Guide to Winter Vegetables

Winter evokes images of snuggle under the blankets and enjoying some of your favorite comfort foods. With the constant cycle of overeating because of holidays and celebrations, you tend to add a few pounds. Not to mention, cold weather may cause you to miss your outdoor workouts. Eating right, though, will help you avoid winter weight gain. Winter vegetables provide nutrition without adding to your waistline, as well as provide nutrients that fight winter bugs.

Belgian Endives

Belgian endives are part of the chicory family and grow in dark environments. While most of them are white with greenish leaves, some also have red leaves. This long vegetable contains vitamins and minerals like vitamins A, B, and C; potassium, beta-carotene, folate and selenium. You can eat them raw in salads or cook them with onions and other vegetables to make a warming soup.

Brussels Sprouts

Brussels sprouts look like tiny cabbages, another member of this vegetable family. They grow slowly over the course of approximately 30 months. Brussels sprouts proved two grams of protein per serving, and when coupled with a whole grain, they compose a complete protein. They are also rich in vitamin C, folate and vitamin A. They have a strong flavor, so you may need to acquire a taste for them.

Kale

Kale, a dark leafy green vegetable, belongs to the cruciferous family with cabbage, cauliflower and broccoli. It has a bold peppery flavor and can be eaten both raw and cooked. Raw-Food-Diet-Magazine.com says kale has cancer-fighting properties like other family members. Vitamin and mineral content includes vitamins A, C and K; manganese, calcium and copper. Nutritional benefits consist of maintaining blood sugar levels, reducing cholesterol and protecting the lungs.

Leeks

The best way to describe leeks is a mix between an onion and garlic, having a white bottom and thick tall stalk. Like onions and garlic, leeks make a flavorful garnish for dishes and make a hearty vegetable soup. Leeks also offer numerous nutritional benefits, including reducing heart attack risks and balancing cholesterol levels. Fruits & Veggies More Matters says this vegetable contains vitamin C, vitamin A and folate.

Turnips

Turnips are low-calorie starchy vegetables that come in a variety of colors. Turnips also have leaves, so you can actually eat both the leaves and the bulb. They contain antioxidants, nutrients that help your body fight inflammation and free radicals. Turnips contain nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, folic acid and vitamin C. According to Raw Diet, turnips also help reduce blood pressure and fight cancer.

Winter Squash

Winter squash varieties include acorn, banana, butternut, spaghetti, hubbard, sweet dumpling, buttercup, and turban. Pumpkin also fits into the squash family. With so many varieties and colors, you can try a new one every day of the week. They contain complex carbohydrates and fiber, which helps the digestive tract work efficiently. Vitamins found in winter squash include potassium, niacin, iron, and beta carotene. The University of Illinois Extension Vegetable Directory says beta carotene turns into vitamin A, promoting healthy skin, vision and bones.

Just because the weather outside is cold and dreary, it doesn’t mean you can’t find good seasonal winter vegetables. All of the above winter vegetables can be added together to create a nutrient-filled warming winter soup. They also make a healthy raw salad. You find them at local supermarkets. Check with your local farmer’s markets to see if they have winter vegetables.


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