HLA San Carlos explains the importance of food to combat low temperatures. In addition to warm clothing, it is essential to protect yourself from low temperatures with food. The HLA nutritionist San Carlos Office, Marian Martín, offers tips for these cold months:
- Cooking dishes such as rice dishes, soups, vegetable creams, vegetable stews or stews, for lunch and dinner. For breakfasts, lunches and snacks, it recommends the consumption of infusions, teas or hot milk. In addition to hot food and drink, the practice of exercise helps to warm up.
- At these dates it is essential to meet the energy and nutritional needs, since our body consumes more energy to produce heat and increase body temperature. Therefore, along with the appearance of colds and flu, it is recommended to increase the consumption of foods of vegetable origin such as fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals.
- Foods in a liquid state produce a greater sensation of heat than those in a solid state, since liquids keep them in heat for longer.
- The consumption of alcohol produces a vasodilatation process, that is, our blood vessels dilate concentrating in the outer areas, like the skin that covers the extremities, where our thermoreceptors are, so our sensation will be of an increase in temperature . This decrease causes the natural defenses of the body to lower against cold, which consist of a narrowing of the blood vessels (vasoconstriction) of the skin to better maintain that internal temperature.
- It is not necessary to eat a more caloric dish to provide us with heat. Vegetable stews with vegetables that are not very caloric foods are recommended and combine it with a piece of fruit for dessert. It must also be borne in mind that not only must we pay attention to the calories provided by the dish, but also to what nutrient those calories come from.
- At this time of year, it is vital to take care of hydration, which also favors the elimination of the typical virus symptoms of these dates, such as the flu. Although we notice a decrease in our thirst sensation, it is important to increase our water intake combined with this increase in foods such as broths, soups, and creams that are already providing us with liquids. One of the characteristic symptoms of colds, flu, pneumonia, diseases typical of cold periods, is the increase of mucus, so a good water intake would help us eliminate or dilute them.
- As a last advice, it is vital to have a correct supply of vitamins and minerals to prevent the onset of these diseases. It will be achieved with the intake of fruits, vegetables and vegetables.
