Candy potatoes are packed filled with vitamin A which helps assist the immune system and eye well being in addition to digestive well being. You may learn extra concerning the well being advantages of candy potato or strive making this spiced hen, spinach & candy potato stew.
2. Carrots
Carrots include fibre, vitamin K1, beta-carotene (vitamin A) and in addition quite a few antioxidants which assist assist well being similar to reducing ldl cholesterol. Tremendous versatile, do that easy but scrumptious carrot & ginger soup or roasted carrot, spelt, fennel & blood orange salad for a lunch or mild dinner.
3. Crimson cabbage
Crimson cabbage isn’t only for Christmas! It’s an excellent supply of vitamin Ok, which we want for wholesome blood clotting, and in addition incorporates some magnesium, calcium and zinc required for sturdy bones and enamel. How about making an attempt this pink cabbage with Bramley apple & walnuts or mulled pink cabbage with clementines for a more healthy aspect dish.
4. Pomegranate
Pomegranates are most identified for his or her excessive antioxidant and flavonoid content material which assist defend cells from injury. These antioxidants might also assist forestall most cancers and scale back the chance of coronary heart illness. Attempt a winter salad with this feta, beetroot & pomegranate salad or make this quinoa stew with squash, prunes & pomegranate for a wholesome dinner.
5. Turnips
Sure, turnip is a superfood because it incorporates glucosinolates which can assist forestall sure kinds of most cancers, together with breast and prostate. Turnips additionally include lutein which is a crucial antioxidant for eye well being. Prepare dinner turnip on this roasted roots & sage soup or maybe this high-fibre vegetable balti dish.
6. Tangerines
This winter citrus fruit is a sort of mandarin orange and regardless of its smaller measurement is packed filled with nutritional vitamins, together with nutritional vitamins A, C and B6. The mandarin can be wealthy in antioxidants in each its peel and its flesh, which have collectively been discovered to assist defend the mind and scale back the chance of continual well being situations similar to sort 2 diabetes and coronary heart illness. This chilli & tangerine braised lentils makes for a wholesome aspect dish or a vegan fundamental course.
7. Beetroot
Beetroot is a winter jewel that’s full of important vitamins, such a potassium and iron, which assist assist wholesome blood stream and blood strain. Beetroot additionally incorporates nitric oxide, which helps improve blood stream to your muscle groups, bettering train efficiency.
8. Horseradish
A cruciferous vegetable, like broccoli or cabbage, horseradish earns its superfood standing from its pure antibacterial and anti-cancer properties. Get 4 of your 5-a-day on this steak, beetroot, horseradish & heat lentil salad.
9. Butternut squash
Butternut squash isn’t solely excessive in fibre, but in addition a wealthy supply of nutritional vitamins A and C, which helps with each immune and eye well being. It’s additionally an excellent supply of antioxidants which analysis signifies might help enhance reminiscence and scale back the chance of cognitive decline. Do this squash, hen & couscous one-pot or Moroccan chickpea, squash & cavolo nero stew for a midweek meal.
10. Parsnips
Parsnips are an amazing supply of fibre which can assist enhance wholesome levels of cholesterol. Containing potassium, vitamin C and folate, parsnips are vital for the formulation and development of wholesome blood cells. How a few curried lentil, parsnip & apple soup or a spiced parsnip & cauliflower soup to maintain the winter chills away.
11. Brussels sprouts
Love them or hate them, brussels sprouts are a superfood, due to their high-nutrient and fibre content material. One serving of brussels sprouts can offer you most of your every day vitamin Ok necessities, and their fibre and antioxidant content material could assist hold your digestive system working easily. Do this chilli-charred brussels sprouts recipe or toasted sesame sprouts for a extra flavoursome aspect.
12. Kale
In all probability one of many extra well-known superfoods, kale is in season within the winter months. It’s presumably one of the nutrient-dense greens round because it’s packed filled with useful vitamins. Its antioxidants have been related to coronary heart well being, decrease blood strain, anti-cancer and anti-depressant advantages, to call just a few. Get your whole 5-a-day with this scrumptious chilli & ginger squash with kale & quinoa recipe or how a few twist on brunch with this mushroom brunch recipe.
