Winter is Coming: Which Foods Should You Add to Your Diet?

Wintertime is quickly approaching around the US, and even if you love chilly weather, snowball fights, and more time inside, there are some factors that you’ll need to keep in mind when prepping yourself for the changes that winter brings.

Many people don’t think of it, but the food that you eat during winter is likely not the same foods that you eat during spring and summer. Sure, it’s a great time for stews and soups, but your body actually has different dietary needs.

Not only are you getting less sunlight, which means less vitamin D, but you’re also probably not able to get the physical activity that you can get when the days are longer and temperatures are higher.

Are you unsure about to start with your wintertime diet? Don’t sweat it.

We’ve got you covered with some foods to eat during winter. Adding these wintertime foods to your regular diet can help you avoid the wintertime weight gain that’s so common near the end of the year while also protecting your gut health, immune system, and more. Let’s dive into the list of wintertime foods you need to start eating.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, and turnips are excellent sources of fiber, and they also provide good carbohydrates, which can help give you an energy boost that you need when you’re not getting vitamin D.

One of the hardest parts of staying healthy during winter is fighting off the urge to stay on the couch and cozy up under a warm blanket. These good carbs can give you the jolt of energy that you need to get as active as you possibly can with the limited daylight hours you have.

The high fiber content that you’ll find in root vegetables is also an important component of promoting gut health during a time of the year when it’s easy to mindlessly snack on convenient foods.

Heavier meals are normal during winter, especially if you celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas, which both provide days of leftovers of decadent dishes. By consuming fiber-rich foods like root vegetables, you’ll be able to keep your digestive tract moving the way that it needs to.

Finally, incorporating vegetables promotes good eye health and heart health, while also controlling your blood sugar, which is also a challenge for many people during winter.

When the temperature drops, you’re likely eating more soups, stews, and chilis anyway, and each of these dishes provide you with a great chance to vary your wintertime diet with different types of vegetables.

Citrus Fruits

While many people think of citrus fruits as a summertime treat, they also serve a purpose when winter comes around. It’s interesting to note that citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits actually peak during the winter, which means you shouldn’t have any problem finding quality fruits that you can rely on when you’re looking for a healthy snack during the coldest part of the year.

One of the most notable benefits of incorporating citrus fruits into your diet is the abundance of vitamin C that they provide. Vitamin C is the most important vitamin when it comes to your immune system, and since late fall and winter are known for the flu and cold viruses that spread during this time, immune health is crucial.

In addition to vitamin C, citrus fruits are also known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Reducing inflammation not only helps protect your joints, which becomes even more important when you’re not able to get the usual amount of exercise that you get during warmer months, but it’s also a vital part of promoting cardiovascular health.

Incorporating some citrus fruits into your wintertime menu is also a great way to vary your flavor profiles, which helps keep you from getting bored with the same dishes.

Dark Leafy Greens

You’ve probably noticed that fruits and vegetables are at the heart of this list of winter diet tips. That’s largely because their benefits are numerous and they’re low in calories, which helps you stave off the normal weight gain that comes with winter.

Dark leafy greens like kale, Swiss chard, and collard greens are packed with important vitamins like A, C, and K. They’re also laden with calcium, which promotes bone health and iron that helps promote circulation.

Bone health and circulation are always important, but when your physical activity gets put on pause in the winter, they’re even more crucial to your overall health and wellness.

Scientists have also established that dark leafy greens are rich in chlorophyll, which is a potent detoxifier.

When it’s warm outside and you have abundant daylight hours to go for a run after work, you can sweat out many of the toxins that accumulate in your body throughout the day.

As winter sets in, it’s harder to do that. Eating foods that are filled with chlorophyll allows you to naturally get those toxins out of your body. While it’s still important to get some regular exercise as you can during winter, anything you can do to help expedite the process is a great way to promote overall health.

Whole Grains

Whole grains are excellent additions to your diet, regardless of what season it is. However, they become even more important during the winter. Whole grains like oats, quinoa, and barley provide plenty of energy, fiber, and are rich in vitamin B.

Vitamin B is an important part of your body’s digestive system and also promotes metabolism. So many of the foods we’ve discussed today are crucial tools in the battle against wintertime weight gain, and foods that boost metabolism are near the top of that list of tools.

Whole grains are also rich in minerals like magnesium and selenium. These nutrients help improve muscle function, which includes everything from the muscles in your arms and legs to your heart, and immune support.

When you’re fighting off the colds and viruses that are so abundant in the wintertime, everything you can do to improve immune health is important.

Whole grains also promote balance and health in your gut’s microbiome, which is another important part of immune health. The good bacteria that are present in your gut helps improve your entire body’s health, and whole grains are one of the most effective gut health boosters that you can find.

Nuts and Seeds

Finally, let’s look at a snack that you can enjoy throughout the day, ensuring that you’re getting a healthy option that’s far better for you than the chips, cookies, and other unhealthy foods that many people turn to when their mindlessly enjoying a snack during winter.

Your body needs healthy fats to ensure good skin and hair health, along with hydration and brain function. Your skin and hair often suffer during winter, as the air gets dryer.

Additionally, while it’s not usually noticeable, at least in young people, it’s easy to let your brain health suffer during winter when you’re doing fewer engaging things outside.

One of the best parts about incorporating nuts and seeds into your wintertime diet is that they’re so versatile. Not only can you eat them as a standalone snack, but you can also add them to oatmeal, salads, and other options that we’ve already discussed.

Eat Well This Winter

The foods that we’ve discussed today are great additions to your diet, regardless of the season. However, wintertime creates some unique options that make choosing the right foods even more important.

By making the right dietary choices during winter, you can set yourself up for health and happiness, even on those bitter cold evenings when you don’t want to leave your home.