Winter Diet Foods To Stay Healthy This Season By Rujuta Diwekar

With the advent of colder winter weather comes coughs, colds and the flu season that can spoil all the fun associated with this season. And some of us also faces the problem of winter weight gain! So, what do you do to avoid all these problems and to keep yourself well nourished? Do you rely on various fad diets that are currently trending with the fancy names? Well, I would say, there is no need to follow these fancy diets. You can still stay on top of your diet just by eating some simple winter diet foods that can easily be found in your kitchen.

To guide you more on this, India’s celebrity nutritionist and Kareena Kapoor Khan‘s dietician, Rujuta Diwekar has shared a quick list of some seasonal grains, veggies and other winter diet foods. These food items will traditionally help the transition of the body into the winters and bolster your immunity this season!

ALSO READ: Ghee Benefits- 8 Reasons To Eat Ghee Everyday In Your Diet

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The joy of eating desi – Every region has its own tradition of celebrating its seasonal produce using timeless, heritage recipes. And i strongly believe that one should follow a diet that respects that versus that which makes you feel like you have “cheated” if you eat a seasonal delicacy. Changing the roti, sabzi and the accompaniments as the season changes, is something that we must cherish. Nutrition societies across the globe are trying to adopt this practice from ancient cultures. And on our part, we must ensure that this timeless practice is not forgotten and lost in the process of eating only meat or only soup-salad or not eating at all. Health is not a size, it’s a state. A state of harmony, in the mind and body and between people and planet. And really, all you need to do for that is to keep calm and eat makhan-roti-saag. P.S- – Makhan-roti-saag coz right now #kareenakapoorkhan is in Punjab. – This is for dinner. The Makhan, saag and roti and the quantities in the picture do NOT depict how much she eats. The pic is taken after most of it is in her stomach. Eat as per your hunger, not as per a fixed measure. – Mein apni favourite hu is not just a dialogue, it’s a way of life that encourages you to eat all that is nice. #winterfood #saag #punjab

A post shared by Rujuta Diwekar (@rujuta.diwekar) on Nov 10, 2019 at 10:32pm PST

Winter Diet Foods

Bajra –  Millet is one of the best winter diet foods that are rich in minerals and fibre, helps prevent joint aches. It is best enjoyed with ghee or makhan .

Makai – Another nutritious millet that goes well with all the local greens of the seasons, and all things saag.

Jaggery and Ghee – A combination that helps clear sinuses and prevents cold. Eat post lunch and dinner and it goes well with Bajra Rotis as well.

Kulith – Horsegram, a pulse that not just prevents kidney stones but helps the skin and scalp stay better hydrated and nourished in the winter. Have a dal with rice and ghee. Parts of Uttarakhand even make kulath paratha, where the pulse is used as stuffing instead of potatoes. Especially useful when winters are harsh.

Butter and Ghee – Load up on these, will ensure that digestion stays smooth and that you can assimilate all the fat-soluble vitamins including Vitamin D.

Til – The seed can be used as seasoning, oil or turned into a gajak or chiki. It is healthy for eyes, skin and bones.

ALSO READ: Gajak Benefits: Reasons To Eat This Healthy Winter Sweet

As far as taking care for skin and hair during winters is concerned, Rujuta again directs us to the basic ingredients found in the Indian pantry. “Mustard oil for the scalp with a few methi dana soaked in is a traditional winter ritual that every Himachal-native will swear by and it works beautifully even in places like Mumbai if you can bear the smell. All the greens of the season, the pinni laddoos, chyawanprash, amla and bel sherbets do wonders for the skin and hair.”

*Excerpts taken from one of Rujuta Diwekar’s interview to ‘Cosmopolitan.’