When cold weather strikes, we crave comfort. Just like we’re more likely to reach for hearty dishes than lighter fare, you often find that traditional wintery drinks tend to be rich, creamy and decadent.

There’s nothing wrong with a rich hot chocolate or mulled wine every now and then, but overindulging can lead to consuming too many calories and possible weight gain, which we know many people tend to struggle with over winter.

One of the biggest problems with calorie-laden drinks is that they generally don’t tend to satisfy your hunger, making it easy to go overboard. While a heavy meal will leave you satisfied, drinks can leave you craving more.

There’s no need to cut warming drinks out completely. In fact, it’s important to keep your intake of liquids high throughout winter, as we’re as inclined to stay hydrated as we are in summer.

Instead, it’s simply a matter of reaching for some ingredients that have fewer calories and more nutrients, so you can stay hydrated, satisfied and toasty warm.

Turmeric latte

While there’s not always merit behind a “superfood” status, turmeric actually does present a number of potential health benefits.

This is because it’s rich in something called curcumin, a polyphenol that has a strong yellow pigment.

Curcumin has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and has been shown to help with arthritis.

Unfortunately, the curcumin in turmeric isn’t readily absorbed by our bodies. However, black pepper has been shown to help with bioavailability (or the way that our bodies access nutrients from the things that we consume).

Ingredients

½ tsp ground turmeric

½ tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Small sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper

1-2 tsp honey

1.5 cups of milk (dairy or plant-based)

Method

Using a small saucepan, gently heat all ingredients, adjusting the amount of honey to meet your preferred level of sweetness. Once heated through, pour into a large mug, sprinkle with some extra cinnamon and enjoy.

Hot ginger and honey

Ginger, honey and lemon are often combined to make a soothing drink that’s especially comforting if you have a cold or are feeling under the weather.

It’s not just the taste that provides comfort. Ginger root can help to relieve nausea, including morning sickness in pregnant women.

There is also some research to suggest that consuming ginger can assist in relieving muscle pain.

Meanwhile, honey has antibacterial and antioxidant properties, is a prebiotic, and of course, provides a dose of natural sweetness that balances the heat of the ginger and acidity of the lemon.

Ingredients

2-3 cm piece of fresh ginger root, grated or minced

2 slices of lemon

1 tsp of honey

1 cup of freshly boiled water

Method

Add ginger, lemon and honey to a mug and cover with hot water. Allow to steep for several minutes before drinking.

Mint tea

You can, of course, buy mint tea bags from the supermarket. However, brewing your own tea using fresh mint is easy and particularly delicious.

Mint has long been used as an ingredient to help soothe stomach pain and digestive issues. Peppermint oil has even been shown as a promising treatment for IBS.

Plus, mint tea will leave you with fresh breath, and unlike coffee or tea, won’t stain your teeth.

Ingredients

1 small bunch of fresh mint (2-3 sprigs)

1 cup of freshly boiled water

Method

Add the mint leaves to a cup or mug and top with the hot water. Allow to steep and come to a safe temperature to drink, and enjoy.