7 Winter Foods You Should Eat More Of

Producer: Priyanka Das Editor: Manuj Yadav

The winter season can be quite harsh on your health.

Naturally then, your immune system needs to be strengthened so that you can fight off everything from the seasonal flu and infections to the effects of cold winds from the inside out.

The following are seven winter foods you need to definitely add to your diet to give your immune system the boost it needs.

Bajra: Bajra is a type of millet found abundantly in India during winters and it’s packed with dietary fiber, healthy fatty acids, plant proteins, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Beetroot: Beetroot is a root vegetable with a vibrant colour and sweetish taste. More importantly, it has high concentrations of dietary fiber, protein, natural sugar, vitamin C, vitamin B9, iron, potassium and manganese. Beetroot also has high levels of antioxidants.

Bell peppers: You need the goodness of bell peppers because this vegetable from the chilli family is packed with vitamins A, E, C, B6 and K1. If that isn’t enough then consider the list of minerals and antioxidants bell peppers have: potassium, folate, fiber, capsanthin, lutein, quercetin and luteolin.

Broccoli: Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are packed with fiber, plant proteins, vitamin C, vitamin K1, iron, potassium, manganese, carotenoids and quercetin. Eating plenty of broccoli can not only boost your immune system but also improve blood circulation and cholesterol levels.

Ghee: According to Ayurveda, ghee (ghrita) is considered to be one of the elixirs of life. Not only does eating ghee reduce inflammation but it also boosts digestion, memory and your immune system.

Sweet potatoes:  Sweet potatoes contain plant proteins, carbs, fiber, pro-vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B5, vitamin B6 and vitamin E. They also contain minerals and antioxidants like potassium, manganese, beta-carotene and anthocyanins.

Walnuts: Walnuts are packed with fatty acids like omega-6 and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which can help keep your body warm. They also pack quite a punch of protein, vitamins E and B6, copper, phosphorus, manganese, catechin, phytic acid and melatonin.