When Sweater Weather calls, gulp a cup of Soup and snuggle up! —Foods that can keep you warm and healthy this Winter

Your basic must-eat foods to delight winter evenings

As I was flipping through the pages of a winter cookbook (well, I needed some inspiration to get out of the blanket to make myself dinner), my eyes stopped to read the magical lines John Keats penned in his poem, The Eve of St. Agnes:

“…of Candid Apple, quince, and plum, and gourd,

With jellies soother than the creamy curd,

And lucent Syrop's, tinct with cinnamon.

Manna and dates….”.

Aha! Who wouldn’t be intrigued by these delicacies? I know I would.

I won’t lie. I am not an admirer of winter (except for sweaters and boots). The constant grogginess, lazy days, bitter winds, and banks of snow are those that don’t help me get motivated every day. But what makes me embrace all these winter blues is the endless option of heart-appealing, delicious, yet healthy foods that taste a lot better in winter.

From creamy soup to oven-baked crunchy Chicken, here is a healthier version of your favorite winter delights that will tempt your appetite and warm up your soul.

A Bowl of Hot Beans

When cold hits your body, you resort to warm food so that you feel cozy inside out and what can be comfier than a scrumptious Chili?

As experts say, beans, legumes, and lentils are a nutritional powerhouse. 3/4 cup of beans contains an average of 150 – 175 calories, 0 – 3 grams fat, 10 – 15 gm fiber, and 11 – 13 gm protein. It is also rich in potassium, iron, and antioxidants.

If you are a vegan and want a little variation to tickle your taste buds, incorporate Chickpeas into your diet. They are a good substitution for meat, are completely vegan, gluten-free, delicious, and can be made in 30 minutes. So, all my vegan friends, spice up your evenings with this savory dish and fill your ‘chilly room with perfume light’.

Oh! The Soulful Lentil Soup

After a long day, you’re out of showing any cooking repertoire. You want to gulp the food and get into the blanket as quickly as possible. The light yet satisfying lentil soup is here for the rescue to make this transition faster and to help you keep up with those never-ending wintry nights.

Lentil soups are common and most preferred food in winter that supplies all types of Protein, vitamins, minerals, and carbs in your body. I like to make it colorful by adding a couple of veggies to it. If you are a lover of spices, don’t hesitate to try a bunch of them to make it more flavorful. Quick tip💡Spices like turmeric, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and cumin fight the virus and infections that attack your body from cold. Also, including a dollop of honey in your meal can help retain immunity. So, let your creative self sour and make your version of comfort food.

Cherish Your Chicken Delights

As the temperature starts to taper off settling you inside, your craving for binge eating sets your mood up for a holiday cheer. Your winter festivity can’t be a hit if you don’t have Chicken on your must-eat list.

It’s no wonder Chicken contains a lot of protein; it also builds muscle strength and preserves a healthy metabolism. One 3-ounce(85g) serving of boneless, skinless grilled chicken breast contains 128 calories, 26 grams of protein, and 27 grams of fat with zero grams of carbs.

When it comes to crafting homemade recipes, you can fully rely on your imagination to treat yourself to a happy belly. How about a plate of creamy, cheesy Chicken Cordon blue to dazzle your movie night? or a bucket of oven-roasted Chicken drumstick to pump you up for a restless match? Sounds delicious and tastes delicious. Aren’t they? Be it a fancy platter or a regular one, everything will come out just perfect when you squeeze love into it.

Keep Protein Ladoos in Stock

This is for all those who don’t like to have a proper meal (yes, there are some of them) and save some snacks to munch throughout the day.

For those who are wondering what it is exactly, an immunity Ladoo is made of a variety of nuts, seeds, chocolate (if you want a little bit), and a fair amount of jaggery (good for digestion and a healthier option than sugar) mixed and blend in a ball shape. They boost your energy and aid in maintaining a healthy snacking habit (when you have so many distractions). You can mix ingredients according to your preferences, the possibilities are pretty much endless.

A Giant Mug of Hot Chocolate

You aren’t cold if you aren’t drinking hot chocolate. A cup of hot chocolate not only fuels you up, but it contains the vitamins and minerals that prove effective in your body. Taking account the amount of sugar in per serving, it instantly spikes your energy level and provides strength to beat the chill. As per USDA, it works and tastes better with low-fat milk, especially when you’re a little concerned about taking a high amount of sugar. Choose your safe side.

Though my kind of beverage is chai (tea leaves infused with the flavors of cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves), hot chocolate works like magic to wipe away all your winter blues, especially if you are living in the northern hemisphere.

Your Staple, Cereal

The most easy, ready-to-eat, and I believe, everyone’s favorite. I feel that cereal is not just for breakfast, it’s literally for all the time. I can’t think of starting my morning without having a hot bowl of Mixed Berry Cereal. It is delicious, sweetened with fruit (no added sugar), and has all the healthy properties (1 1/2 cup serving (61 g): 270 calories, 8 g fat, 44 g carbs, 390 mg sodium, 6 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 6 g fiber, 5 g protein), according to Trish Clasen Marsanico, food editor in Women’s Health.

I hope many of you out there like to start your mornings with a bowl of cereal. Do your best choice to make a kick-start to your day!

I hope this was helpful! Thank you.