13. Cranberries
We’re speaking concerning the precise berries right here, quite than cranberry juice which could be excessive in sugar. Cranberries have lengthy been identified to assist in the prevention of urinary tract infections, however they might additionally provide some profit to gastric ulcers and coronary heart well being, due to their excessive antioxidant content material. Rustle up this rustic braised beef with cranberries & spices for a scrumptious night meal or spot of weekend entertaining.
14. Pears
UK pears are in season from September to January. In addition to being excessive in fibre and vitamin C, pears are literally an amazing dietary supply of the minerals copper and potassium which we want for a wholesome immune system, levels of cholesterol and coronary heart perform. Impress visitors with this griddled pear with goat’s cheese & hazelnut dressing as a starter or make this excellent winter heat beet, chorizo & pear salad.
15. Walnuts
Formed just like the mind for a purpose, walnuts are a superb supply of the important fatty acid omega-3. Actually, they include extra omega-3 – which has been proven to assist with bettering moods and lowering despair – than every other nut. Walnuts additionally include the vital antioxidant vitamin E, which analysis signifies helps scale back the chance of cognitive decline and improves mind perform. Burn up leftover Christmas turkey with this turkey salad with grapes & walnuts or begin your mornings with walnut & almond muesli with grated apple.
16. Mushrooms
Whether or not wild or cultivated, winter is mushroom season and with that comes numerous well being advantages. Mushrooms have been proven to assist lower the chance of most cancers they usually’re one of many few meals sources of vitamin D which is significant for wholesome bones and immunity. Actually, do you know that leaving your mushrooms on the windowsill in daylight helps to improve their vitamin D content material? Mushrooms are tremendous versatile and work brilliantly on this hearty mushroom soup and in a spelt & mushroom risotto.
17. Cauliflower
Whether or not it’s white, inexperienced or purple, the cauliflower is an on a regular basis superfood. It incorporates numerous heart-friendly antioxidants and can be a supply of choline which we rely to control our reminiscence and temper. You may learn extra concerning the well being advantages of cauliflower and do that pink cabbage, cauliflower & coconut dahl containing two of your winter superfoods.
18. Salsify
Salsify is a root vegetable that has an oyster-like flavour when cooked. It belongs to the dandelion household and appears like an extended, skinny parsnip with creamy white flesh on the within and a darkish, thick pores and skin on the surface. Salsify is an effective supply of iron, which might help assist wholesome hair development in addition to pink blood cell formation. This vegetable additionally incorporates vital minerals for kidney well being, together with potassium, calcium and sodium. Attempt these scrumptious salsify crumpets for a breakfast or mild lunch.
19. Purple sprouting broccoli
Purple sprouting broccoli is packed filled with carotenoids, present in carrots and different pink, orange and yellow vegetables and fruit. Carotenoids have anti-inflammatory properties that assist to cut back the chance of continual illness and assist enhance cognitive perform and coronary heart well being. Do this Asian-inspired dish with salmon, purple sprouting broccoli and candy potato mash or whip up a purple sprouting broccoli with garlic & sesame as a aspect dish.
20. Savoy cabbage
Savoy cabbage is a wealthy supply of vitamin C, an antioxidant that helps defend the physique and the mind from continual illness. It additionally performs an vital function in collagen formation, thereby serving to to maintain joints wholesome. Make this wholesome aspect dish of savoy cabbage with almonds or maybe do that French dish of one-pot cabbage & beans with white fish.
21. Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a cruciferous vegetable and incorporates nutritional vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that assist normal well being. It’s a very good supply of vitamin B6 that helps scale back irritation in addition to the chance of continual illnesses similar to heart problems and most cancers. Vitamin B6 might also assist with combatting despair and bettering moods. Kohlrabi is nice in a crunchy slaw. Do this peppery kohlrabi slaw or beetroot-cured cod with fennel & kohlrabi slaw for inspiration.
