Know your winter foods

Cooler months are lazy months, but be discerning when you choose what you eat

Winter is a season when people love to binge on spicy and fried foods with a gallop of fats and they get digested easily. One tends to feel hungrier and crave for such food. But should we over-eat or eat the wrong food?
There are some foods that should be eaten only in moderation during these cold months. Let's take a look at them.
Asparagus:  This vegetable is best available during spring time. Do not compromise on the quality of your greens, go for seasonal veggies to enjoy maximum nutritional benefits and authentic taste. Try adding fresh kale and Brussels sprouts to your diet.
Hot chocolate: This beverage, served with a heap of cream and chocolate chips on the top, is the most sought-after among kids. But remember, this drink is made super tasty by adding three times the sugar and cream we would add to a homemade chocolate milk. It adds at least 200k cal to the diet. So, let the kids enjoy homemade chocolate flavoured hot milk or saffron almond milk.
Canned food: Winter months are relatively lazy months, and many a time we opt for packet soups and noodles/pasta instead of making them from scratch. But don't forget that these ready-to-eat snacks are high in sodium, saturated fats and artificial flavours, which are not good. Such packed foods can lead to stomach upsets, water retention and weight gain. And consuming them in the long term can lead to gastroenteritis and hypertension.
Yoghurt and bananas: Winters are known for the cold breeze making the young and the old more susceptible to cold, flu and cough. Strawberries and bananas contain histamine, and an increase in its levels in the body can lead to  an increase in mucus production which, in turn, can result in stuffy nose. And yoghurt causes mucus to thicken, especially for someone suffering from cold. So, reduce the intake of such foods; instead binge on pomegranate, apples, grapefruit and kiwis.
Sour Juices:  Avoid cold and sour juices or smoothies as they contain acid, which can irritate the throat and aggravate cough. These drinks can also cause acidity when combined with any spicy food. Remember, the fibre is ripped off in juices, and only simple sugars remain available which add unwanted calories to the diet. Instead, grab some  ginger tea, cinnamon tea, boiled cumin water, vegetable non-acidic unstrained juices or even fennel tea.
wknd@khaleejtimes.com