When I think of eating seasonally in the winter, we think of potatoes, beets and a lot of soup. But what is truly eating during winter when our bodies crave a slower rhythm and richer foods that provide warmth and nourishment?
During winter, the body craves for denser foods. Vegetables that takes time to grow, and in which the edible part grows beneath the surface of the ground is usually warming and good to eat in winter. Dry fruits like dates, nuts and oilseeds (sesame seeds) are also warming. That's why find out how to eat and live seasonally, specially during winter is so important.
How to Eat Seasonally during Winter?
Unlike eating seasonally in spring, summer, and even fall, when things are grown fresh, depending on where you are, winter is for eating what has been preserved during the growing months. Our ancestors began their winter season during summer putting up root crops like potatoes, carrots, beets as well as meat, grains, and canned produce to get them through the winter. The question is: what flavours do you want to preserve in the peak of their abundance to enjoy in the bleak of winter? You can freeze, ferment, dehydrate. And understanding what's best to fuel your body during winter will make all the difference.
We know that fresh is usually better, but this only goes for when the produce is in season. Fresh foods like berries, tomatoes, corn, and cucumbers that you see in the grocery stores in the middle of winter should be avoided. Instead, opt for the food you have preserved yourself or frozen and canned veggies from trustworthy brands because they were harvested and preserved at the peak of their season conserving their natural nutrients.
Foods to Keep us Warm in Winter
More than significant changes you witness in energy bills and how you dress during winter, the weather also affects your body, food preference, metabolism, and even energy levels change drastically during this season. That's why eating foods that keeps us warm is key.
The most warming vegetables that are good for your body are root vegetables like carrot, potato, onions, garlic, radish, yams, sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, and hearty winter greens like broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, spinach, etc.
Carrots: rich in beta-carotene that is an excellent source of vitamin A and a powerful anti-oxidant.
White radish, onion and garlic: powerful source of isothiocyanates and indoles, phytochemicals that help prevent cancer.
Potatoes and yams: help providing that much-needed energy.
Leafy greens: also a good source of beta-carotene and Vitamin C - both powerful antioxidants that help fight disease and build immunity.
Whole Grain Cereals And Pulses: high energy and protein foods provide the required fuel to combat the cold. In India, for example, they make 'sheera' (based on whole-wheat flour, moong-dal and spices), in Germany, porridge is king, and so on.
Dates: are warm in nature and are highly recommended in the winter months. Not only are they a good source of fibre, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamins (C and B3), they are also a good source of energy.
Eating seasonally is not something to seek perfection on or even deprive ourselves of things we love. It's about bringing back the rhythm of your life, instead of avoiding, restricting or eliminating certain foods. Start by focusing on what’s in season in winter, purchase those things, base your meals around them, and then fill in the gaps from there. You’ll do great!
Get your printable Seasonally Calendar for Winter below!
From now on, winter doesn’t have to look dull anymore. And for recipe ideas, where to eat and how to stock your pantry, get your "Easy Plant-Based Cuisine" copy on Amazon today.
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