Natural heating foods
The term food comes from the Latin alere, which means "what feeds, nourishes, supports" . In fact, each food contains a greater or lesser quantity of vital energy that contributes to making our diet a panacea for health; some foods do not contain any at all and other foods imply the need for too much vital energy to digest them, assimilate them and eliminate waste, which is then that they become a burden for the organism. But it's not just about vital energy, it's about. Foods also contain heat, thermal energy originating from the fire that works on the other three elements, air, water and earth, and which we assimilate and reuse in turn.
Spices, soups and Yin and Yang
During the winter, in general in situations of cold and cold climate, the consumption of food must follow a particular attention, as happens when it is too hot. In particular, daily calories should be increased by around 10% so that our body is able to better compensate for the drop in outside temperature . Food contains thermal energy, calories. The thermal energy in the foods we consume comes originally from the sun. According to the Chinese theory Yin and Yang, in winter we should eat warming, not refreshing foods. In addition, the Chinese food science recommends starting the day with a hot breakfast . Milk, honey, jam are ideal foods. Soups and soups are optimal for giving warmth, especially vegetable and legume soups, which heat and supply the body with energy, or the nutritious miso soup. As for spices, warming spices are thyme, cardamom, which also helps fight coughs and colds, carnation, chilli, anise, marjoram, cumin, cinnamon, juniper, rosemary, pepper and ginger.
Cold, ginger and vitamins
To help our body fight against the symptoms of cooling, it is essential to integrate seasonal vegetables rich in vitamin A such as: spinach, chicory, pumpkin, radishes, courgettes, carrots, broccoli. But also onions and garlic to be consumed raw, for the remarkable antibacterial properties, and legumes such as beans, chickpeas, peas, lentils, broad beans, rich in proteins. As for fruit, the undisputed protagonist is vitamin C : green light with oranges and mandarins, lemons, clementines, kiwi. And finally hot infusions and herbal teas, not all recommended for the cold season. Infusions of mint or chamomile, which are refreshing, it is better to prefer those based on fennel, juniper, artemisia, rosemary, ginger that have warming properties. An example of herbal tea that gives warmth to the body and also acts as a natural anti-bacterial is based on ginger, lemon, cumin, cloves and cinnamon. The ginger tea usually consumed will keep sickness and colds away, giving a pleasant feeling of internal warmth!
Beware of false myths!
Remember that the 10% increase in daily calories needed to fight the cold does not mean eating or drinking what you want! In anticipation of party binges, you must always be careful not to obstruct the arteries with fat and not to overdo alcohol. It is not true that alcohol heats up, it is only the vasodilation that can give a sensation of momentary warmth, but later the sensation of cold increases even more. It is therefore the classic glass of red wine with a meal, but never exceed!
