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Ideal Food During Winter

In these really cold days, it is good to know which foods contribute to warming the body and feel the heat. Some food should be included in the daily menu, but some should be avoided because they cool the body.

According to Chinese diet and macrobiotics, during winter it would be desirable to use more root vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, onions and garlic, as well as corn. Buckwheat is great for winter because it warms the body, so the traditional buckwheat porridge breakfast in welcomed in cold countries like Russia.
All foods of animal origin, including meat and eggs are among the group of foods that heat the body. Vegetarians can alternatively use the high-protein soy products – tofu and tempeh, as well as an extremely powerful energy-product of wheat proteins, seitan.

There are ingredients are known to have a thermogenic effect, that is, to increase the feeling of heat in the body. Here are a few of them, that would certainly be included in winter meals.

Coconut oil
It consists of medium-chain acids that are known to have a thermogenic effect (heat). In addition, those fatty acids go from the intestine directly to the liver where are converted into energy, rather than circulating in the form of particles of fat in the bloodstream, as is the case with most dietary fats. Coconut oil usually has a number of beneficial effects on the body.

Almonds
Almonds are an excellent source of high quality fatty acids, which help regulate cholesterol. Also, almonds are one of the richest natural sources of magnesium (contributing to the spread of blood vessels, and thus improving blood flow). Just do not overdo it! Nutritionists say that 30 grams per day is more than enough.

Garlic
Not only heats, but also helps to lower your cholesterol. Also, it contains a natural antibiotic (allicin), and is a perfect food to be consumed daily in the winter! Approximately two cloves per day would be the recommended dose.

Chili pepper
The main ingredient, that gives pepper the hot taste – capsaicin, also heats body. And not only that: some studies have shown that capsaicin has a protective effect on the heart.

Pepper and Ginger
Add ground pepper and ginger powder in hot soup! Thus seasoned, it heats you even more. Pepper and ginger accelerate and improve the circulation, leading to expansion of capillaries, and thus heats the body. Moreover, both of these spices help dilute and eject mucus from the body, which is very useful in winter.