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Top 10 Winter Super Foods That Will Boost Your Health

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As the weather gets chillier by the day and the flu season becomes more dangerous than ever, it might be time to make a few changes to the diet. This includes adding and incorporating a few winter foods into your diet that can not only improve your health but also help protect you from various infections. To that end, here is a list of the top 10 winter super foods that will boost your health:

• Carrots: This winter vegetable has far more benefits than most of us tend to know about. They are rich in beta-carotene, which our body then processes into Vitamin A, an essential component in keeping our eyes healthy and protecting from the sun. Eating a regular diet of carrots is also useful in preventing cataracts. They are also ideal for winter meals as carrots contain antioxidants, and can be boiled into hot soups or cooked into stir-fries and curries.

• Sweet Potatoes: Another winter vegetable that easily makes it into the top of the winter foods list is the sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are an incredibly delicious root vegetable that is easy to cook and does not require much hassle to prepare. Simply boiling or roasting it and enjoying the mash is a great accompaniment to your meal. They are rich in antioxidants, beta-carotene, and fiber and a healthier alternative to regular potatoes.

• Broccoli: While not very prevalent in India even a few decades ago, broccoli enjoys immense popularity in the country today as a healthy, nutritious, and versatile winter vegetable. Not only does it fall under the category of the much-desired “green vegetables”, but it is also incredibly rich in antioxidants and vitamins, making it an ideal food to protect yourself from the winter flu season.

• Red Capsicum/Bell Pepper: There is more to bell peppers than meets the eye. While they come in a variety of colours, it is important to keep an eye out for the one that makes for the best winter food - red capsicum. Red capsicum is known to be rich in carotenoids, which have been linked to lower blood pressure and reduced risks of developing heart diseases and even various forms of cancer.

• Citrus Fruits: Even though citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, sweet lime, and grapefruits are typically associated with summers, they actually deserve their place in the winter foods list as well. This is because citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin C, which helps build immunity and protects our body against viral and bacterial infections. They can also be easily incorporated into most diets - be it as whole fruits, added into sweet dishes and salads, or as squeezed juices added to hot beverages, sauces, and marinades. Whenever you next think about winter fruits, make sure to include citruses in the list.

• Pomegranates: Pomegranates have long been recommended by both elders as well as doctors as a healthy winter fruit that can be enjoyed during the season in a variety of ways. They contain a whole host of antioxidants and are also rich in important nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, and iron.

• Pears: Yet another important addition to the list of beneficial winter fruits is pears. Pears are ideal for any season, but they make for great winter foods because they are packed with good fiber and various nutrients such as Vitamin C, Vitamin K, copper, and magnesium. They have also been linked to lowered risks of developing various forms of heart diseases and gut-related illnesses.

• Oats: Even though children in the past associated oats with boring mealtimes, they have become a popular staple in the health food scene and are also incredibly useful as winter food. This cereal grain is highly nutritious, is an excellent source of soluble fiber, and is rich in antioxidants, making them ideal to fight common illnesses during cold weathers. Possibly the best thing about oats is how versatile they are - they can be just as easily prepared into a sweet dish accompanied by winter fruits as well as a savory dish with a variety of winter vegetables. 

• Garlic: There is perhaps no other item on this winter food list that is as easily incorporated into meals as garlic. This is incredibly useful since garlic is rich in essential nutrients and has been regularly included in the list of immunity-boosting foods by nutrition experts. Garlic contains various useful amino acids as well as compounds such as germanium and selenium, which enhance immune function and help protect against various types of flu-causing microbes.

• Green Tea: Last but not the least, make sure that your winter diet makes room for a good, hot cup of green tea. While technically a beverage, green tea makes for an excellent winter food due to its long list of benefits, particularly during the chilly conditions of the winter season. It contains strong antioxidants and has been proven to help in burning fat, and lowering risks of heart disease, diabetes, brain illnesses, and even some forms of cancer.

Conclusion

This winter foods list is an essential one, as just adding a few or all of these food items to your diet can make a significant difference in improving your health and boosting your immunity. So, the next time you head out shopping for your winter meals, make sure to keep these useful winter foods in mind for a healthier eating experience.