Image Source: Herbal Remedies Advice

It’s that time of the year again, when that all you can see is limited to twenty feet in front of you, all that you touch sends a shiver down your body and all that you eat contains the usually undelivering hope that it will warm you up in some way.

But all's not lost, there are indeed foods that can keep you warm and make the day more manageable. It is simply the survival instinct that has taught members of different communities residing in frosty regions to look for and cook foods that protect the body from the cold.

The foods listed in this menu are everyday items. They’re cheap, readily available and perhaps most importantly, taste good. You can design many recipes around these ingredients and won’t ever have to worry about compromising on taste or variety of cuisine. You can’t always look towards a fire or a heater to give you protection against the unforgiving Northern Indian winter and these foods offer an all-around beneficial way of making your day easier.

If you’re looking for recipes, you’ll find many available on online which incorporate these ingredients.

Without any more delay, let’s have a look at what these foods are:

1. Soup

Probably the go-to warming food for many, the hot soup is a quick and easy way to keep yourself warm. They come in a variety of flavours and can be delicious. It’s a perfect mid day meal.

2. Ginger

Ginger is a wonderful ingredient whose magic has been known to Indian culture for the longest time. It boost the body’s immune system, fights off bacteria and fungi, and supports your digestive system.

It also keeps you warm. You may have already known this, as ginger tea is popular across India during the winter months. But that’s not the only way you can make use of this warming food: simply boil it in water and drink, or spread it on salads, or add some to any meal you might be having. Ginger works quite well with a lot of foods.

3. Chillies

This should come as no surprise, chillies are hot, and have the ability to increase your body temperature considerably. Some suggest against having chillies because they eventually cause you to lose heat, but there are just as many in support of eating chillies during a particularly cold experience.

4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is an inclusion on this list that works a bit differently: it can be both consumed orally and applied on the skin to obtain its warming effects. Coconut oil is no stranger to Indian cuisine, and it is especially used in the south, where, funnily enough, it doesn’t get quite as cold as it does in the north.

Coconut oil is chock full of health benefits, so there’s plenty of reason for you to start using it in your food. If the unique flavour coconut oil imparts into food isn’t to your taste, then you can simply rub some on your skin, which works just as well in keeping the body warm.

5. Coffee

Coffee is a suggestible drink every day of the year, not just in the winter, but it has an added feature during chilly and windy days. Coffee increases your metabolism - meaning it can actually help you lose weight  - and when your metabolism increases, so does your body temperature. Coffee keeps you warm and alert, giving you a small shot of energy that offers resistance to winter for a hours.

There are plenty of coffees you can choose from, but we suggest some healthy organic coffee.                   

These foods will go a long way in making you feel more comfortable during the winter. They’re no substitute for winterwear, but we can assure you that you’ll feel the siege of winter a lot less. Combine this with a little exercise, and of course a heater, and you might not even tell it’s the winter season.

Keep warm!