FOOD + DRINK
BOOST YOUR HEALTH THIS WINTER
SUMMER IS OVER. IT’ S A SAD TRUTH, BUT IT’ S A TRUTH ALL THE SAME. AUTUMN IS WELL UNDERWAY, AND WINTER IS HOVERING AROUND THE CORNER. SO WE MAY SOON START TO FEEL A BIT UNWELL. WINTER HAS THE UNENVIABLE REPUTATION OF BEING KNOWN AS‘ COLD AND FLU SEASON’ AND FOR GOOD REASON; IT IS FAR MORE LIKELY THAT YOU’ LL END UP WITH A COLD DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THAN THE SUMMER ONES.
Reasons for getting so many colds include being in closer proximity to more people than in the summer and the fact that our DNA actually changes a little depending on the time of the year. That means that our immune systems change too, becoming more susceptible when it’ s colder.
There are ways to combat the problem of the all-consuming cold. Wear layers so that you can regulate your temperature. Stay away from people if at all possible. Take vitamins. But the very best thing you can do is give in to your increased appetite and eat. During the winter, your digestive system changes the way it does things, and it works much harder, enabling more food to be digested because the body needs more of the nutrients required to both keep warm and fight off illness. So when you’ re feeling hungry in the winter, eat something – your body is literally crying out for sustenance.
That’ s not to say you should just grab anything and everything in the fridge and stuff yourself silly( as tempting as that might be on a cold winter’ s day). You will – you should – eat more at this time of year, but make sure that it’ s immunity boosting foods that you indulge in; you’ ll keep the colds and flu away by doing this. Here are some examples of what we mean …
Red Peppers Your immune system needs vitamin C throughout the year to stay in peak performance mode, but during the winter it needs it more than ever. Red peppers contain double the amount of vitamin C than citrus fruits do, which makes it the perfect addition to a hearty stew, a spicy curry, or even a winter salad.
Yoghurt Perhaps you won’ t feel much like munching a pot of yoghurt on a chilly winter’ s morning, but you might change your mind when you realise that the probiotics that yoghurt contains boost your immune system no end, and, if you were to become unwell, having the right amount of probiotics in your diet will mean recovery comes much quicker. You can add yogurt to a warming bowl of porridge or slather it on top of waffles or pancakes if the mood strikes. Add some blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries( or a combination of the lot) to really help that immunity thrive.
Garlic It’ s handy that garlic can be added to pretty much every( savoury) dish because not only will it enhance the flavour, but it will keep you from catching those dreaded winter bugs too. It contains potassium and calcium, and it fights off bacteria.
Turmeric Turmeric is an all-purpose kind of spice that gives anything it touches a delicious – and, importantly for winter, warming – curry flavour. That’ s enough of a reason to use it as much as possible, but the fact that it fights inflammation and infection, and undoes the damage caused by free radicals( unstable molecules that speed up aging and cause disease).
Brussels Sprouts Christmas comes in winter, and Christmas means Brussels sprouts in abundance. But before you wrinkle your nose in disgust, remember that they contain barely a hint of a calorie, yet they are packed full of essential nutrients. Plus, you only need a small amount to get your entire vitamin C requirement for a full day. Roast them up with some bacon or cashews, add some garlic( you’ ve then got a doubly good-for-you dish), and voila! Brussels are suddenly the best part of the Christmas dinner.
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