Come winter and you blame the cold for body ache joint pains and the sniffles. Research, however, proves that it is not the temperature, but the germs spread during winter that causes it and foods that are not suitable. To prevent this, build your immunity then additions to the diet is the best tool.
Luckily, nature takes care of this and produces foods that are needed to boost your immunity during the winter. Melons and mangoes don’t grow naturally in winter or strawberries in summer and if they are available for some reason than don’t have them
Ancient Indian medicine believes there are cooling foods and warming foods, which change according to seasons, therefore the diet changes with the change of season. Immune-boosting produce is what you need. Enhance your immunity with antioxidants, beta-carotene, lycopene, Vitamin E, selenium, vitamin C, fibre, natural fat, natural sugar and photochemicals. Winter foods are packed with the above and plenty more. Leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower; gobi paratha, gobi mutter, gobi aur sargam ka aachar… or even radishes… Quite a staple during winter!
Garlic
Prevents joint pain decongests Sinuses .Its very soothing to add in soups and chutneys during winter. It has a long healing history throughout many cultures. Anti- viral, anti-bacterial, it promotes the growth of your white blood cells...
Spices such as ginger, turmeric, garlic, cardamom, cloves, saffron, chilies, oregano ( ajwain ).
Fresh Ginger or dried Ginger (soonth)- The warming effect of ginger makes it a natural decongestant, making it the best remedy for cold. No wonder, your grandma asks you to drink ginger tea when you are down with cold. It can even cure disorders of circulatory and respiratory systems, allergies, heart problems, high cholesterol and sexual
deficiencies. Ginger reduces joint pain, fever, helps improves nausea, controls spasms of intestinal. Ginger stimulates digestive enzymes. Its helps digest proteins. Add it in your teas vegetable juices herbal infusions Traditional winter sweets and pickles have a fair amount of ginger in it....
Fruits that are high in vitamin C ands antioxidents are winter staples – oranges, awala, grapes, strawberries and guavas . The natural sugar of grapes keeps the sweet cravings away, low-fat quick energy prevents sluggishness. Strawberries have twice the amount of Vitamin C than oranges and Guavas six time more and the Indian Gooseberry (awala)even higher preventing respiratory disorders. Unlike other antioxidants that defend only cell membranes Vitamin C patrols the watery areas of the body; the blood stream or the cell interiors....
Grains –Brings in bajra (millet), makkai (maize). Bajra and makkai generates heat and keeps the body warmer by taking up the metabolic rate. Bajra and maize, popular winter cereals, rich in iron and fibre.
Carrots – they have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times .In winter it is beneficial drink a carrot juice , it prevents Chronic chest infections bronchiole as well as asthma....
Fat is an absolute must it regulates body temperatures add good fats to your diet In form of walnuts almonds Pistachios ,sesame seeds and Cows ghee. Coconut oil is has been used in India’s Ayurvedic medicine for over 4,000 years. Regular application of extra virgin coconut oil is the best moisturizer, prevents dry skin. Oil which is beneficial during winter is mustard oil, which has a warming effect. Rub it on your chest, prevents one catching a chill.
Another source of natural sugar is dry fruits. Dates and apricots always help during the winter to keep your sugar cravings at bay......
Jaggery Add it in hot beverages instead of sugar may it be tea coffee or herbal infusions or lemon water. It contains minerals and vitamins which boost your immunity compared to white sugar which is empty in calories and soothes the throat . Ukala or Kada is a popular drink in winter in India sweetened with Jaggery, half milk half water, ginger powder and green tea leaves boiled in slow flame strained and consumed hot....
KADHA
Ingredients:
1 half inch pc cinnamon
2 pc cardamom
2 pc cloves
1 tsp organic honey
1 strand of saffron
1 glass water
Method:
Take water. Add all the ingredients. Boil well for 4-5 mins. Serve hot
Saffron –Excellent for chronic coughs used to flavor vegetables, rice, curries, and sweets. Winter chills don’t leave you? Curl up with a warm drink. Create a sweet, warm honey infusion with ginger, saffron and cinnamon and snuggle up with a book. You will be consuming 22 amino acids, 28 minerals and 11 enzymes; Voila! your natural cure for coughs and colds. An ingredient of the Kashmiri teas like Khawa....
Leafy Greens - Spinach, fenugreek, mustard greens natures’ boon to mankind. A rich source of calcium, iron and vitamin C. In winter Have it as a vegetable soup toss in salads rice gravies and lentils Fenugreek is put into flour to make rotis and parathas , also sweets are made prepared with jaggery and Ghee. Protects against sore throat, asthma and respiratory infections...
Ganthoda- It is very popular in Gujarat and Rajasthan during the winter months.Regular consumption of ganthoda helps relieve muscular pain very common when the temperature falls. Its heat producing properties reduces problems of the respiratory tract....
Vegetable –Carrots, radish, cauliflower, brinjals, sweet potatoes, yams are available in abundance as the temperature cools . Sweet potatoes are always available in plenty in winter; roasted, baked, or steamed; and are packed with beta carotene, antioxidants and antidepressants. High in antioxidant, it provides the little soldiers that protect our body from free radical damage and weaken the immune system. As the temperature drops, carrots turn redder, and thus the immunity booster – beta carotene increases.
Spices-Cloves, cardamom, oregano used for flavoring in food. Excellent for making Khadhas – traditional beverages, which are very warming in the body during winter.
Turmeric - very important spice known for its healing properties is anti-inflammatory as well as a blood purifier. Dried and cut it is made into pickles marinated in lemon juice and salt , mixed with awala for juices, dried and powdered and used in curries and vegetables
Gooseberry (Awala) –An valuable ingredients of various alternative medicines in India Ayurveda Unani Advantageous to take a juice of daily increase vigor and immunity .
Fresh awala blended with turmeric or added to your carrot juice . The vitamin C increases more when the juice is extracted. The dried berry provides 1780 to 2660 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams.
CHIKKI
INGREDIENTS
1 cup crushed peanuts, roasted and ground
¾ cup jaggery
½ tsp ghee
METHOD-
Add ghee in a pan and heat. Add jaggery and let it turn light brown. Add the ground peanuts immediately and roll into chikki. Store it in an airtight container.
KHAJUR PAK
INGREDIENTS
1 cup Khajur (dates- red or black) finely chopped
½ cup mixture of nuts (pistachios and almonds).
METHOD
Cook dates in a pre-heated vessel until it becomes a pulp. Add the dry fruits to the mixture. Cool and cut it into pieces and serve....
TURMERIC BREW
Ingredients
1 Glass hot water
½ tsp organic haldi powder
¼ tsp jaggery powder
¼ tsp cows ghee
Method:
Take water. Add all the ingredients. Boil well for 2 - 3 mins and Serve hot.
So, for good health and better immunity, remember that nature has its reasons, so eat according to the seasons...
Thanks for sharing these foods for immunity boosting.You can also take herbal dietary supplements for immunity along with health food to boost immunity. This is also safe and effective supplements.
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