Winter food avoidance: Experts recommend that you avoid certain foods during winter to improve your health and immunity.
Winter is here and it brings with it a variety of delicious cuisines and foods. We all know what winter foods we need to eat – seasonal fruits and vegetables and anything warm and nourishing. What about the foods that we shouldn’t eat? For better immunity and health, nutritionists and experts in the field recommend that certain foods and food types be avoided during winter. These foods are less likely to be infected and can be avoided by nutritionists.
Here Are Some Foods To Avoid In Winter:
1. Cold Temperature Foods
Do you think you can get a bottle of coca-cola right from your fridge? You might be wrong. Cold drinks and foods can make the body more susceptible to disease. Rupali Dutta, Consultant Nutritionist, says that cold foods shouldn’t be eaten in winter because the body must work twice as hard to get them to body temperature.
2. Dairy Products
Dairy products can produce mucus, which can lead to wheezing or other infections. Avoid drinking cold milk products like milkshakes, smoothies, and shakes in winter. In the winter season, curd should be avoided after lunch. According to Delnaaz T. Chanduwadia (Chief Dietitian at Jaslok Hospital), “Some people are sensitive to dairy. It forms mucus, as per Ayurveda.” People who are susceptible to coughs and colds should stay away from dairy.
3. Meats and Processed Foods
In the winter, heavy foods like meats should not be eaten. Experts believe that the body takes longer to digest these foods, making us feel lethargic during a period of physical inactivity. This can lead to weight gain and digestive problems. In cold weather, it is a good idea to avoid processed foods as they can cause allergies. Sweedal Trinidade (Senior Officer Dietetics) at P.D. says that food additives have been known to cause allergies reactions in people to varying degrees. Hinduja Hospital.
4. Salads and raw food
Shilpa Arora, Nutritionist and Macrobiotic Coach Shilpa Arora, says it’s best to avoid raw food after lunch in winter. This is because cold foods can increase acidity and bloating and digestion peak at noon. Only eat seasonal salads such as mooli or raw vegetables during these hours. It is important to eat seasonal foods. Delnaaz Chanduwadia, a dietitian, agrees that most foods that are grown in a specific season are meant to help heal and protect against diseases most vulnerable in those months.
5. Juices, Aerated Drinks
It is a well-known fact that winter should not be able to consume chilled beverages. Experts suggest that you limit your intake of aerated beverages, fruit juices, and other sugary drinks. These drinks have high levels of sugar, which can lead to insulin resistance in the body and lower immunity. Avoid fruit juices and eat fresh fruits. Shilpa Arora, ND says that even fresh juice should be avoided during winters.
6. Fatty Foods with No Calories
Winter is a time when we think of hot Pakoras or ghee-laden Paranthas. Experts recommend that warm foods are not consumed in excess to help the body cope with cold weather. It will make it difficult to reach your weight goals and derail your well-controlled blood sugar levels. Senior dietitian Sweedal Trine says that while spices may appeal to your taste buds, they can cause gastric problems in the long term.
Avoid high-calorie foods in winter.
7. Sweets
Many festivals coincide with winter, so celebrations are often associated with sweet treats and delicious desserts. Senior dietitian Sweedal Trinidade suggests that this could reduce immunity to extreme temperatures. Let’s not forget to look after our immunity while we indulge in the sweet tooth. She says sugar can increase inflammation and pain, as well as reduce immunity. This makes you more susceptible to respiratory diseases.
Keep yourself safe, healthy, and warm. Make sure to eat healthy food this winter!