22. Leeks
The common-or-garden leek packs a robust punch relating to superfood standing. Leeks include all kinds of vitamins together with nutritional vitamins A, C and K1, in addition to health-promoting antioxidants similar to kaempferol which has been linked with a decrease danger of coronary heart assaults. You may’t go unsuitable with a leek, pea & watercress soup or how about pairing with Brussels sprouts for this creamy sprout, hazelnut & leek pasta.
23. Celery
Celery is a powerhouse relating to antioxidants and only one stalk of celery incorporates a minimum of 12 sorts of antioxidant vitamins. Thus celery is useful for serving to defend cells towards free radical injury, which might trigger illness long-term, bettering cardiovascular well being and lowering hypertension. How a few celery salad for lunch or as a snack or a dinner of hen with braised celery & cider.
24. Celeriac
Associated to celery, celeriac is a root vegetable and an amazing supply of all-important fibre which helps enhance digestion and defend towards such situations as colon most cancers. Celeriac can be an excellent supply of vitamin C, particularly when eaten uncooked. Vitamin C is vital for a lot of causes, selling wholesome immune perform, and wholesome joints. Check out our prime 10 celeriac recipes for some inspiration for this winter vegetable.
25. Jerusalem artichokes
A wealthy supply of iron which helps to advertise wholesome blood stream and forestall situations similar to anaemia, Jerusalem artichokes additionally include potassium which helps regulate blood strain. This root vegetable is wealthy in phytonutrients for anti-fungal, anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant advantages. Levels of cholesterol, immune perform and the digestive system are all supported. Indulge on this truffled Jerusalem artichoke soup or buttered Jerusalem artichokes as a aspect dish.
26. Swiss chard
A darkish inexperienced leafy vegetable, Swiss chard, like kale, is packed filled with vitamins together with vitamin Ok which helps enhance bone well being, lowering the chance of fractures in situations like osteoporosis. Attempt baked Swiss chard alongside your Sunday roast or pair it with seasonal kohlrabi on this Swiss chard & kohlrabi with lemon sauce.
27. Spring onions
Once you consider summer season salads, spring onions would possibly spring to thoughts. However spring onions really come into season initially of the yr. A member of the allium household of onions and garlic, spring onions have a gentle, candy style, and have been proven to defend towards most cancers due to their excessive antioxidant and flavonoid content material. Do this vegan teriyaki tofu with charred spring onions or how about steamed fish with ginger & spring onion.
28. Watercress
Watercress incorporates highly effective antioxidants together with beta-carotene, the plant type of vitamin A. Beta-carotene has been linked to a decrease danger of cell injury which might help scale back the chance of continual illnesses similar to arthritis. Different advantages of watercress embody safety of blood vessels and kidneys, in addition to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial actions. Increase your mashed potato with this watercress mashed potato recipe or go all out in your greens with a spinach & watercress soup.
29. Chestnuts
This winter nut has a candy style and comes with a complete host of antioxidising well being advantages. Lutein and zeaxanthin have been proven to assist defend eyes from blue mild injury; whereas gallic acid and ellagic acid improve in focus when cooked. Magnesium and potassium minerals assist scale back your danger of cardiovascular points, similar to coronary heart illness or stroke. Do this winter hotter of roasted squash, pancetta & chestnut risotto or jazz up your roasts with thyme & chestnut roast potatoes.
30. Quince
Quince is a pear-like fruit that have to be cooked earlier than consuming. It incorporates vital antioxidants that assist scale back irritation, whereas defending once more sure cancers and ulcers. Use quince on this scrumptious one-pot of candy spiced lamb shanks with quince or strive it on this scrumptious dessert – quince crumble tart.
Loved this? Take a look at our different useful guides
5 of the perfect price range superfoods
Prime 15 wholesome breakfast concepts
Is granola wholesome?
Wholesome vegetarian concepts
Wholesome snacks for work