For many people food is a part of their comfort zone. When it’s a frigid winter we look for way to find comfort from the cold. Food, in moderation, can be that comfort. There are many foods that just yell out warmth while there are certain foods that can make that cold to the bone feeling more prominent.

Finding the right foods to warm the body is a simple task. Some may surprise you while others seem to be a given. For instance chili peppers just yell out warm but did you know that black pepper is also a warming food? Add a sprinkle to your foods and feel the warmth from your head to your toes.

Other spices can also add a little warmth to the body. Ginger, cloves and cinnamon are considered warming spices. Ginger can be added to soups and stews to give them a distinct flavor and warmth. Sprinkle a little ginger over vegetables to incorporate this spice into your daily diet.

Cloves not only help to warm the body but are a great way to freshen your breath. Cloves contain antiseptic properties that help freshen the mouth along with giving the body warmth. Cloves can be an added health addition to any meal.

Cinnamon is also a warming spice. Add a little ground cinnamon to your baked foods to give them a distinctive taste. Ground cinnamon can also be sprinkled over yams or sweet potatoes. Have a cup of warm tea? Add a cinnamon stick to your cup. This will help to add extra warmth when your body is chilled to the bone.

Nuts and seeds can also have a warming effect. These are simple to add to your daily diet. A handful of peanuts or 10 almonds make a great snack and can help to warm those cold body parts. These can give the body deep warmth that lasts.

Sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and fennel are just a few types of seeds that can be incorporated into your foods to help warm the body. Pumpkin seeds like nuts make a great snack when roasted. Sesame seeds and fennel can be added to vegetables or meats. Not only do these types of seeds help to warm the body but they are great for the digestive system too.

Fruits and vegetables can also give the body warmth. We all know that fruits and vegetables are healthy and adding them to meals is easy to do. They also make great snacks. Try carrot and celery sticks as a snack or grab an apple to munch on. It’s just what the doctor ordered. These treasures help to boost the immune system and help with blood flow keeping us healthy and warm all winter long.

Garlic and onion also help to keep the body warm and are easy to include in any diet. Garlic also helps in opening up those stuffed up airways. Both garlic and onions are helpful in lowering cholesterol. Just add them to soups, meats or vegetables and feel the warmth.

Honey can be effective in warming the body. This natural sweetener can be added to many foods that call for sugar. Try a little honey on a warm piece of toast or a bagel. Honey is also great for one’s complexion.

There are certain foods that should be avoided in winter. These types of foods can heighten metabolism causing our bodies to retain that blustery cold. Try not to overeat in the winter. This also jump start your metabolism. This burns off the extra calories a body needs to stay warm and cozy. Jump starting your metabolism can also extinguish those digestive fires that are needed to keep us warm from the inside out.

The list of foods to avoid is not overwhelming. They include processed chips, cold drinks, cucumbers, white breads, too much butter, alcohol and rice, especially at night. Avoiding these foods might be a little hard but try to limit them as much as possible in your daily diet.

These are just a few foods that can warm the body or add to that frigid feeling. When you curl up in front of the TV with a warm blanket to fight off the winter chill, try snacking on a few of the foods listed above to help keep you warm. It might surprise you at how well it works.