7 Winter Foods to Eat More of This Season

The winter blues can often leave us hungry and thirsty for warm foods that will fill us up and make our bellies happy. But sometimes, this can turn into eating lots of fried, high carb and high sugar foods that offer temporary relief. It’s difficult to notice the unhealthy habits until the pounds start stacking up and energy starts to decrease. Well, I’ve made a list of winter foods I like to eat, that make me feel happy and full yet are still healthy so I can stay fit and active. Start incorporating them into your meal planning for a healthy, satisfied winter!

5 Winter Foods to Eat More of:

Winter Squash - At the top of my favorite winter foods list is winter squash, so delicious! There are a variety of squash in the winter family, including butternut, acorn, and spaghetti. Squash are full of vitamins, particularly A and C, but are low in calories so you can enjoy the goodness guilt-free! I love cooking squash and eating it warm with a few spices, or adding a fresh basil pesto to spaghetti squash for a healthy version of pasta. SO good!!!

Root Vegetables - Another group of winter foods that I can’t get enough of is plant roots. These are vegetables that are the root of the plant, so they are pulled from underground. The most common root vegetables are carrots, parsnips, radishes, sweet potatoes and yams. They are chock full of vitamins and nutrients, not to the mention the amazing flavor! A mixed root vegetable medley is the perfect side dish for any meal, just bake with butter and spices and you’ve got one of the best side dishes made from healthy winter foods!

Pomegranates - Okay, let’s talk about a winter delight that doesn’t need to be warm to be enjoyed, the pomegranate! This is one of those winter foods that is bursting with antioxidants and is a great dessert or snack option. I love opening up a pomegranate and eating it as a movie snack, it’s a huge upgrade from milk duds :) Oh, and did I mention winter salad?

Oatmeal - One of the reasons I love oatmeal so much is because it’s one of the most versatile winter foods. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy oatmeal, from savory to sweet, like this almond joy oatmeal; doesn’t get much tastier than that! It is one of the best breakfast options because it’s full of fiber and vitamins, plus there’s even some protein in there to keep you full and satisfied until your next snack or meal.

Honey - Well, I suppose this isn’t necessarily one of the winter foods you would enjoy on it’s own (unless you really love it) but honey is a great way to add some sweetness to your winter foods to satisfy that sweet tooth. Drizzle it over some yogurt for a sweet afternoon snack, or put it in your tea or coffee to sweeten up your morning or evening beverage.

Homemade Soups and Stews - The great thing about soups and stews are that you can add as little or as much to them as you want. Make a light veggie soup for a great side dish or add some ingredients like lentils and chicken for a hearty main course. Winter foods are the best when you can customize them to what you feel like eating that day!

Eggs - The staple breakfast ingredient is also in my favorites for winter foods. Okay, so I obviously love winter foods that are versatile and eggs are something you can enjoy in a variety of ways. A nice omelet can be as simple or extravagant as you would like, or a hard boiled egg can top a nice salad. Eggs can be whisked, scrambled, and added to a delicious sweet potato hash or served with bacon. Try these egg and ham breakfast cups for a quick on-the-go option.

Don’t let fried foods and sugar dipped treats entice you too much this winter. Instead, try incorporating these winter foods into your daily meal plan for delicious and nutritious dishes that are sure to please your stomach and help you stay healthy and fit this winter!