Effects of the Winter Season on Our Body

We have already discussed about various wintertime seasonal regimes as prescribed by Ayurveda. In this article let’s focus on Diet during winters. The 4 months of winter come with an increased strength (Bala) as compared to the other 8 months of the year. Each one of us will experience our best strength during winters. Also due to concentrated Digestive fire (Agni), our appetite will be at its best during winters.

Eating the right food and following the right food habits becomes important in winter as it is in any other season. If you are exercising or practicing Asanas through the winters ( which is highly recommended ) make sure you eat adequately and enough unctuous food to give you energy and to maintain the lubrication in the joints for such physical activity. Similar lubrication is also required for the breath practices like pranayama.

Optimum health can be achieved during winters through balancing the doshas according to our natural rhythms and cycles by following Ayurvedic guidelines on seasonal dietary and lifestyle tips.

What are the dietary tips for adults during winters?

Drink Warm Water

Only warm water should be used for drinking during winters. water that is boiled and cooled to a warm temperature is the best way to consume water. Though this is to be practiced throughout the year, it becomes more relevant during winters. Hot /warm water should also be used for bathing, washing etc. Avoid touching cold water.

Oils to Use in Cooking

Oils that create warm in the body are best during winters. Sesame oil is regarded the best but any other similar heating oils like mastard oil etc. can also be used. Sesame oil can be used for both cooking and for body massage in winters.

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Grains to be Consumed

Fresh grains as against old grains are to be consumed during winters. heating cereals like wheat, black gram should be preferred over cooling ones like barley.

Taste of the food

Sweet, Sour and Salty tastes should be preferred over Bitter, Pungent, Astringent tastes. This rule is based of dosha dominance in winter and ways to counter the excessive doshas. Natural food with these preferred tastes are ideal to counter many winter maladies.

Liquid Consumption

Wines and a fermented liquid prepared from ripened fruits called Seedhu, should be taken along with honey. Ginger tea and other such heating herbs and spice teas should be consumed regularly.

Warm Milk and its processed products like ghee should be consumed liberally in winters.

Meats to be eaten

Seafood like fish, crab, etc. can be consumed as these provide warmth in the body after consuming. The flesh of animals with some fat, meat soups etc. are also recommended as good food to be consumed in winters.

Things to avoid during winters

It is best to avoid fasting during winters and partake in consuming the above mentioned food. Also, avoid eating light, gas inducing, vata foods like excess peanuts, chickpeas, popcorns, green salads etc.
Its quite common a put a few pounds by eating the above foods but this is essential to beat harsh cold winters. You can always shed some weight soon after winter. At the same time, overdoing the above winter food routines may increase obesity and create more health problems. knowing that limits of healthy weight gain in winters is the key to emerging healthy on the other side of winter. Also Avoid excess spices, bitter and astringent tasting foods during this season.

Transition Period Between Seasons

Be cautious about the two-week transition period between seasons. Make sure you adapt the above food habits very graduating as you move from autumn to early winter and in the same way, change to spring season food habits gradually and diligently. Some of the food recommended above are best consumed in winters and should be avoided in other seasons else will cause ill health even if you are consuming them fresh and in right quantity.