The 10 best winter fruits you should eat to stay healthy this season
You may not have realized it at first or have not yet correlated your suddenly faulty immune system with your exposure to sunlight, but you are not getting sicker simply because it is colder outside. You are buying your local superstore out of tissues because the nutrients you get from being outdoors are not in your winter diet! Take a look at our list of the top 10 winter fruits you need in your diet this winter to decrease the number of sick days you take and increase your overall health and happiness.
1. Grapefruits
Topping the list of fruits is the sweet, juicy, and delicious grapefruit. This seasonal fruit ripens in January and is jam-packed with Vitamin C! Vitamin C helps bulk up your immune system, fortify your bones, and heal your injuries faster and grapefruit is packed full of Vitamin C, as well as Vitamin A.This winter fruit can be topped with sugar to make it taste a little less acidic. Cottage cheese is also a great topping!
2. Pears
Pears are not packed with Vitamin C or A or even D, but dietary fiber. Fiber is known to assist in digestion, lower cholesterol levels, and help in weight loss! If you’re trying to figure out a way to lose the holiday pounds, add this winter fruit to your diet for a low-calorie, weight loss aid snack!
3. Pomegranates
A goddess among fruit, the pomegranate is not only known for its legendary origins, but it’s sheer number of health benefits that range from containing tons of antioxidants to aiding in the prevention of certain cancers. Add pomegranates to your winter diet and enjoy the health benefits and sweet-sour taste of every scrumptious seed. You can even down a glass of pomegranate juice if you’re on the go this winter.
4. Oranges
This wouldn’t be a robust list of winter fruits without the orange. You are going to want to make oranges, and any other citrus produce for that matter, your go-to snack food. Oranges, while not necessarily winter crops, are always available and always a good option. Certain orange juices are fortified with Vitamin D in addition to the other nutrients you get from straight citrus. Be on the lookout so that you can get your daily dose of sunshine in a cup.
5. Bananas
Maybe you’ve heard that humans share nearly 50% of their DNA with bananas, but taking a bite out of this fruit isn’t considered cannibalistic; it’s actually encouraged! Extremely cheap and seemingly always in season, bananas are a great source of potassium, which helps decrease anxiety and stress levels, and B-6, which helps fortify and build cells. You can even slice it and pair it with other winter fruits on this list to make a yummy fruit cup.
6. Cranberries
High in antioxidants and nutrients, cranberries are a rather small food that packs a lot of punch. Cranberries assist in the prevention of certain cancers, heart diseases, and inflammation. If you are wanting to fight off your chances of catching a winter cold or life-threatening disease, try cranberries. Use the cranberries served at Thanksgiving as a springboard into adding this winter fruit to your diet at least once a week.
7. Pineapple
It may be hard to find a really good pineapple at your local supermarket, but if you have the opportunity to, especially during the winter, do it! Pineapple is chock full of Vitamin C and manganese, a nutrient that helps in the formation of bones and regulating blood sugar. If you’re in the mood for a winter getaway, why not head to Hawaii and visit the Dole Plantation? You can get sunshine while snacking on this great winter fruit
8. Persimmons
The persimmon is a fruit that might not be on your radar no matter the season, but you’ll want to quickly get acquainted with this superfood fast. This small, tomato-esque fruit is known to aid in maintaining a healthy heart, keep your digestive system working smoothly, and strengthen your eyesight. Not to mention, they are yummy and go well with a lot of recipes!
9. Kiwis
You may know oranges for their vitamin C and bananas for their potassium content, but the kiwi has them beat in both categories as well as providing Vitamin E and K on top of it all! Kiwis are flavorful, healthy, and unique. Throw a few of these fuzzy little fruits into your cart to fight off that cold weather cold. You can even throw kiwis and any other winter fruit on this list into a blender for a healthy smoothie!
10. Apples
The old adage “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is not too far off from the truth. Apples are likened to superfoods as they are filled with so many nutrients it seems impossible that one little fruit could help so much, but it does! From Vitamin B, which maintains RBC count, to antioxidants, which help ward off diseases, the apple will keep you out of the doctor’s office this winter. You might opt for a warm mug of apple cider on cold winter days.
The key, as with any diet, is to be well-balanced. Make sure that you are meeting your daily values, starting with this list of fruits, to keep your belly full and your body strong this winter. Adding any or all winter fruits on this list to your daily diet can have so many health benefits. Before long, your immune system will be fighting off colds like a champ and you’ll be beach body ready!
