JOIN USBeat the chill from within
Hot deep-fried foods warms your body only temporarily, writes Hema Anand
Winter is here and it is the time to enjoy the nip in the air. As the temperature falls, our body also gets affected by the change in the outside temperature and our body temperature also falls. We prefer to stay indoors and crave for foods which give some instant warmth to the body. At such times, some hot deep fried snacks like samosas and bhajjis accompanied with a cup of hot tea or coffee may seem perfect. These foods may give the body a feeling of warmth, but this is only temporary feeling. Also it is not advisable to indulge in such fried stuff all the time as they are high in calories.
Also winter is the season when many people fall sick with colds, coughs and fever. So there is a need to include certain foods in our daily diet which bring warmth to the body internally, boost our immunity level and help the body to beat the cold from within. The body releases certain amount of energy while digesting food and the energy produced during the digestion and absorption of some foods is more and helps in increasing the body heat.
Let us list a few such foods which can be easily incorporated in our diet and help us to fight the cold weather internally.
* Many spices like cloves, cinnamon, pepper, cumin seeds, carom seeds and turmeric are very good for the body and also have medicinal properties. A glass of milk boiled for some time with one teaspoon of cumin seeds, a few pepper corns, a pinch of turmeric powder and sugar is excellent for coughs and colds. A dash of pepper powder. On your food and salads not only adds to the taste but also works wonders in warming the body. Cumin seeds and carom seeds can be added to the dough for making rotis or puris.
* Poppy seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and melon seeds should be included in our diet. Halwa made from poppy seeds, called ‘Khoyo’, is a traditional Sindhi sweet prepared in winter months. Dry dates, saffron, almonds, cashew nuts and raisins are also added to this halwa. A few table spoon of poppy seeds can also be added to gajar ka halwa.’ Gajjak, rewaris, chikkies and laddoos made from sesame seeds are common delicacies for winter. Flax seeds, melon seeds and pumpkin seeds can be added to salads and can also be added while grinding masalas for gravies and can be easily incorporated in our diet.
* Munch on a few unsalted nuts almonds, walnuts and peanuts during winter.
* Having a spoon of honey daily in winter will boost your immunity levels and keep you away from colds and flues. A few drops of ginger juice added to a spoon of honey is an excellent remedy for cough. Having 5-6 almonds soaked in honey is not only good for the cold weather but also improves memory and is therefore good for children.
* Indian cooking is incomplete without the use of onion, ginger and garlic. But these not only add to the taste, they also help to keep the body warm. Ginger and garlic have decongestant, antibiotic and antifungal properties and have always been used in home remedies.
* Apart from wheat, grains like jowar, bajra and corn can be used to make rotis as they have a warming effect. Hot porridge made from broken wheat, jowar and oats can be had has a healthy, nutritious and filling breakfast.
* Chicken, fish and eggs are also good for the cold and chilling days.
* A bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables are available in the winter season. These seasonal fruits and vegetables are high in nutrition. So make it a point to have all these fruits and veggies. Nothing can be more nutritious and warming than a hot soup made of fresh vegetables like carrot, cabbage, beetroots or green leafy vegetables.
Due to the weather, we do not feel like having water. Having enough water is also very important. So make sure to have enough water. So stay fit and enjoy the beautiful weather and never make the cold mornings an excuse to skip your daily exercise routine.