Yes, healthy eating whatever the weather is the way to go.
However – this is especially true during winter. And I say this for good reason.
For those of you currently experiencing the colder months, this can be the classic time to reach for the ‘comfort foods’. Often the readily available food choices focus on fast and tasty, although aren’t the best options for our digestion, metabolism and energy levels.
Now you can have tasty, healthy and fast – here are Fi’s Four Fabulous picks –
- Dark green leafies– your body will love you for their vitamin (C, K, A) and folate.
Go for gold with a hearty soup of your favourites (mine have to be broccoli leaves, dandelion, kale and chard) with a basic veggie stock if you need the flavor. I prefer to add some miso after I’ve let them simmer for 10mins and then let them sit to cool for 30mins or so.
This means the gut-friendly organisms in the miso stay live.
- Pumpkin/squash – even though they have a relatively higher GI value – the overall effect on our blood sugar is offset by the lower carb value.
For something a wee bit different, mash steamed pumpkin with avocado + tamari. Makes an ideal dip, with raw veggies.
And their C, A, B6, K vitamins, plus potassium and folate help to make them worth the effort!
- Citrus – packed with flavonoids, and of course vitamin C, they give a refreshing lift.
Interestingly, limes, lemons, oranges, grapefruits are at their most succulent during winter…nature knows how to tempt us when we most need it!
- Lentils – sporting a low GI, these often-overlooked-beauties contain a medley of goodies; including B vits, copper, folate, manganese, iron plus protein and fiber.
Definitely worth sprouting them (French green are my favs to sprout!) as they make a fabulous addition to soups and salads.
Or add to fortify your soups.
Take Away – new to sprouting? Message me if you’d like some tips! 🙂
Fi Jamieson-Folland D.O, is a Lifestyle Consultant, with over 26 years experience in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified osteopath, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, speaker, health mentor and Health Brand Ambassador. She loves to globe-trot with her husband Chris (NZ, Australia, USA, UK + Europe and Indonesia are current favourites) relishing an outdoor lifestyle and time with family and friends.
