Healthy diet tips: 3 must-have foods to incorporate in your winter diet – Expert recommendations
Health experts around the world say that all the different seasons of the year require certain changes to a person’s diet and lifestyle during that time. Ayurveda related specifically doshas to the specific seasons and winters associated with Vata and Kapha dosha. This leads to the winter diet being one that helps to balance or correct Vata and Kapha doshas body and strengthen immunity. Sahaj (hereditary), Kalaj (seasonal), Yuktikrit (established) are the 3 types of immunity recognized by Ayurveda. During the winter, we want to strengthen Yuktikrit immunity through a regular and balanced diet and lifestyle, and full body yoga.
According to Ayurveda, there are certain food groups that are not suitable for consumption during winter, such as foods that are bitter, astringent and pungent. Cold foods and drinks such as ice cream should be avoided. Incorporating sweet, salty and sour foods, as well as warm, well-cooked foods in our winter diet is a great idea to keep the digestive system functioning properly. Consumption of fats, oils as well as raw dairy products is also encouraged. This is because cold weather leads the body to try to retain heat and preserve it, thus strengthening the digestive system. Ayurveda talks about digestive fire or Jatharagni that becomes increasingly strong during the winter, thus allowing for easy digestion of high-fat foods and dairy products. Other foods that can be consumed during winter are legumes such as kidney beans (rajma), black beans (Black lentils) and jaggery (gud), which is considered to increase the warmth in one’s body, and grains such as wheat and rice. Hot drinks, stews and soups, warm water and various teas – especially ginger tea – are also considered very beneficial.
Foods included in the Ayurvedic winter diet can be broadly classified into:
1. Good fats and natural oils:
The health of the digestive system is a large part responsible for the body’s immunity. Ayurveda recommends adding natural dairy products, fats and oils (sesame oil or mustard oil), A2 ghee to our diet in winter to retain heat and facilitate heat transfer. digestive system of the body. Winter can make our bodies sluggish due to heat loss and the only way to remedy that is to have a rich and warm diet that incorporates lots of good fats in it.
Also read: 9 benefits of Ghee you may not know
A2 ghee in our winter diet helps promote better digestion
2. Thoroughly Cooked Winter Vegetables:
Winter is a great time to enjoy hot broths, soups, stews, etc., simply prepared with delicious seasonal vegetables like carrots, beets, turnips and assorted vegetables. eat leaves like cabbage, cauliflower, etc. Should be cooked or eaten right in the meal. kept as far away as possible and as mentioned before, warm, well-cooked food is an absolute necessity in winter, to regulate vata dosha in our body.
Also read: Winter Diet: 7 Ways to Add Vegetables to Your Diet Without Attention to Winter
3. Dried fruit:
It’s no mystery why people from places known to experience record-breaking winter temperatures use dried fruit as a regular part of their diet. Dried fruits have countless health benefits – they help sharpen the mind and improve memory, plus they help keep you warm from the inside. Nuts and fruits like cashews, pistachios, dates, almonds, walnuts and the oils they secrete have amazing health benefits and keep your mind and body fresh during the season. winter.
Also read: Dried fruit benefits: From heart health to thyroid control
Author Biography: Dr. Partap Chauhan is an Ayurvedacharya and Director at Jiva Ayurveda.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of any information contained in this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not bear any similar liability.
