*Every Friday is all about food on Red Cross Talks – everything from Red Cross inspired recipes to emergency food tips and solutions.
It’s that time of year: time to once again pull out the winter coats and boots from the closet and put on a toque, mitts and perhaps two layers of socks before heading outdoors. Winter is on its way, if not here already! Some parts of the country already have the white fluffy stuff on the ground (I don’t want to say the actual word - it begins with a S and ends with a W with a N and O in-between).
As injury prevention superstars, we know how important it is to layer-up before heading outside in the cold. But, did you know that there are some foods that can also help keep you warm when it's below zero? Here are a few:
1. Hot Peppers - anyone who’s ever had a super spicy bowl of chilli or curry knows this to be true! Capsaicin – the substance that gives the peppers their pungent flavour – causes thermogenesis (heat production within the body) thereby, increasing your body temperature. So, add one or two to what you’re cooking.
2. Ginger – helps improve circulation and also has thermogenic properties that can warm you up. It’s also a natural remedy for nausea, headaches and digestion problems. Add some to a dish or make a cup of homemade ginger tea.
3. Cinnamon – can help warm up people who are always cold or suffering from poor circulation. I like to add a bit to a cup of warm apple cider. Delish!
4. Black pepper – we add it (and its friend salt) to just about everything, but did you know that black pepper contains piperine, a substance which has been shown to create thermogenesis in the body? It’s true! Just one more reason why black pepper is a must-have pantry item this winter.
5. Dark orange vegetables – such as butternut squash, carrots and sweet potatoes can warm you up by just looking at their orange glow. They also contain immune-nourishing beta-carotene.
Here are more tips on how you can stay safe and warm in cold weather. Happy winter!