5 Healthiest Winter Foods

Posted by Healthy Bitch Daily on Dec 4, 2012

Those pretty summer fruits are gone, and your garden's looking a tad frosty.

And if you don't start getting creative in the kitchen, colder weather can lead to a crap-ass diet. But just because the chunky sweater will cover that muffin top, there's no reason to fall off the health wagon, sweetcheeks. There are plenty of tasty choices available in the winter—even ones that will keep your bod in fighting shape.

Pomegranates

Inside the leathery skin of a pomegranate, you'll find a treasure trove of sweet, juicy seeds. These little gems are nature’s holiday gift to the health-conscious gal. The ruby red seeds can glam up a salad or turn a glass of champagne into a festive cocktail, all while helping to reduce cholesterol and pumping you full of antioxidants. Tasty and beautifying at the same time. Win. We even give you permission to be naughty with this pomegranate cranberry kiss cocktail. Bottom's up, babe.

Kale

Kale has been gaining in popularity, and it's a savior for the plan-ahead gal. It's much sturdier than spinach or lettuce and can be dressed hours before a party without wilting. The dark green leaves will hold up in your favorite white bean or veggie soup and retain a bit of crunch. The mineral and vitamin content are much higher than its summer counterparts, too, with loads of iron and vitamin C. Kale is also filled with fiber and sulphur, which will help you detox after a night of candy cane martinis.

Beets

Yes, you may think they taste like dirt, but these gorgeous red veggies are packed full of health benefits, from boosting endurance to fighting free radicals with antioxidants. When roasted, the natural sugars are concentrated, leaving a sweet addition to that yummy kale salad—not to mention a festive color combo. Here's an easy kale beet salad that can turn you into a beet believer.

Grapefruit

Like your plump rear end after too many holiday cookies, grapefruit and other citrus fruits are at their juiciest in the wintertime. They're loaded with vitamin C, which can help fight off the those pesky winter colds. Enjoy a glass of fresh-squeezed juice, peel and eat as a snack while shopping for all those presents, or add some segments to a salad.

Sweet Potatoes

If you're watching your weight, you may be avoiding starchy foods this time of year. But don't write off potatoes just yet. They're a great gluten-free, whole food that will keep you feeling full for hours. And their high concentration of vitamins C and B6 will give your immune system a fighting chance when the flu makes it rounds in your office.

What's your favorite winter veggie or fruit? Tell us in the comments section!


Lori Kenyon, Certified Nutrition Coach
Former corporate attorney and master of the loop-hole, in 2010, Lori co-founded the kick-ass raw organic juice company, Ritual Wellness. Lori now spends her time producing a healthy alternative to chemical ridden, nutrient void drinks in the market, and writing  to help educate people about healthy food choices.