7 Healthiest Winter Foods
There are not many foods available in the winter as it does in summer, but that does not mean that we have to change our dietary patterns or that we have to eat less or more. We can maintain the same intake of nutrients by eating seasonal food items that we can get in winter. Eating well is important to maintain our skin and hair during the harsh cold weather too. Here are some surprising winter healthy foods.
1. Pomegranate
This is a storehouse of nutrients and can be taken in the juice form or in its natural form. Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants and help in keeping free radicals from oxidising LDL cholesterol which is known as the bad cholesterol. Pomegranate is also good for the heart as it reduces the chances of plaque forming in the arteries. Since it is a winter fruit, you should make the best use of it and have a cup of it even every single day.
2. Dark and leafy greens
Greens especially kale, collards and chard grow well in the winter months. In fact, the frost actually helps in taking away some of the bitter taste from the kale. The leafy greens have a lot of vitamin A, C and K and mustard greens and escarole have a lot of folate which are very good for women, especially women in the child bearing age.
3. Citrus fruits
Although we associate citrus fruits with summer, the fact is that they are the juiciest in the winter months. Grape fruit especially is an amazing source of vitamin C . The citrus fruits also have flavonoids which help in boosting the levels of HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol and bringing down the levels of the bad LDL cholesterol.
4. Potatoes
With the ad rap that French fries have created, many think that potatoes are bad for health altogether when they are actually a treasure trove of nutrients. Potatoes have Vitamin C, B6, anthocyanin, an antioxidant, folate, starch and a lot of fiber. If you do not deep fry it , potatoes can be one of the healthiest foods ever.
