Dietary habits in winter

In cold season it is necessary to pay close attention to your own diet, because the rational, well-balanced and proper nutrition is the most effective and simple preventive method of cold-related diseases. Remember that cold is a kind of body stress, leading to vasospasm, reduced production of gastric juice, bile and pancreatic juice, slow metabolism, and weaken immunity. In addition, in winter we spend much more energy on heating ourselves, so food should be more fattening than in summer.

We offer you some nutrition tips for better organism adaptation in winter.

1. Pay attention to the amount of protein consumed throughout the day; if it is not enough, you need to enrich your diet with food rich in this most powerful immune food material. These are products such as fish, meat, poultry, eggs and cheese. If you are vegetarian, then eat nuts (almonds, pistachios), various seeds, beans, peas, lentils, broccoli, soy products, and tofu.
2. The second important point is the amount of water consumed in your diet. The role and importance of water for the organism cannot be overestimated, and its amount should not be reduced in any way, despite the fact that a person rarely feels thirsty in winter. Water is necessary for the timely removal of toxins and slags. Moreover, it is necessary to drink “pure” water (not tea, compote or soft drinks). Such water “does not work” in your organism. In winter it is necessary to drink up to 1.5 litres per day (in summer – up to 2 litres). By the way, remember that drinking water during the meal is not recommended, thus you dilute hydrochloric acid and digestive juices, so the process of food digestion will take a long time.
3. It is impossible to create a winter menu without cottage cheese and dairy products rich in calcium. They contribute to the reduction of vascular permeability and have an anti-inflammatory effect.
4. It is necessary to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables. In winter, the most available of them are apples, lemons, oranges, tangerines, kiwi, sea buckthorn, rosehip, onion and garlic. Fruits can also be consumed in the form of fruit drinks or compotes, and vegetables – in the form of salads (salad with sauerkraut, onion). We recommend you also to prepare dried fruits in advance. All these products are rich in vitamins, microelements, organic acids and are natural antioxidants. Pay attention to such product as ginger; the benefits of ginger tea in winter are already quite well known. In addition, the consuming of dried fruits, ground into a single mass in equal proportions (dried apricots, raisins and prunes) helps to activate the gastrointestinal tract in cold season.
5. Use hot, burning spices while cooking to speed up the metabolism (contraindications – stomach diseases, peptic ulcer). Also add honey and lemon juice.
6. The food should be consumed preferably hot – the temperature of food served should be 40-50 degrees.

Drink hot tea and warm water with lemon. These drinks warm the organism from inside.

Following these simple tips, you will feel more comfortable in the winter, strengthen your body and be able to withstand colds.