Four Foods to Help You Stay Warm This Winter

By Sarah-Jane Bedwell,SELF magazine

The temperature seems to be dropping everyday now that we're approaching the middle of winter. You can bundle up in heavy sweaters and sit by a fire, but if you really want to stay warm this winter, start with the foods you are eating. You probably already crave hot meals during the winter months due to their warming powers, but if you pick warm foods and beverages as well as those that can also raise your body temperature, then you''ll have a double defense to the cold this winter...

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1. Healthy Fats + Spicy Seasonings: As much as we don't like to talk about the "f" word, fat actually plays an important role in insulating our bodies and keeping us warm. That's why it's important to include heart-healthy fats like those in nuts, avocados, and olive oil in our daily diets. Combine those healthy fats with hot and spicy foods and you'll definitely stay extra warm. Spicy foods like chili peppers and seasonings made from chili peppers contain a compound called capsaicin, which makes them spicy and, when eaten, increases our body temperature, creating a warming effect. One of my favorite snacks this winter that combines spicy seasoning and healthy fat has been the Sweet and Spicy Chipotle Pistachios from Nuts.com.

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2. Caffeine: You probably especially enjoy that hot cup of joe on winter mornings, but it's not just the temperature of the coffee that's helping to keep you warm. The amount of caffeine in just one cup of coffee, can temporarily raise your metabolism by up to 15%, and when your metabolism goes up, so does your body temperature.

3. Spicy Soup: Soup is a must-have meal during the winter months because it warms us from inside out. Choose a soup like Annie Chun's Hot and Sour Soup Bowl, and you will not only be experiencing the soup's warm temperature, but also the warming effect from the spices. Plus, the Chinese believe that noodle soups like this one not only keep you warm in the winter but also help to fight winter colds.

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4. A Special Tea: A cup of hot tea is always nice to curl up with on a cold winter evening. For the most warming benefits, try ginger root tea, which provides warmth not only from the hot liquid, but also from the ginger itself, which has a warming sensation that comes on slowly, but then lasts longer than the warming sensations from spicy foods. You can purchase pre-made ginger root tea bags, but to get the full effect, try making it yourself by grating fresh ginger root, placing it in water, and simmering it for 5-12 minutes. Then just strain it and enjoy while warm.

What are your go to foods and beverages to keep you warm this winter?

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