3 Winter Dishes That’ll Make You Happy and Keep You Healthy

For some, winter is the best time of the year. More nights sat inside in front of a fire and more time to read that book that’s been catching your eye for months. This time of year demands warm comfort food to overcome those winter chills, it’s a really important time to make a conscious effort to look after your health too as the harsher weather can really take its toll on your immune system.

Here are a few essential winter meals for you to try, because not only do they taste great but they’re also great for your health and well being too. Here are three winter dishes that are sure to put a smile on your face and keep you feeling good.

Chinese Wonton Soup

 This dish dates back to times in ancient China when it was common to eat wontons on very cold winter days. Famous doctor Zhang Zhongjing would stuff the wonton with medicines to cure villagers with frostbite. Today, wonton soup is an extremely popular winter dish. It usually contains bok choy which contains a large amount of calcium and helps maintain healthy digestion.

You can also add carrots, fresh spinach or mushrooms to a traditional recipe depending on your tastes. Spinach in particular has a wealth of nutritional benefits as it is rich in iron and a great source of vitamin K, which is important for bone health. There are a large variety of very simple recipes out there for this dish but if you don’t feel like cooking this winter then you could always order from your local Chinese restaurant. To take a look at their menus, click here for US readers or here for UK.

 Beetroot and Butternut Squash Stew

 There are many ways to cook this dish and it is also a real favorite among vegetarians. It is packed with foods for your 5-a day and tastes delicious – this is a must-try recipe. Many people choose to make this dish with ordinary beetroot which has recently been claimed to help reduce high blood pressure and improve your exercise performance, but you can also use golden beetroot which has the same benefits but gives a bit of extra spice. If you want a little extra from your stew, consider serving with brown rice for all that whole grain goodness.

Leek and Bacon Pasta

 Pasta is a brilliant comfort food for winter and is always quick and easy to make.  You can use any shape of pasta for this dish and, for added health benefits, add leeks too as they are known to prevent heart disease and maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Bacon is a well-loved family favorite and can be grilled to reduce fat. Many recipes use a cheese sauce for this dish which really adds to the flavor but if you’re looking for a healthier option, just use low-fat milk and flour to make a lighter cheese sauce which will taste just as good.

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