How To Eat Healthy In Winters, As Per Ayurveda

 

01/8Follow these tips to stay healthy in winters

Winters make all of us a little lazy and vulnerable to diseases. Exposure to the cold temperatures suppresses the immune system and slows down our metabolism. The greatest challenge in this season is to keep oneself active and healthy. The objectives that can only be achieved by practising healthy eating and following healthy lifestyle habits.

As per New York-based Ayurvedic practitioner, Nidhi Pandya, the cold weather shuts down our pores, contracting the movement of fluid in the body. The fluids are responsible for carrying out heat throughout the body and when the sweating mechanism is broken all the heat is retained in the gut. That's why winters are considered a great season to train the digestive fire and give good nourishing foods. Here are some important tips she shared to stay healthy and fit in this season.

02/8​Healthy fats

Add more healthy fats like ghee, mustard oil and coconut oil butter in your diet. Nidhi says that Fats are absorbed by the deepest of the tissues, which helps to keep your skin moisturised and prevent dryness. Besides, fats are required in winters for the absorption of vitamins A, E, K and D. The deficiency of these vitamins, particularly of vitamin D can lead to depression and may even impact your immunity.

03/8​Whole grains

Whole-grains are good for health in every season. It is packed with several essential nutrients and prevents us from several kinds of health ailments. Grains like oats, barley, and maize helps to keep you warm in the cold season. As per Ayurveda, the digestive fires are too high in winters and eating whole-grains can train your body to break complex carbs easily throughout the year.

04/8​Root vegetables

Winters are a season of root vegetables and adding them in your diet is a good option. These vegetables are dense in nutrients like vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, and iodine. They keep you fuller and prevent overeating, which is a common problem in the cold season. It also helps to maintain your blood sugar levels and reduces the risk of diabetes. Eat more carrot, sweet potatoes, beetroots and pumpkin.

05/8​Spices

Spices not only add aroma and taste to your food but also helps to keep you warmer. Besides, spices are also psychologically comforting and help to lift your mood in the grey season. They can control blood sugar, enhance circulation and promote good digestive health.

06/8​Avoid cold foods

Any cold or raw food items must be avoided in this season. Cold juices, smoothies, coffee and raw foods can make your body stagnant. Instead, drink warm soup, herbal tea and spiced turmeric milk.

07/8Exercise

Regular exercising is important in all the seasons be it summer or winter. It helps to burn extra calories, keep you active, strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

08/8​Abhyanga or massaging

Abhyanga is referred to massage your body with warm oil. Applying oil on your body before exercising and shower every day in winters can keep you warm and your skin healthy. The oil penetrates deep in the tissues and keeps your skin moisturised.