NEW DELHI: How to eat healthy in winters, as per Ayurveda

NEW DELHI: How to eat healthy in winters, as per Ayurveda

NEW DELHI: Winters make all of us a little lazy and vulnerable to
diseases. Exposure to the cold temperatures suppresses the immune system and
slows down our metabolism. The greatest challenge in this season is to keep
oneself active and healthy. The objectives that can only be achieved by
practising healthy eating and following healthy lifestyle habits.

As per New York-based Ayurvedic
practitioner, Nidhi Pandya, the cold weather shuts down our pores, contracting
the movement of fluid in the body. The fluids are responsible for carrying out
heat throughout the body and when the sweating mechanism is broken all the heat
is retained in the gut. That’s why winters are considered a great season to
train the digestive fire and give good nourishing foods. Here are some important
tips she shared to stay healthy and fit in this season.

Add more healthy fats like ghee,
mustard oil and coconut oil butter in your diet. Nidhi says that Fats are
absorbed by the deepest of the tissues, which helps to keep your skin
moisturised and prevent dryness. Besides, fats are required in winters for the
absorption of vitamins A, E, K and D. The deficiency of these vitamins,
particularly of vitamin D can lead to depression and may even impact your immunity.

Whole
grains

Whole-grains are good for health in
every season. It is packed with several essential nutrients and prevents us
from several kinds of health ailments. Grains like oats, barley, and maize
helps to keep you warm in the cold season. As per Ayurveda, the digestive fires
are too high in winters and eating whole-grains can train your body to break
complex carbs easily throughout the year.

Root
vegetables

Winters are a season of root
vegetables and adding them in your diet is a good option. These vegetables are
dense in nutrients like vitamins, iron, potassium, calcium, and iodine. They
keep you fuller and prevent overeating, which is a common problem in the cold
season. It also helps to maintain your blood sugar levels and reduces the risk
of diabetes. Eat more carrot, sweet potatoes, beetroots and pumpkin.

​Spices

Spices not only add aroma and taste
to your food but also helps to keep you warmer. Besides, spices are also
psychologically comforting and help to lift your mood in the grey season. They
can control blood sugar, enhance circulation and promote good digestive health.

​Avoid
cold foods

Any
cold or raw food items must be avoided in this season. Cold juices, smoothies,
coffee and raw foods can make your body stagnant. Instead, drink warm soup,
herbal tea and spiced turmeric milk.

Exercise

Regular exercising is important in
all the seasons be it summer or winter. It helps to burn extra calories, keep
you active, strengthen your bones and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

​Abhyanga
or massaging

Abhyanga
is referred to massage your body with warm oil. Applying oil on your body
before exercising and shower every day in winters can keep you warm and your
skin healthy. The oil penetrates deep in the tissues and keeps your skin
moisturised.

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