Did you know that eating some foods during winter can help you prevent common winter-season infections like colds, flu, or coughs? Several foods can boost your immunity and offer many essential nutrients that help you stay healthy. Learn the best foods to eat in the winter season and healthy eating habits for a balanced lifestyle in this article. You can contact us by visiting our clinic or visiting our website at https://doralhw.org/.

Healthy eating habits for a balanced lifestyle

Eating habits play a crucial role in maintaining a good lifestyle. When you eat healthy on time it helps you prevent falling sick and boosts your immune system. As in winter, the risk of falling sick increases, so having good eating habits is crucial to keep you fit and healthy. Here are some common healthy eating habits you should add to your lifestyle to keep yourself healthy, including:

1. Make changes in your diet if you are sick:

If you have the flu, you need to focus on eating and drinking, even if you don’t like it because this is the only way to recover faster. You can store your meals in the freezer or cupboard to easily cook or prepare. Make sure you check their nutritional information before storing any pre-prepared foods. Choose low-saturated fat and low-salt versions whenever possible. Depending on the type of illness, you need to make changes in your diet for fast recovery.

2. Avoid comfort eating:

During winter, people’s temptation to comfort eat gets high. If you can’t prevent this temptation, then instead of eating snacks between meals, try to eat a cup of homemade vegetable soup or a bowl of stewed fruit to fill the gap and keep yourself warm. You can use any leftover vegetables in your soup, or you can add a tin of cannellini or butter beans to make it more substantial.

3. Cut costs by planning:

Planning your food menu allows you to ensure you eat a healthy, balanced diet on time. It also avoids or reduces the chance of buying food that gets wasted in the fridge.

4. Shop online:

If you find it difficult to go out in extreme weather, you can try online shopping to get bulky /heavy items delivered to your door. If you don’t have internet access, some supermarkets take orders on call and do home delivery. Getting out is important though, so you can try to go out whenever you must buy a few small items which aren’t heavy to carry.

5. Buy frozen foods:

Sometimes frozen foods are more nutritious than fresh and will last well in the freezer, so you can also buy or eat frozen foods so there’s no waste and also save your money.

Best Foods to eat in the winter season

Here are some of the best foods you can consider adding to your diet to keep yourself healthy and energetic in the winter season. It includes:

1. Leafy greens:

Ideally, you should eat 50% vegetables in your daily food intake. However, not all vegetables are equally nutritious. Some are more beneficial than others. That’s why you should consider eating leafy green vegetables like spinach, kale, and arugula which are loaded with nutrients like zinc, iron, and vitamins C, K, and A that prevent winter viruses like flu and bolster your immune system. It also promotes bone health, pumping iron stores, blood-clotting, improves vision, and optimizes overall vitality. You can also buy frozen ones as well to save some money, just ensure they are not too old.

2. Citrus fruits:

Citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons, kiwis, and clementines are good sources of vitamin C, which is a natural immune system booster and improves mood as well. Adding them to your diet keeps your gut healthy and protects you from illnesses.

3. Root vegetables:

Root vegetables like beets, carrots, onions, garlic, fennel, turnips, and parsnips that grow in the winter season are good sources of essential nutrients, like beta-carotene, and vitamins C and A, which boost your immune system and protect you from colds and flu. It is also a major source of fiber, which is beneficial for your gut health along with minerals like potassium and manganese. You can store them in cool, dark places like a basement or cellar. These vegetables are great to add to your hearty soups or roast in the oven at 350 degrees with a little olive oil to preserve their nutrients and enjoy.

4. Nuts and seeds:

Nuts and seeds such as almonds, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, chia seeds, and flaxseeds, are all good sources of antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and plant-based protein sources. You can buy them raw, unsalted, or low salt options instead of going for candied, salted, or included in the trail mix. This also helps you control unwanted hunger pangs and provides essential nutrients for overall well-being.

5. Soup:

This is one of the best foods you should consume throughout the winter season. This keeps you hydrated and boosts your immune system to protect you from infections. Make sure you avoid too much salt, beef soup, and cream with this meal. You can get many recipes online to make veg or non-veg soups according to your taste and preferences.

Eating the above-mentioned foods in your diet and following healthy eating habits in the winter season can help you stay healthy throughout winter and prevent you from falling ill. These foods are high in nutrients and minerals that ensure you stay healthy and fit.

Need help to keep yourself healthy, call us to get a consultation!!!!

You can schedule an appointment with Doral Health and Wellness doctors in Brooklyn. If you are looking for nutritional support and treatments, you can also talk to our specialists and inquire about them. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call 1-347-384-5690.