Don’t come a cropper during the cold snap and knock nasties with the essential guide to nutrition this winter. As the nights draw in and temperatures fall to frigid at best it is the natural reaction to turn to hearty, wholesome, warming winter dishes.
[UKPRwire, Thu Nov 08 2007] As the nights draw in and temperatures fall to frigid at best it is the natural reaction to turn to hearty, wholesome, warming winter dishes. Stews, soups, roasts, hotpots and festive fare are of course what we Brits do best, but the right combinations will carry you through a healthy Christmas and beyond.
The first consideration is the most simple – warming ourselves from the inside out with meals with warming spices and rich sauces to speed up the metabolic rate and send heat around the body, such as Wiltshire Farm Foods Beef Bordelaise, a French classic with roast beef in a deep red wine sauce.
Insulation should not be the only consideration though so don’t let your healthy summer habits fall by the wayside – a healthy intake of seasonal vegetables and pulses are imperative to ensure your body is adequately prepared for the seasonal onslaught of germs and viruses.
Fantastic winter vegetables include sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, turnip, swede and parsnip. All of these are high in Vitamins A and C which help build the immune system and ward off illness. Garlic is another good vegetable to eat at this time of year as it has proven anti-viral and anti-fungal properties and could just help you stave off that cold.
Oats are a great grain for winter warming but other grains are more cooling so try not to make bread the staple of your winter meals. Pulses are a winter super food, particularly aduki beans, black bean and lentils but stock up on any pulse and you’ll see a difference. Low in fat, high in protein and complex carbohydrate and fibre, they also contain a range of vitamins and minerals and will leave you feeling fuller for longer, add bulk and are an excellent source of protein and Vitamin B for vegetarians and vegans.
Wiltshire Farm Foods Vegetable Hotpot is perfect example of an immune boosting and delicious dish, with lentils, barley and root vegetables cooked in one pot, ensuring no nutrients are lost and finished with sauté potatoes. Much of the Wiltshire Farm Foods Winter Comforts range are finished with high vitamin seasonal vegetables such as carrot and parsnips and dark green vegetables such as broccoli which is packed with calcium.
As the days get darker you may feel a little blue, so wrap up and try to get out in the natural light – you’ll feel less sleepy too. We all seek solace in hot drinks but don't forget your body still needs at least 1.5 litres of water a day. Simply drink at room temperature, it is more hydrating that way and you body doesn't have to expend energy heating it to body temperature. Herbal tea is also a good hot alternative to caffeine -laden tea and coffee and won’t dehydrate you.
If you are prone to colds or chesty coughs try to avoid too much dairy produce. In general these are mucous forming and won't help you fight off illness. Also try to reduce your refined salt intake – it’s a general rule but even more so during the winter when your lymphatic, immune systems and liver are busy trying to keep you healthy. Wiltshire Farm Foods have lowered their salt content across the entire range without compromising on taste so you can be sure your body will be kept in tip-top condition this winter with a minimum of fuss.
Wintertide treats are always welcome and for a sweet sensation spoil yourself with Wiltshire Farm Foods sticky Butterscotch and Treacle Pudding, traditional Christmas Pud or get fruity with a Winter Fruit Tarte packed with a festive mix of cranberries, oranges, apricots, cherries and plums with a streusel topping of nutmeg and almonds.
With over 15 years experience, Wiltshire Farm Foods has won the prestigious Queen’s Award for Enterprise, as part of apetito ltd, for outstanding innovation in the provision of tasty and nutritious frozen meals and also offers a Special Diet Guide for those wishing to lose weight or with specific dietary needs such as diabetes, food intolerances, lower salt, low fat, gluten or dairy free diets. www.wiltshirefarmfoods.com also provides a place for the health-conscious consumer to swap recipes and ideas as well as order their favourite dishes for a personalised and friendly home delivery.
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