• ENG

Rujuta Diwekar shares health benefits of eating seasonal produce + list of winter foods in India

Rujuta Diwekar shares health benefits of eating seasonal produce + list of winter foods in India

Are you eating these winter fruits, vegetables, grains and pulses?

Written by Upneet Pansare |Updated : December 19, 2017 3:48 PM IST

Our bodies benefit immensely when we eat local produce or organic food. But what also helps is eating seasonal vegetables and fruits. Each season comes with its own bounty of produce meant for serving a specific purpose. For example, Vitamin C rich winter foods like oranges help in building immunity to protect our body against cold, flu, cough and other illnesses that are common during this time of the year. One of the best ways to ensure our body is getting local, organic produce that s fresh in season is to cultivate your fruits and vegetables yourself. Now, of course, this may not be possible for all of us. But, as celeb nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar says, farming puts us in touch with the cycle of nature - what grows when and when it is ready to be consumed. It teaches us that when we eat seasonal produce, we enable our bodies to access over 100,000 bioactive compounds, which in turn have a number of health benefits:

1) Seasonal foods boost our immunity and help ward off infections, allergies and intolerances which come with change in weather.

2) They ensure our joints are in good shape and prevent aches, pains and stiffness that come with age.

Also Read

More News

3) They help us gain lean body weight and look fit and healthy.

4) They improve our exercise performance and the after-burn effect and help with recovery.

Here, Rujuta lists some common Indian fruits, vegetables, grains and pulses that are in harvest in winter and that you must load up on during these cold months:

Winterfruits

Chikku (Sapota)

Ber (Indian Jujube/ Plum)

Papita (Papaya)

Narangi (Orange)

Mosambi (Sweetlime)

Angoor (Grapes)

Anar (Pomegranate)

Strawberries

Anjeer (Figs)

Aadoo (Peach)

Khoobani (Apricot)

Shahtoot (Mulberries)

Amrud (Guava)

Karmal (Starfruit)

Winter vegetables

Palak (Spinach)

Methi (Fenugreek)

Chukandar (Beetroot)

Surti kand (Yam)

Faras Bean (French beans)

Aloo (Potato)

Mooli (Radish)

Shakkar Kandi (Sweet Potato)

Tamaatar (Tomato)

Pyaaj (Onions)

Chauli (Amaranth)

Papdi (Flat beans)

Suran (Elephant foot)

Gaajar (Carrot)

Raakh Lauki (Ashgourd)

Phul Gobi (Cauliflower)

Pata Gobi (Cabbage)

Shepu (Dill)

Ambadi (Gongura)

Haraa Pyaaj (Spring onions)

Sarson (Mustard greens)

Mattar (Peas)

Bathuwa (Chakwat)

Naval Kol (Kohlrabi)

Winter grains

Bajra (Pearl Millet)

Gehun (Wheat)

Chaawal (Rice)

Makka (Corn)

Rajgira

Kuttu (Buckwheat)

Rajgira atta (Amaranth)

Singhara Atta (Water chestnut)

Winter pulses (Pulses can be stored and used throughout the year, across all seasons)

Chana Dal (Split Bengal Gram)

Kulith (Horse Gram)

Chole (Kabuli Chana)

Matar (Peas)

Urad (Split Black Gram)

Tuvar (Pigeon Peas)

Vaal (Fava)

Rajma (Red Kidney Beans)

Kala Vatana (Black Peas)

Bhatma (Soybean)

Chow-dhari (Goa Bean)

Read: Rujuta Diwekar says you must eat these winter foods to look healthy and beautiful.

Image source: Shutterstock