7 Healthy Nuts and Seeds To Drive Away Winter Chills

The temperature is dipping, and we can’t wait to get cozy! During winters, your body’s energy level, metabolism, and even dietary choices witness a shift. Hence, it’s important that you replace junk with super healthy nuts and seeds for warmth.

Nuts and seeds have a high concentration of healthy fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats), proteins, and fiber. When the body breaks down these foods items, it triggers thermogenesis — a heat production — in the body.

Here in this section, we have listed down some popular nuts and seeds that are a must-have during the winter season.

• Cashew Nuts

Cashew nuts are rich in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids. These healthy fats help trigger thermogenesis in your body to stay warm through the winter. Packed with minerals and antioxidants, these white nuts also boost the immune system.

Tip: Add cashews to your pohas, idlis, pulaos, and veggies to make them more delicious and more nutritious in winter!

• Almonds

The best sources of proteins, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese, vitamin B2, and vitamin E, almonds give the power to fight the cough and cold that are usually the common things in winter. These nuts also prevent the occurrence of stones in the kidneys and help in reducing the cholesterol levels in the body.

Tip: Dry roast them, soak them, add them to salads or just grab a handful to snack on. Ensure you don’t peel the skin of the almonds since they are rich in antioxidants! 

• Walnuts

A good source of  omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and proteins, these nuts moisturizes the skin and gives it a nice glow.  Rich in antioxidants, almonds also boosts the immune system, prevents inflammatory symptoms, and enhances brainpower.

Tip: Add walnuts to your salads, cakes, cookies, or just snack on them whole to ride out the cold weather.

• Pistachios

Extremely flavorful, these nuts repair the skin cells and prevent it from looking flaky and wrinkly during winter. Rich in vitamin B6, potassium and other nutrients, pistachios help induce weight loss, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and improve blood circulation too.

Tip: Pistachios make a great addition to curries, salads, and desserts.

• Flax Seeds

• Sesame seeds

Tip: You can add these seeds to oats, salads, cakes, pudding, etc.  You can also consume laddoos, chikkis, made of  sesame seeds -  as they are best to relish during the winters.

• Chia Seeds

Due to the abundant amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids,  fibers, and beneficial nutrients which reside in it, these seeds help prevent heart disease. They help you feel full until your next meal, balances out blood sugar levels, and give your body a boost of energy.

Tip: Add them to your bowl of breakfast cereal or yoghurt or blend them with milk into a delicious and healthy smoothie. You can also include chia in your yummy muffin recipes. 

Nuts and seeds are affordable and easily available in the market. Nature’s miraculous food item, it provides everything you need to survive during the winter seasons.

Include these nutrient-rich, low-calorie super foods in your winter diet and emerge from winters, feeling healthy and rejuvenated.