Brace yourself… winter has arrived. And with it, a slew of annual colds and flu. To make sure your body is totally prepared, these 3 superfoods are your best bet to keep immunity up and boost your energy levels for when you have to power through rainy days and tough workouts.
But first things first – let’s break down what a superfood actually is.
Superfoods are foods that are nutritionally dense. While the term is a bit ambiguous, the basic gist is that these foods are nutrient-rich and offer an array of health benefits while being low in kilojoules.
Here, three top superfoods to add to your grocery list this winter.
Ginger
Ginger is a must-have for an array of reasons. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, helps with digestion, boosts your immune system and has even been known to help with morning sickness! There are many other proven benefits to this wonderful spice, but aside from medicinal uses, it also just tastes great (in moderation).
Ginger has been used in Asian cuisine for centuries, and it’s easy to understand why. The spice adds a somewhat sweet, spicy taste to any dish. You can enjoy ginger in juice form, in your dinner, on your morning oats, or even on its own. It is super versatile and will add some pizzaz to whatever you choose to use it in – and you’ll be boosting your immune system while you’re at it. It’s the perfect addition to any winter meal.
Citrus
When you think citrus fruits, you probably think vitamin C – and that’s correct. But there’s much more to these zesty superfoods than their vitamin C content. They also contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, are an excellent source of fibre, contain an abundance of minerals (like magnesium and potassium), and are incredibly low in calories.
There are a variety of citrus fruits to choose from, but some of our personal favourites include oranges, clementines, naartjies, grapefruits, and a classic lemon. Just like ginger, these fruits are incredibly versatile and cater to an array of taste buds. They are incredibly tasty on their own but can also add a great kick to a meal. You could combine citrus juice with some ginger juice for a tasty, immune-boosting drink that will help you kickstart every winter morning.
Squash
During the winter months you can never go wrong with a creamy butternut soup or some fluffy pumpkin fritters, amongst other tasty squash recipes. The great news? Not only is squash (in all its many wonderful forms) a delicious winter comfort food, it’s also healthy! This will depend on how you choose to serve it of course, but squash on its own is actually a great source of fibre. It also comes with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Squash is easily one of the most versatile winter ingredients; it can be enjoyed in soups, purees, pastas, roasts, or on its own. Adding some squash to any winter meal is a super easy way to make sure your body is full of nutrition and ready to tackle the cold.
Some other worthy additions to this list of winter superfoods include: carrots, beetroot, kale, sweet potato, and avocado – to name a few.
There are so many ways to enjoy winter superfoods. If you focus on including fresh fruits, veggies, herbs, and spices in your winter diet, you’ll be giving your immune system the upper hand when it comes to handling the cold. So be sure to keep eating the rainbow!
Win with Herbalife!
This season, we’re giving you even more reasons to get healthy despite the weather. We’re giving five lucky people a Herbalife hamper with everything they’ll need to get in shape, to the value of R2700. The lucky winners will receive:
- 1 x Herbalife shaker
- 1 x Aloe concentrate drink
- 1 x Multifibre
- 1 x Vegan protein drink mix
- 1 x Tea extracts
- 1 x Shake mix
- 1 x Yoga mat
- 1 x Yoga ball
- 1 x Bag
How To Enter
Entering will only take a minute.
1. Make sure that you are following us on Instagram @womenshealthmagsa and @herbalifesouthafrica.
2. Stay tuned to the @womenshealthmagsa Instagram page on 23rd June for the competition post.
3. Like the post, tag a friend in the comments, and share it to your Instagram story – tagging @womenshealthmagsa and @herbalifesouthafrica.
4. The winner will be randomly selected and notified.
5. The competition will run from 23rd June – 4th July 2022.
6. Terms and conditions apply.
Source: https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/food-and-nutrition/feed/
