With the holidays behind us and those long winter months ahead, now is the perfect time to boost your energy, lose those extra few pounds and lift your mood with seasonal foods that will satisfy.
Here are my top 5 winter favorites:
Clementines: Citrus is a total mood booster! The scent alone can transport you down south where the sun is shining and the weather is warm. They may look little, but they are power packed with nutrients. Clementines are a great source of cancer-kicking limonoids, immune boosting vitamin C and inflammation fighting zeaxanthin.
Persimmons: These often overlooked tiny orange fruits are full of fiber and antioxidants. They are in season from late fall until early winter. If you can’t find them in the produce aisle, you can get them dried from one of my favorite companies, Just Tomatoes.
Beets: Nothing beats roasted beets! These deeply colored vegetables are the a great addition to salads and side dishes. Beets get their color from betalains, a pigment which is known to reduce inflammation and support the body’s detox system. (In order to preserve the delicate nutrients, keep roasting time under an hour.)
Broccoli and Broccoli Raab: When thinking about the nutritional benefit of broccoli, people tend to think about it’s anti-cancer effect. But studies show that this cruciferous superfood also imparts heart healthy benefits. Properties in broccoli can protect the lining of blood vessels, decrease cholesterol and lower levels of homocysteine.
Parsnips: A close relative of carrots, this uniquely white root vegetable is rich in b vitamins, iron, calcium and potassium. Try them mashed with potatoes, raw in a salad or roasted with onions, garlic, carrots, and brussels sprouts.
Instead of packing on those winter pounds, pack your body full of nutrient rich superfoods! Learn how to put them all together with my Winter Meal Plan which is filled with the best-of-the-best foods for the season. Eat Real Food, Feel Real Good!!!
