A lot of the fresh fruits and veggies we enjoyed during the warm summer weather won’t be available during winter. But that doesn’t mean that you can no longer enjoy your daily dose of superfoods during the colder winter months.
We have listed some great winter superfoods that you can enjoy this season to help keep you healthy and strong.
What are superfoods?
In the scientific sense, no such term really exists. The term has been coined up for marketing purposes, but that’s not to say that it’s all just hype.
Foods that are classified as superfoods are packed with nutrients. Certain types of food become rockstars in their own right when loaded with powers like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can be associated with loads of health benefits. These are foods that help minimize your visits to a physician, specialist, or GI doctor.
Healthy Superfoods You Should Eat During Wintertime
1. Ginger
Fact: ginger has been used for centuries to battle upset stomachs, improve digestion, and boost the immune system. Daily consumption of ginger — whether as an ingredient to Asian dishes or steeped in hot water as a tea — can help keep nasty winter viruses at bay.
2. Winter Squash
Whether you choose acorn or butternut, both are equally beneficial to your health. It’s not just easy to cook; it also helps decrease your cholesterol and lower your blood pressure.
3. Citrus Fruits
The very first thing that comes to mind when you mention citrus fruits is that they are packed with high doses of vitamin C. Some of them also contain high levels of phytochemicals that help minimize the risk of getting cancer.
4. Kale
Potassium is very effective in reducing blood pressure by getting rid of the excess sodium in your body. This wintertime, you can get ample doses of potassium from kale, which is very helpful, especially if you have low potassium levels.
5. Brussel Sprouts
Brussel sprouts, another wintertime favorite, not only taste good but are also great for the body. They are a great source for vitamins K, C, and B6, plus folate, potassium, and manganese.
6. Apples
An apple a day indeed keeps the doctor away. Besides being a great source of vitamin C, they also contain high doses of pectin (especially the peels), a type of soluble fiber that can help lower your blood pressure.
7. Sweet Potatoes
Who doesn’t love sweet potatoes? Just the mere thought of it served with other Thanksgiving or Christmas favorites is enough to make anyone drool. It’s packed with beta-carotene, and it tastes really good. What’s not to like?
8. Fennel
Whether you like it or not, there’s no denying that fennel is a wintertime superfood densely packed with nutrients. People have mixed feelings about this mainly because of its strong licorice taste, but if you can get past that, it works very well as a digestive aid.
9. Parsnips
This wonderful root veggie provides one with fiber and folate that helps improve digestion and build brain cells. Since they taste mostly like carrots, they can be swapped out for recipes that use carrots.
10. Leeks
About 50% of Americans do not get enough magnesium in their bodies. You can avoid being one of those statistics by eating leeks as they are a great source of magnesium.
11. Broccoli
If you were surprised that apples were a good source of vitamin C, you’d also be surprised to know that broccoli is another great vitamin C source. A cup of broccoli gives you more than 100% of your daily vitamin C needs on top of its cancer-fighting potential.
12. Pomegranate
Although harvesting pomegranate seeds can be quite a chore, the payoff is well worth it. It is high in polyphenols that can improve your memory, fight off infections, and make your heart healthier.
13. Beets
Although beets aren’t as easy to include in your Thanksgiving or Christmas menu, they can be used for winter salads. They are high in beta-carotene, potassium, folate, and other nutrients.
14. Avocados
Avocados aren’t just great for summertime food, but they’re also perfect for the winter. It is one of the better-known foods stuffed with so many nutrients that, coupled with its yummy taste, make it a near-perfect food.
15. Cabbage
Cabbages contain high amounts of vitamin C and K, potassium, and calcium. It’s easy to include in meals and is inexpensive, making it an ideal wintertime food staple.
As you enjoy the holidays’ festivities and celebrations, don’t forget to take your daily servings of the fruits and veggies listed above to help boost your immune system and keep you healthy throughout the season.
