Although there are three different constitutions in Ayurveda, there are also foods that fit all of the constitutions. Here’s a dive into what those foods are and how they can be incorporated into your winter meals. Let’s have a healthy and nutritious winter fest!
Nuts (Including Almonds, Cashews, and Pistachios)
When it comes to the winter season, you can’t go wrong with incorporating nuts into your diet. Despite their dry texture, nuts are warming to the body. They also provide healthy fats that are needed to get through the winter season. I especially love using nuts in oatmeal and pastries.
Oils
Another healthy fat to incorporate are oils like flax seeds, olive oil, and sesame oil. In addition to these oils being good to ingest. Oils like sesame oil and olive oil are perfect for applying topically to keep dry winter skin away. Oils are perfect for nourishing from the inside out. My favorite ways to add oils are in stir-fries and also topically during the fall and winter seasons.
Molasses
Molasses is underrated for its flavor and nutrient density. For women especially, it is a welcome treat that is perfect for providing sweetness while delivering on much needed nutrients like iron. There are so many recipes that are easy to incorporate molasses in, including tons of baking items and fruit dishes. To me molasses was an acquired taste, but is now an ingredient that I can’t live without. It is a great staple in baking and also adds nutrients when you are in a hurry.
Spices
During the winter time, it is recommended that all Ayurveda constitutions spice up their lives. Spices are warming and provide tons of nutrients and promote the nutrients in other foods as well. Instead of having a bland meal, try adding different spices to soups, stews, and other hearty meals. Some of my favorites during this time of year include cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and basil. Using fresh spices will add another flavor and nutrient boost.
Legumes
Here is another superfood that is ideal during the winter time. Fall and winter are legumes time to shine. Adding miso, beans, tofu, and lentils are going to add plenty of fiber and other nutrients to your diet while also increasing your metabolism and creating fullness. I love adding legumes to soups and stews to bulk them up and create different flavors. My favorite dish during the holidays that includes legumes is lentil soup. I love experimenting with different flavors and adding different ingredients each time I make it.
Root Vegetables
All of the root vegetables are beneficial during this time. This is the perfect time of year to use the excuse adding sweet potatoes and pumpkin into your diet more than usual. Need an immune booster? Root vegetables have that. How about a Vitamin A and fiber? Root vegetables provide that as well. Whether you choose to add winter squash, rutabagas, eggplants, or potatoes, they will warm up your body and soul. My favorite root vegetable? Definitely the vibrant and nutritious sweet potato. I especially love that they come in different colors and varieties. Try Angie’s Sicilian-Inspired Potato Salad here.
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut are perfect for increasing metabolism and creating an inner fire within the body, warming it from the inside out. Besides the abundance of flavor, adding fermented foods provide a host of other benefits, such as preventing certain cancers, boosting immunity, and cleansing impurities from the body. Although it took a minute to get used to trying all of the fermented foods, I now love adding different types to almost all of my meals. Kimchi is a delightful staple as well as non-dairy yogurt. If you are hesitant to try fermented foods, try a bit at a time in order to get used to the taste. After a few tries, you will not be sorry.
Now that you know more about these seven foods, I hope you add them into some holiday meals. This is the perfect time of year to add colorful and beautiful foods that will enrich you from the inside out. When discovering Ayurveda, I was surprised that most of these foods are items that I already consume on a regular basis. Being healthy has never been easier.
Also by Kiera: I Wrote Morning Pages For A Year. Here’s What Happened & Why You Should Try It
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