Healthy Foods to Eat During the Last Days of Winter
By Sara Butler
Spring may be just around the corner, but the weather outside reminds you that winter is still here. That can be a depressing thought unless you remember a few of the good things winter has to offer - namely, the foods that are at their peak right now. Here are a few healthy winter foods you should keep eating to help brighten your day as you wait for spring to arrive.
Apples
Apples often get overlooked because they're plentiful all year long, but during the winter months is when apples really shine nutritionally. Apples are full of antioxidants and fiber, plus you can eat them for a snack or for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There's a reason people still say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away -- they're incredibly healthy!
Brussels Sprouts
You may have flashbacks to slimy, sad looking Brussels sprouts from your youth, but you should give these green gems another try. The tasty morsels provide your body with folate, iron, and Vitamin K. The key is to learn to prepare them in a way that's tasty, such as tossing them with olive oil and a little sea salt, then roasting them in the oven. You'll never suffer a slimy, steamed Brussels sprout again!
Pumpkin
People usually correlate pumpkins with fall, but they're good for you all winter long. This delicious squash is a great source of potassium and Vitamin B, plus it packs quite a lot of fiber, providing you with about 20 percent of your daily dose. Just be careful not to get your pumpkin through pie, since added sugars detract from its nutritional value as a powerhouse winter vegetable.
Dates
You probably don't get enough dates in your life of the fruit variety. Dates are sweet palm fruit found in the Middle East that has a ton of nutritional benefits such as high amounts of potassium and fiber, while also managing to be low in fat. Try a few date recipes out and see what you think -- you may find a new favorite!
Chestnuts
These beauties weren't immortalized in song for anything. Chestnuts are high in Vitamin C to help support a healthy immune system and healthy blood sugar levels. They have a mild but sweet taste that can be used in all kinds of recipes. Go ahead, roast some up on an open fire and have them as a snack!
Add a few of these foods to your diet during the last days of winter and you'll start off spring with a spring in your step!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arvada, Colo.