Foods to keep you warm this winter!

As the weather gets colder and we head deeper into winter, eating foods that will help keep you warm will make an enormous difference in your ability to stay toasty this winter!

It is all well and good to layer up our clothes and pile on socks and blankets in a bid to stave off the wintry weather, but our body starts craving foods that will help keep us warm and having fewer daylight hours can play a significant role in our cravings!

To keep warm it is better to eat foods that take the body longer to digest as the body’s temperature rises during metabolism, helping you to stay warmer for longer!

In a bid to stave off the chilly weather I have chosen 5 of my favourite foods to help keep you warm this winter.

1. Ginger

Fresh or ground there is no denying the ability of ginger to help keep you warm! It is a wonderful spice as it not only enhances thermogenesis it also boosts your digestive and immune systems and is said to encourage blood flow.

Ginger is very versatile and can be added to soups, stews, curries teas and my personal favourite – stir fry’s.

2. Whole grains

Whole grains such as oats, brown rice, barley etc. are a superb source of B vitamins and magnesium. These nutrients are important to thyroid function and your adrenal glands which help to regulate body temperature!

Whole grains and complex carbs take much longer to break down than normal foods making your digestive system work much harder, this in turn increases blood flow and body heat.

Start your day with porridge and give your body the energy and fuel it needs to keep warm – hey – even grate some fresh ginger on it!

3. Hot drinks

Obvious I know but there is nothing I like better than a hot drink, as if holding the steaming mug and getting instant warmth through my fingers wasn’t enough, drinking hot drinks gives you instant internal warmth.

For all you coffee drinkers, if you prefer your coffee iced, studies have shown that it is not the boiling water in coffee which warms you up but in fact the caffeine.

Caffeine encourages the release of fatty acids which can raise body temperature!

4. Fats

Eating healthy fats such as avocados, fish and coconut oil generate internal heat, as they are stored in your fat reserves and broken down to generate energy which warms the body and helps it to function properly when the temperature dips!

Eating coconut oil is especially good for you but have you ever thought of using it as a moisturizer?

Dry, cracked skin lets heat escape more easily and is more sensitive to cold!

5. Lean red meat

Lean red meat such as lamb, pork and beef are a useful source of iron. Iron is an important mineral which helps carry oxygen around the body. If you have low iron, you may notice that you feel very tired and suffer with cold feet and hands.

Red meat also contains vitamin B12, which helps to keep nerves healthy and encourages a strong immune system.

So, if you are a non-vegetarian, add lean red meat to soups and stews to keep those hands and feet nice and toasty!

If you would like some further information or to speak to a member of our team please call us on: Hitchin 01462 420077 or Luton 01582 579687, alternatively e-mail us at: hitchin@healesclinics.com or luton@healesclinics.com