Winters in India begin in late November and lasts until mid-January. As the nights get cooler and the day gets shorter, one starts to crave heavier foods as the body adjusts to the change in temperature to store more fat as insulation. “The digestive fire, which is known as Jatharagni in Ayurveda, gets strengthened during the winter. This fire aids in the digestion of foods high in fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates,” in interaction with ABP Live, Ayurveda Practioner and Co-Founder of Ayushakti, Dr Smita Naram said.
During winter, the body needs more fuel to be healthy and warm, and the cold weather drives the fire principle deep within the body, igniting the digestive system. As a result, this time of year is when our bodies seek a more substantial, nutritious diet, and you’ll probably find yourself eating more.
Dr Smita Naram said, “A supportive winter diet works to balance kapha without boosting vata or the other way around. Many people actually have pretty natural eating habits for the winter.” She also provided a few diet tips to keep in mind this winter:
- Concentrate on consuming foods that are well-seasoned, warm, cooked, and slightly oily
- Stay away from iced or cold liquids and stick to room temperature, warm, or hot drinks. By consuming tea that has been boiled for five minutes with half a teaspoon each of dried ginger, cinnamon, and clove, you can boost heat and circulation while promoting clean and clear respiratory passages
- CCF Tea can be consumed after meals or drank throughout the day and supports healthy digestion
- Add more fat to your diet. This provides insulation and the nutrients necessary to repair, rebuild, and rejuvenate. Essential fatty acids like omega-3 are abundant in seeds and nuts such as walnuts, pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, peanuts, hazelnuts, and chia seeds and one of the great sources of plant-based omega-3 is Soyabean. Add butter, ghee, olive oil, and coconut oil to your cooking during the fall and winter
- Include more protein. If you are not a vegetarian, this is a good time to consume a small amount (no more than 10% of your diet) of poultry meat. In the winter, one needs more protein, which is received from this. If you are a vegetarian you can opt for plant-based proteins such as tofu, lentils, chickpeas, soy milk, peanuts, almonds or almond milk. Proteins are the body’s building blocks, and during the winter, these nutrients are crucial for structural strength and immunity
- Winter is a good time to add fibre to the daily diet. Consuming foods high in fibre helps improve intestinal health. Fibre enables you to go to the bathroom because it is purgative. The body’s response to the heat at the end of the summer is better elimination or looser stools. If this excess heat is not dissipated, it causes dryness and constipation. Oats, seeds, grains, rye, and rice all contain fibre. If you have Celiac disease or symptoms, this should be avoided or intake should be less
- Legumes are typically beneficial for kaphabut in order to avoid aggravating vata, they should be properly prepared, flavorfully spiced, and topped with ghee.
- While winter is the time to cut back on dairy, a cup of hot, spiced milk with a pinch of turmeric or dried ginger and nutmeg before bed can help to encourage sound sleep and should not be overly congested
It is possible to obtain optimal health by balancing these doshas by following natural cycles and following specific Ayurvedic recommendations for seasonal diet and lifestyle. The foods we eat throughout the year significantly impact our minds and bodies. Changes in weather call for changes in our diet and lifestyle for immunity, especially in the winter.
Eating an Ayurvedic meal may seem challenging given the busy pace of modern life. A reasonable and practical plan may be created, though, with some forethought and motivation. Eating home-cooked cuisine is preferable to ordering takeout. One can plan a weekly diet and enjoy the pleasant weather while staying healthy.