Winter is sweeping across South Africa, and the colder temperatures often usher in a different set of lifestyle patterns and eating habits.
Many enjoy having a good reason for later wake-up calls, more snuggling up, tucking into comfort foods and warming up with extra hot drinks.
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Compromised immunity
However, the colder environment boosts the survival and longevity of infectious cold and flu viruses, and our closer contact in indoor settings can facilitate an easier spread of respiratory viruses.
If you are spending less time outdoors in the sunshine, you may also experience a drop in vitamin D levels which is essential to optimal immune system functioning.
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Calorie compromise
As we adapt to the changing season, we need to bear in mind the impact on our lifestyles and accordingly adjust our nutritional needs.
If there’s a drop in our levels of daily physical activity, then it is likely there is also a dip in our daily energy requirements. It is important to be mindful that in our efforts to keep warm, we are not taking in more energy than we use.
Here’s an evidence-based roadmap for navigating nutrition this winter from Registered Dietitians, Mpho Tshukudu and Maryke Gallagher, both spokespeople for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA).
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
Both Mpho and Maryke point out that the warming ‘comfort foods’ we tend to prefer in winter can still be healthy, balanced meals.
Maryke says, “Warm foods such as stews, soups, casseroles and curries can also be healthy, nutrient dense and help with weight maintenance. The non-starchy vegetables that are so crucial to healthy eating are delicious ingredients that enhance the aromas, flavours and textures of winter dishes.
If you’re aware that you are shopping for less salad ingredients in winter, then make sure you are instead stocking up regularly with more vegetables across the colour spectrum such as carrots, baby marrows, brinjals, mushrooms, sweet peppers, onions, garlic, ginger, broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and kale.
Winter dishes also lend themselves well to adding legumes such as beans, lentils and chickpeas which are rich in fibre and plant-based protein.
When you are making winter soups, curries and pasta sauces pack in as many different non starchy vegetables and legumes as you can. Use a tomato base and plant-based oils such as olive and avocado oils instead of butter or cream. It’s also a good time to focus on using herbs and warming spices in your recipes. Some of these can help curb food cravings and boost the nutrient density of your winter meals.” she continues.
Avoid mindless snacking
It’s also important to stick to a regular eating pattern and avoid constant snacking or ‘grazing’. Before you reach for a snack, be mindful of your hydration level as we often reduce our water intake in winter, and it becomes easier to mistake thirst cues for hunger.
The same basics of healthy eating should be maintained during the colder months. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruit every day, choose the whole-grain options whenever you can and limit highly processed foods that are high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.
Sip smartly
Hot drinks are a particular pleasure and comfort in winter, but that’s not a good reason to increase your caffeine and sugar intake.
Hot water simply infused with a slice of lemon or ginger is hydrating and delicious and a popular winter favourite. Be mindful of drinking enough plain water.
Maryke advises, “Limit milky and creamy hot drinks and rather try out unsweetened caffeine-free teas such as rooibos, as well as fruit, spice and herbal infusions. Ingredients such as ginger, cloves and turmeric are immune-supporting and spices like cinnamon help to curb sweet cravings, so add them to herbal teas like rooibos.”
Support your immune system
While there’s no one proven food or food supplement that can “boost” the immune system, there are a range of nutrients that support immune function and health. Both dietitians emphasise the importance of a balanced diet consisting mainly of minimally processed whole foods to ensure that you benefit from those nutrients.
Key nutrients that support immune health include:
- Vitamin C: Found in foods like broccoli, citrus, guavas and bell peppers. It enhances iron absorption, so pair vitamin C-rich foods with iron-rich ones.
- Vitamin D: Exposure to sunlight is important for the body to synthesise vitamin D. Food sources include oily fish, eggs, and enriched foods.
- Vitamin A: Important for respiratory health. It is found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Have anti-inflammatory properties and are found in fish, like salmon and plant sources like flaxseeds and chia seeds.
- Probiotics and Prebiotics: Support gut health and overall immunity. Probiotic-rich foods include yoghurt and fermented vegetables, while prebiotics are found in foods like garlic, onions, and asparagus.
- Zinc: Found in shellfish, legumes, seeds, and nuts. It supports immune cell function and respiratory health.
Supplement support
When it comes to zinc supplementation and upper respiratory infection, Maryke points out, “Research has shown that zinc supplementation might help to stave off respiratory infection symptoms and cut illness duration, but quality of evidence is variable, and there is currently no clarity on optimal formulation or dosage.”
A pooled analysis of 28 clinical trials involving 5446 adults with respiratory tract infections showed that zinc supplementation in the form of zinc acetate or zinc gluconate salts helped to reduce symptoms severity by day 3 of infection and reduced the overall duration of illness. Other studies included in this research paper showed no difference in risk of developing infection and cold symptoms or duration of illness.
“These findings are promising, but more research is needed in this area. Prioritising food sources of immune supporting nutrients is important, and it is best to discuss supplementation with a registered dietitian who can assess your individual needs and make recommendations on the use of supplements.”
Staying healthy during winter involves more than just avoiding colds and flu. By adjusting your diet to include immune-supporting nutrients, maintaining physical activity, and supporting mental health through balanced meals and sufficient sleep, you set yourself up for a healthier and more enjoyable winter season.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
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