A huge cup of coffee, cosy blanket, long walks, playing badminton and eating dry fruits, winter has a lot going on but freshly produced fruits and veggies is definitely not on the list.
In cold climates, eating locally through out this season sounds challenging. Here we are with some good news, every meal doesn’t have to revolve around potatoes and onions. It’s possible to eat fresh fruits and vegetables with plenty of nutrients and flavor all winter long.
The best vegetables and fruits that are rich in health in this winter season are as follows;
ONIONS:
Apart from the tears they bring, Onions are one of the healthiest vegetable. It contains chromium which assists in regulating blood sugar. The photo-chemicals in onions improve the working of Vitamin C in the body, gifting you with improved immunity. Some like to eat in raw form and others enjoy it in cooked form, it’s healthy either way. To avoid the tears and smell it creates, rinse them with water and keep them in a bowl of water for a while before slicing it.
My favorite way to enjoy onions is to slice them really thin, squeeze some lemon juice, add salt and a bit of chat masla on it. It tastes so good, a must try!
CABBAGE:
Cabbage can provide with cholesterol lowering benefits, if it’s steam cooked. Raw cabbage also has cholesterol lowering benefits but not as steamed cabbage. Cabbage contains ‘Sinigrin” which has received special attention which helps in cancer prevention.
In a recent study, short-cooked or raw cabbage has cancer preventive benefits, where as long cooked cabbage failed to demonstrate measurable benefits. It is mostly eaten in raw form, as it’s beneficial as well as it’s mostly used for the Salad purpose.
POTATOES – Comfort Food
Potatoes are versatile and very healthy. Either it’s mashed, baked or roasted, people often think of potatoes as a comfort food. In UK, at the Institue for food in a research named “Metabolomics” took place which says that potatoes have a compound called “Kukoamines” which helps in lowering the blood pressure.
Most people eat potatoes in the form of greasy french fries, in baked potatoe form with additional spice, loaded down with butter, melted cheese and other flavours of toppings, which is injurious to health and it also might become a contributor to a Heart Attack.
CARROTS – The Crunchy Power food:
Carrots are available throughout the year, locally grown carrots are in season in the summer and fall when they are the freshest and most flavorable. Carrots roots have a crunchy texture and have a sweet and minty aromatic taste.
The health benefits of carrots include in reducing cholesterol, prevention from heart attacks, warding off of certain cancers, improving vision, and reducing the signs of premature aging. Furthermore, carrots have the ability to increase the health of your skin, boost the immune system, improve digestion, increase cardiovascular health, detoxify the body, and boost oral health in a variety of ways. It is good source of antioxidant agents.
HERBS:
We all use herbal parts in our daily lives, one way or the other, whether for their rich flavor, for their healing power, or in our everyday recipes. Herbs contain unique anti-oxidants, essential oils, vitamins, phyto-sterols and many other plants derived nutrient substances, which help equip our body to fight against germs, toxins and to boost immunity level. Many unique compounds in the healthy herbs have been found to reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics. Herbs are, in fact, medicines in smaller dosages.
-Fresh healthy herb leaves can being used in the preparation of soups and herbal sauces.
-Chopped, fresh herb leaves can impart richness to vegetable as well as fruit salads.
-Along with other spicy items, selective healthy herbs are being used to enhance the flavor and taste of vegetable, chicken, fish and lean meat dishes.
-Some herbal leaves and plant parts are increasingly been used as popular flavor drinks.
FRUITS
KIWI:
It is full of fibers and nutrients and it also contains Vitamin C. Health benefits of kiwi includes in maintaining healthy skin tone and texture, reducing blood pressure and preventing heart disease and stroke. According to a study, kiwi fruit consumption improves sleep quality in adults with sleep problems.
Regular consumption of kiwifruit was shown to promote bulkier, softer and more frequent stool production. From a research, it has been reported that kiwi may have a mild laxative effect and could be used as a dietary supplement especially for elderly individuals experiencing constipation.
POMEGRANATE:
It is considered as the most healthiest fruit on earth. There are two unique substances in pomegranates that are responsible for most of their health benefits which are,
Punicalagins: Extremely powerful antioxidants found in the juice and peel of a pomegranate. Pomegranate extract and powder is typically made from the peel, due to its high antioxidant and punicalagin content.
Punicic acid: They are also known as pomegranate seed oil, which is the main fatty acid in the arils.
Recent medical research studied heart patients with severe carotid artery blockages. They were given an ounce of pomegranate juice each day for a year. Not only, pomegranates are good for your heart and blood vessels but they have been shown to inhibit breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, leukemia and to prevent vascular changes that promote tumor growth.
POMELOS:
Pomelos are considered citrus fruits. The skin of a pumelo is commonly used as an ingredient in conserve and in some cultures it is used medicinally. Pomelos are primarily found in Southeast Asia, which is their native region and primarily found there. It has not become widely popular in other parts of the world, because it typically takes 8 years before the seeds can begin to flower and bear fruit.
The reason that pomelos are popular is due to their very strong nutritional value. It is a quick Immune booster, as well as helps in digestion and lowering blood pressure. Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant substance to increase white blood cells and attack free radicals that can damage the organ systems of the body. It helps to fight off infections that lead to colds, coughs, fevers, and more serious symptoms and bacterial infections. The is the fruit that you just what you need to achieve weight loss because it has a fat burning chemical which causes weight reduction. Therefore, you have a tendency to eat less hence losing weight naturally.
RED GRAPES:
Red grapes are amazing tasting fruit. They are the cause of one of the most excellent wines. It contains 80 percent of water. By Consuming red grapes we get extreme health benefits.
Grapes, due to their high nutrient content, play an important role in ensuring a healthy and active life. It contains flavonoids that are very powerful antioxidants, which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals and slow down aging. It can also be used as a cure for asthma. The hydrating power of grapes is high, which increases the moisture present in the lungs and reduces asthmatic events.
