5 Foods You Should Eat This Winter

Chilly winter weather affects more than just your wardrobe and heating bill. Your body also experiences changes in energy levels, metabolism and even food preferences.

Do you react to bitter cold by skipping the gym and convincing yourself you deserve a calorie splurge to warm up and offset your discomfort? You’re not alone.

But the cold truth is, no weather warrants unhealthy eating habits. Just as you shouldn’t overdo ice cream during the dog days of summer, you shouldn’t live on a steady diet of hot chocolate and warm cookies during winter (no matter how tempting it sounds).

We asked some experts how to adjust our mindsets and palates for the winter.

“Winterizing your diet can be healthy — and tasty — if you add a few favorite cold-weather foods,” says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, LD.

Healthy foods to eat during winter

Not only are the following food options healthy, but did you know they can also boost your mood? Psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD, adds in her vitamin D-rich favorites, to Czerwony’s recommendations, below.

Root vegetables

Local produce can be hard to find when cold weather hits. But root vegetables like beets, carrots and turnips can withstand the cold, so local farmers can provide fresh produce — and you can reap the benefits. Roast carrots for a boost of beta-carotene, or boil turnips for vitamins C and A.

Vitamin D-rich foods

“Vitamin D-rich foods are the number one food item to consider adding to your menu during the winter months. People who have more emotional eating during the fall are shown to have lower levels of vitamin D, which is associated with more anxiety and depression,” Dr. Albers explains.

She says a great source of vitamin D is shitake mushrooms. Other good options include salmon, egg yolks, fortified cereals, milk and red meat.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is much more than just a convenient breakfast food; it also provides nutrients that are essential during the winter. Oatmeal can be changed up by adding warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg without adding calories, fat, sugar or salt. And oatmeal is high in zinc (important for proper immune function) and soluble fiber (associated with heart health). Although instant oatmeal is more convenient, it’s a bit more expensive. To eat healthy on a budget, go with old-fashioned oats.

Soup

Soup is winter’s perfect food — as long as you hold the cream, salt and beef. Look for soup recipes that call for chicken broth, vegetable broth or water as the base and include a lot of vegetables. Adding canned or dried beans or lentils to your soup adds fat-free protein, as well as much needed fiber. Protein and fiber both curb your appetite by slowing down digestion and controlling blood sugars, which can help with controlling hunger and bolstering mood. Pair your soup with a side of 100% whole-grain crackers for a dose of grains, too.

Mood-boosting snacks

Cravings and emotional eating are also common this time of year. Try avoiding grabbing those sugary and processed snacks, which can drag down your mood over time. Instead, Dr. Albers recommends sweet potatoes, beets and walnuts. Spicy roasted chickpeas are another alternative.

Immune-boosting choices

Dr. Albers says what you eat can not only impact your mood and sleep, but also your immune system.

“One of the best things you can do to help your immune system and boost your mood is add foods that are high in vitamin C. These are foods like citrus fruits, oranges, mangoes, lemons, kiwis, but they are also found in broccoli, bell peppers and strawberries,” she advises.

Spicy tuna roll

For a surprising alternative to typical comfort foods — often loaded with fat and sugar — try sushi. Choose rolls lined with tuna or salmon. Both are good sources of vitamin D. During the winter months, when you have limited exposure to the sun, food sources of the bone-healthy vitamin become even more essential. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with impaired growth, weakening of your bones and even risk of heart disease.

Broccoli and cauliflower

Aside from getting the flu shot and washing your hands regularly, these cruciferous vegetables may be your top defense against winter illness. Broccoli and cauliflower are both high in vitamin C, which is associated with enhanced immune function. If you can’t find fresh versions, don’t fret — frozen broccoli and cauliflower are just as nutritious.

Why eating healthy in winter matters

Czerwony and Dr. Albers both agree that mindful, healthy eating choices are helpful to a stress-free lifestyle. If you’re feeling overwhelmed about overhauling your whole diet, take it one step at a time, or substitute one snack at a time. And remember, seasons change!