When the sun is shining and the days are warm, it’s easy to eat salad for lunch most days and to sip on fruity smoothies. As the weather closes in, it feels harder to eat healthy–not only can our mood take a dip, finding enough fresh produce in the shops can be challenging. Here are three ways to ensure you’re eating well over the darker months.
Dried Fruit
Dried fruits, such as figs, apricots and dates, are high in sugar, so a 30 gram serving per day is recommended (this equates to about two dates). However, these fruits are also very high in antioxidants, vitamins and iron (which can help combat the fatigue many of us feel during winter). Chop them up into porridge, eat them with a slice of cheese, or simply pop a few pieces of dried fruit into your mouth for a mid-morning snack.
Tinned Pulses
Although soaking dried beans, lentils and chickpeas arguably leads to tastier, more succulent results, sometimes you just don’t have the time required. Open a tin of chickpeas or lentils, fry up an onion with some ginger and garlic, add some spices and soon you’ll have a homemade vegetable curry on the table to warm you up on a cold night. Pulses provide protein and fiber, and are a filling, low fat option to bulk out meals.
Frozen Greens
Green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and cabbage are amongst the healthiest foods we can eat. If you’re cooking a winter vegetable soup, throw in a few pieces of frozen spinach, or stir frozen broccoli florets through a stir fry for an easy nutrient boost. If you’re making a gravy to eat alongside a roast, blitzing some frozen spinach through can lend a delicious flavor and a real health boost.
Although eating the rainbow is harder during the winter months, it’s not impossible. Turn to dried, canned and frozen options to expand the fruit and vegetables available to you, and get creative in your kitchen.
