By Heather Nicholds
Foods that keep you warm will make a huge difference in your ability to stay cozy through the winter. Bundling up in sweaters and thick socks doesn’t always cut it.
Some people are more sensitive to temperature than others. I am one of those people. It often has to do with the quality of your blood circulation. I have consistently low blood pressure, so I get hot and cold fairly easily.
Through the winter, I have to make sure I dress with enough layers to keep warm. I also use certain foods that keep you warm to boost my temperature – and energy – levels.
6: Hot Drinks
It might seem a little too simple, but you can sometimes overlook the obvious answers. Holding the mug is warming enough, but the hot liquid into your system gives you instant internal warmth. Tea, apple cider or hot carob/cocoa are my favorites.
5: Soups And Stews
When the temperature dips, it’s time to shift from salads to soups. It’s still a good idea to get some raw foods, but have them in the afternoon when your body is at its warmest.
In the evening, a hearty soup or stew with lots of well-cooked root vegetables and spices will warm you up right to your frozen toes.
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4: Whole Grains
Eaten hot, whole grains (brown rice, quinoa, oats, barley, buckwheat, millet, etc) give you instant warmth along with complex carbohydrates to give your body the energy and fuel it needs to keep warm.
Whole grains are also a good source of B vitamins and magnesium, and have some selenium as well. These nutrients are important to the function of your thyroid and adrenal glands. The glands help regulate body temperature, and tend to slow down in colder weather.
For people with severely underactive thyroid function, taking a high-quality iodine supplement can make a dramatic difference in body temperature. Before taking an individual supplement like that though, you should do a consultation with a nutritionist or naturopathic doctor. Iodine in particular can cause problems if you take too much.
3: Cinnamon
Cinnamon, and other spices, boost your metabolism which generates body heat. Include more spices in your meals, even just a little bit sprinkled on top. Cumin, coriander, turmeric, cloves, paprika, pepper, nutmeg and allspice are other good ones to incorporate as well.
Just make sure you don’t get things too spicy. The hottest spices – like cayenne – will make you sweat and actually release heat from your body. That’s why they eat the spiciest foods in the hottest climates.
2: Coconut Oil
Fats in general can help keep you warm as they metabolize, and aside from eating it, coconut oil is also really useful as a moisturizer. Dry, cracked skin lets heat escape more easily and is more sensitive to cold – especially when it’s windy.
If you keep your skin healthy and strong, it’ll be better at keeping the heat in. Before heading out into the cold, try rubbing some coconut oil on your legs, arms and face. You only need a little bit, and I tend to wipe my face lightly with a towel to get the excess oil off.
1: Ginger
Fresh or ground ginger is my favorite food to warm you up. Try using it in porridge, salad dressings, soups, cookies or muffins. One of my favorite ways to enjoy ginger is to put thin slices or grate some of the fresh root into a mug of hot water.
Not only does it help warm you up, but it boosts your digestive and immune systems to keep you nourished and strong in the face of winter bugs.
Have any used any of these foods that keep you warm this winter? Let me know below.
