Yes, winter is coming. One can already feel a little nip in the air. With the changing season, it is also imperative that we modify our diet and turn to seasonal winter vegetables to load up of essential nutrients and also safeguard our body from within. A popular autumn/winter vegetable is pumpkin, which is used in numerous ways across the globe to dish out soul-nourishing delicacies. Pumpkins contain essential nutrients such as folic acid, manganese, vitamin C and zinc, all known to help in strengthening the body's natural immune system. But this is not the only option. There are various other winter vegetables with higher value of nutrition that you should include in your daily diet -
1. Spinach: Like tomatoes, spinach contains antioxidants that combat free radicals. It also contains a great deal of potassium which increases the speed of signals between neurons, helping our brains to be more responsive. It is also full of vitamin C, which helps the body fight infection and increases the levels of antioxidants in the body.
Spinach contains antioxidants that combat free radicals
2. Sweet potato: Sweet potato contains a massive 65 percent of the minimum necessary daily amount of vitamin C, while also having a very low glycemic index of 17. Sweet potato is rich in dietary fibre, which helps to reduce blood sugar and insulin spikes, ultimately reducing belly fat. The best way to benefit from sweet potato is to keep the skin on, as it possesses healing potential with its high levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene and high potassium content.
3. Beans: Beans are a great source of nutrition. They contain lysine, an essential amino acid which helps the body convert fatty acids into energy and helps to lower cholesterol. They also contain folate, a B vitamin which affects neurotransmitters that can boost your mood.
4. Aubergine: Aubergines are rich in minerals such as potassium which is good for metabolism, and magnesium which helps to relax your muscles and can aid in improving your sleep. If you lack vitamin B and K this is a good vegetable to opt for, and make sure to keep the skin on if you would like extra nasunin, a potent phytonutrient and antioxidant which has anti-ageing properties.
Aubergines are rich in minerals such as potassium
5. Brussel Sprouts: Not only are sprouts rich in vitamin C and K, which help to maintain healthy bones, they also contain carotenoids, which are essential for supporting good vision. Sprouts are a great source of vitamin C and also contain very low sodium and fat content, making them a great vegetable for supporting the health of your heart.
Inputs from IANS