Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated : November 8, 2017 5:18 PM IST
Winters have arrived & with this cold & flu season, let s keep our immune strong and healthy. One reason that winter is a good season for building immunity is that the digestion is stronger in cold weather. Winter is the season when nature is ready to nurture us and due to the digestive level being very high, people feel hungrier, and can actually digest food better in winter, thus nourishing their bodies more. Neha Shetty, Technical head, Nutrition, REDUCE, Talwalkar s shares few diet tips for winter to stay healthy and warm.
1. Immune-boosting foods include those that are fresh, warm, organic, easy to digest, pure and wholesome. These include fresh, organic milk and yogurt, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and ghee (clarified butter). Foods that are hard to digest should be avoided if you want to increase your immunity. "Commercially-processed foods, as well as canned, frozen, and packaged foods are old and difficult to digest, so they weaken immunity." Here are 7 immunity-boosting foods to fight infections this winter.
2. Drink plenty of water. Drinking water early in the morning helps cleanse the system & improve our digestion. Squeeze a lemon to get the benefit of Vitamin C. Do add spices & herbs like ginger, black pepper, turmeric, coriander as they help a lot in improving digestion & building immunity.
3. Limit but don t stop the intake of fatty foods, rather consume high fiber & protein foods. Fiber not only adds bulk but also nourishes with good bacteria. And studies show that having that one tablespoon of ghee every day can help you achieve its many benefits like good skin, lean body and warmth during cold winter mornings! Also read top 10 winter hygiene tips.
Lifestyle also impacts immunity. Staying up late, working at night, eating at irregular times, late night binging, exposing the body to stress and fatigue, and sleeping during the day can all affect the digestion and body rhythms and thus compromise the immune system. In winter, when the days are shorter and the nights are longer, it's natural for the body to crave more rest. Try going to bed a little earlier, and you will wake up with more vitality and freshness. Get adequate exposure to sunlight as well. Here is what happens to your body during winter!
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