Winter is here! Brrr!
Living in NYC, we just experienced our first winter storm! It was beautiful to watch the snow come down! I can’t tell you how many people I saw playing in the fresh powdery snow. I kept thinking that everyone (even wearing their masks) were trying to dance the pandemic away!
Did you know that during the winter months, the body needs more vitamins and minerals to withstand the cold. And vegetables are rich in vitamin C and other useful minerals that the body needs to fight off illnesses and maintain good health. (For those of you reading this who may have escaped the cold weather, it is still important, even in a warm climate to make certain you load your plate with fruits and vegetables).
So, what are some of the healthiest vegetables to eat now?
Cabbage- growing up I only ever ate cabbage as stuffed with meat and rice! Well, there are a variety of ways to enjoy this hearty vegetable from raw in a salad to cooked in a soup or stew. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals and can reduce inflammation. For a great recipe click here.
Winter squash- This vegetable protects the body from heart disease, cancers and diabetes. I love roasting this vegetable and adding it to salads or boiling it for a hearty soup. For a healthy salad recipe click here.
Brussel sprouts- a small but mighty vegetable that is rich in nutrients especially in vitamin K which is critical for bone health.
Carrots- a vegetable that is great for your eyes and packed with vitamin A and has powerful antioxidants that protect against certain cancers.
Swiss Chard- a dark green leafy vegetable that has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and contains antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
It is so important to eat healthy and stay healthy! For more information and support, contact me at rachel@livehealthynyc.com