Beat the chill: AYUSH ministry's top tips for a healthy winter

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Keeping the body healthy and fit during the harsh winter is challenging. Cold waves, fog, and melting snow can cause many physical problems. The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, has provided simple tips for maintaining good health during this season.

According to the ministry, choose seasonal and local foods. Include grains like millet, sorghum, maize, barley, and ragi in your diet. Consume milk, green vegetables, and seasonal fruits. Eat warm and fresh foods, including jaggery and ghee. Avoid cold foods like ice cream or cold drinks. These small changes can make winter comfortable and healthy.

The ministry also advises on lifestyle changes tailored to the seasons. Regularly following these guidelines not only helps you stay fit during the winter but also improves your health year-round. Experts believe that adopting local and seasonal foods also helps maintain harmony with the environment.

Based on the principles of Ayurveda, these recommendations emphasize diet to keep the body warm and strengthen the immune system. Experts recommend prioritizing seasonal and local foods during winter. Include whole grains like millet, sorghum, maize, barley, and ragi in your diet. Consume milk, green vegetables, and seasonal fruits alongside these. These nutrients provide energy to the body and help fight the cold.

The ministry recommends choosing freshly prepared foods this winter. Include traditional foods like jaggery and sorghum in your diet. Jaggery keeps the body warm and is a good source of iron, while grains like sorghum improve digestion and provide nutrition.

Also pay attention to cooking methods. Use the right amount of oil or ghee in your meals during winter. Ghee provides strength and warmth to the body, and strengthens joints. Natural sweeteners like jaggery and honey are also beneficial. They increase body heat and strengthen immunity. Eating fresh, warm food promotes good digestion and reduces the risk of catching a cold.

The most important advice is to avoid cold foods. Avoid eating or drinking very cold foods, such as ice cream, cold drinks, or cold water from the refrigerator, during the winter. These can reduce body heat and worsen problems like colds and flu.