carotene into your winter diet. Examples include carrots, spinach, lettuce, kale, cabbage and sweet potatoes. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that protects your entire system and keeps you looking young.

• It is equally important to eat foods rich in vitamin C during winter to strengthen your immune system. Eat lots of capsicum, pomegranates, lime, lemons, oranges, cauliflower, broccoli, hot chili peppers and strawberries.

• Eat lots of seasonal veggies. Try veggies like dark leafy greens, turnips, parsnips, Brussels sprouts and carrots. They work wonders for your health.

• Be more adventurous about food. Never had sweet potatoes? How about buying some and rustling up a quick sweet potato salad with spinach, grilled chicken and feta cheese? Never considered eating beets and turnip? Simply toss them in olive oil, sprinkle salt and pepper, roast for 40 minutes, and enjoy this flavorful side dish.

• Drink more milk. Milk and milk products like cheese and yogurt are a great source of calcium (healthy bones) and also boost your immune system. Stick to low-fat varieties.

• Have lots of soup. Winter is the perfect time for making large pots of soup and sharing a wonderful meal with your family. Try butternut soup, mushroom soup or the good old chicken soup. Serve with warm garlic bread and you have a simple yet hearty dinner. Stay away from the high-sodium store-bought canned soups, though. Homemade soup is the healthiest, but go low on the salt.

• Keep healthy snacks around for your family to munch on. Fresh veggies dipped in honey-mustard and fruits like strawberries and raspberries dipped in low-fat flavored yogurt are both excellent options. Other healthy snacks include peanut-butter sandwiches, no-butter popcorn, low-fat homemade granola and nuts.

• Satisfy sweet cravings with healthy options like baked apples with caramel sauce, banana bread, berry salads, frozen yogurt, and sorbets.

The next time you go grocery shopping, remember this one simple rule for eating healthy during winters: shop for seasonal food products. Seasonal fruits and vegetables are fresh, nutritious and very high in flavor, making for excellent and healthy meals.