Winter superfoods can be prepared at home to provide sufficient amounts of vitamins, minerals, and macro-nutrients to the body to fight the common health problems linked to the cold weather conditions.
8 Homemade Superfoods to Beat Winter Chills
1. Orange-Carrot-Ginger Juice
Fresh fruit-vegetable juice using oranges, carrots, and ginger is an excellent winter superfood that can be easily prepared at home. Oranges are a storehouse of antioxidants that can fight free radicals, while carrots are loaded with Vitamin A and Vitamin C which enable the elimination of excess mucus from the body, and ginger can strengthen the immune system.
2. Beetroot Juice
Beetroot juice can prevent the potential onslaught of illnesses in winters. Beetroot contains several essential nutrients – like Vitamin C, potassium, folate, and iron – which can boost immunity and also support nerve and muscle function. It also contains powerful antioxidants called ‘betalains’ which have proven anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting properties.
3. Baked Sweet Potatoes
Baked sweet potatoes should be eaten a few times a week, during winters. Sweet potatoes have the ability to fight off free radicals, boost immunity, enhance liver health, and protect the heart.
4. Vegan Vegetable Broth
For preparing the broth, vegetables like carrots, mushrooms, celery, onions, etc, can be used. The health benefits of the vegetables can further be enhanced by adding seasoning like black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne which are known for their immunity-boosting properties.
5. Green Peas Smoothie
The use of green peas in a smoothie provides the body with sufficient amounts of protein to strengthen its defense mechanism against diseases. Green peas have a sweet flavor and are easy to digest. They are also abundant in amino acids and fibe.
6. Bajra/Makai Rotis
Bajra is a rich source of magnesium, minerals, potassium, and fibre, while Makai (corn) contains nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, beta-carotene and selenium. Eating rotis made from bajra or makai flour is a more health-friendly option in winters as compared to rotis prepared from wheat flour.
7. Jaggery and Ghee
The jaggery-ghee combination can also relieve most of the illnesses associated with winters. The intake of the jaggery-ghee mixture after meals can provide warmth to the body, improve immunity, clear sinuses, support the digestive process, and keep body temperature under control.
8. French Onion Soup
This amazing superfood combines the benefits of three important ingredients – onion, ginger, and garlic – which are well-known for their ability to fight illnesses during winters. These three ingredients make a healthy soup, to which shredded cheese can be added for enhanced taste. This soup can clear out mucus, relieve congestion, fight allergies, reduce inflammation, and shorten the duration of winter illnesses.
Conclusion
Homemade superfoods involve the use of a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, and other healthy fats that can provide healing benefits to the body in winters. These nutritious, immunity-boosting homemade superfoods prepare the body to fight diseases and helps overcome illnesses in a natural way.