3 Foods to Brighten Your Winter

We are in the midst of winter. While you may not feel like a ray of sunshine, taking advantage of winter-friendly foods can help you resist the urge to hibernate. Although this isn’t the most abundant season for fresh produce, mother nature has our backs with some cold-weather allies. Keep your mood warm & bright in the chilly air with these winter wellness foods!

 

Pomegranate juice contains more antioxidants than blueberries, green tea, or red wine! This fruit is also a natural skin defender. The breakdown of collagen in our cells can create wrinkle formation. The phytochemical ellagic acid found in pomegranates disrupts this process. (If buying pre-squeezed juice, just be wary of added sugar!)

 

Peeling an orange may boost your mood! Their fragrant oils are known to be mood-lifting, so it’s like a natural form of aromatherapy. Oranges also contain pectin fiber that helps the body detox and can aid in weight loss.

 

Most veggies with an orange color are excellent sources of vitamin A, and sweet potatoes are no exception. You’ll exceed your daily vitamin A needs with just 1 cup, which is great because it helps regenerate collagen and keeps the immune system healthy.

 

These are just 3 of our favorite winter foods. Still, there are endless options to fit on your plate – like grapefruit, fennel, cauliflower, kiwis, and bananas, to name a few. 

 

Low temperatures may cause blood vessels and arteries to narrow, so the body needs to work harder than usual to circulate blood and oxygen when it’s cold out. This is where warming foods and spices come in handy! Amp the benefits of your nourishing foods with warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, nutmeg, garlic, and mustard. These will help your body absorb the most nutrients from your fruits & veggies and keep digestion strong. Make sure to get plenty of healthy fats like avocados, nuts, chia seeds, and olive oil. Fat helps control blood sugar and hydrates the body from the inside out.