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.
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