Healthy Winter Foods

Healthy winter foods are in abundance throughout the colder weather, however most people take it as a given that there isn't anything but tough, and mealy out of season fruits and veggies that aren't at all appealing to purchase much less eat. However, if you walk away from the fresh produce aisle and head down to the frozen foods case, you'll find a wealth of nutrition and taste in frozen packages of all kinds. Here's a few suggestions as given in the February 2011 issue of Runner's World.

Brussel Sprouts

My personal favorite veggie, and for good reason. This superfood is known for it's super packed nutrient content. Starting with potassium, vitamin C, and good doses of folate. Potassium is vital for fluid balance, especially important to those that are active, and helps to keep the muscular system contracting and relaxing as it should. Pick some up in the frozen case and serve more of them during the winter months with other whole foods that nourish.

Winter Squash

If beta carotene is what you need, this healthy winter food has got you covered there. Beta carotene is converted by the body to Vitamin A, further making winter squash a valuable and healthy winter food to get through the cold weather with. Not only is the Vitamin A valuable, but the quality carbohydrate content in this superb food can't be denied.

Blackberries

With twice the antioxidant power of blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries, you won't have any problem keeping away those free radicals with this food. According to the article in Runner's World, the nutritional content in blackberries includes eight grams of fiber combined with manganese to keep your bones and connective tissue healthy and in tact. Keep of few frozen packages of this nutrient rich food handy to add to smoothies or cereal all winter.

Sliced Mango

If you're big on food from the tropics, hunt down some frozen mango this winter. Rich in Vitamin C and B-6, important for helping your body to create hemoglobin, you'll be in good standing with your health for the winter. The powerful antioxidants in mango are also helpful for fighting the free radicals that facilitate a cancerous environment.

Healthy winter foods can be found at your local grocer, you just have to look for them in the frozen case rather than the produce department. Make the frozen food aisle one of your regular stops everytime you shop this winter to keep your health in good standing during cold and flu season and beyond.