Healthy meals with foods that keep you warm
Make the most out of these frigid temperatures by taking your talents to the kitchen.
Make the most out of these frigid temperatures by taking your talents to the kitchen.
There are certain foods - such as nuts, whole grains and ginger - that are scientifically proven to warm you up, and many of them are the perfect ingredients for a fresh, wholesome meal.
We've found some hearty recipes for you to cook this week that use each of those foods and more. All are less than 300 calories:
Monday: Zucchini rice casserole
Whole grains fuel your body with energy, which warms you up. The grains in this meal – brown rice – replaces white rice and provides more fiber. For an even bigger nutritional boost, extra veggies are mixed in and turkey sausage is used instead of pork.
Per serving: 248 calories 9g fat, 29g carbohydrates, 13g protein, 2g fiber
Tuesday: Green tea teriyaki chicken
Green tea is also known to warm your body due to its combination of caffeine and health-boosting flavonoids. In this low-fat recipe, green tea is used for an Asian-inspired sauce.
Per serving: 184 calories 3g fat, 16g carbohydrates, 24g protein
Wednesday: Chili spiced soup with stoplight peppers and avocado relish
One of the easiest ways to warm up is with a bowl of soup. Try this Mexican recipe, which has all the flavors of a fajita minus the high-carb tortilla.
Per serving: 285 calories 9.6g fat, 23.1g carbohydrates, 27.2g protein, 5.5g fiber
Thursday: Ginger coconut chicken
Ginger can boost your metabolism and increase your blood circulation, which also warms your body up. This Indian-flavored recipe includes ginger, split peas and Thai chilies, and is less than 200 calories per serving!
Per serving: 152 calories 3g fat, 4g carbohydrates, 27g protein, 1g fiber
Friday: Almond and lemon-crusted fish with spinach
Nuts are another type of food that can increase body heat because of the healthier monosaturated and polyunsaturated fats they contain. Almonds are your source of nuts in this protein-packed fish and spinach recipe.
Per serving: 249 calories 13g fat, 8g carbohydrates, 28g protein, 4g fiber