The winter winds push away not only the warm days of summer and autumn but also the motivation to live healthily. Instead of reaching for a glass of water, people often pull out their mugs for a hearty supply of hot chocolate. Regular exercise turns into regular movies nights, and a lack of fresh air and sunlight results in an insufficiency of essential vitamins and higher cases of depression.

What is something you can do this winter season to avoid those pains? Keep eating healthy.

We know this can be hard to do especially when some of your favorite fruits and vegetables are out of season. That is why we have put together our list of the 10 best winter snacks you should include in your diet.

1. Pomegranates

Pomegranates are rich in so many vitamins and minerals. Not only that but studies have shown that this fruit can help prevent certain diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. Check out more health benefits of pomegranates.

2. Dark Leafy Greens

Dark leafy greens like kale are great winter snacks because they pack in a lot of nutrients without adding a lot of calories. These plants can be added to smoothies, soups, salads, etc. to give your body a powerful blast of nutrition. Check out these 10 Health Benefits of Kale

3.  Winter Squash and Pumpkin

Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn’t mean the pumpkin-flavored snacks need to end. Winter squash and pumpkin are loaded with so many nutrients that will help you get through the gloomy, dense winter months. Want to learn more about the super food? Check out this article by the world’s healthiest foods. 

4. Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds are packed with protein, and they are an easy snack to grab on the go. They also have many other health benefits as well, check them out here! however, you’ll want to avoid buying nuts covered with salt or sugar, for this will minimize the value that they can have. Instead, try combining different nuts and raisins to create your own healthy trail mix blend. Want to try it out? Check out the Healthy Maven’s proven homemade trail mix tutorial.

5. Apples

Get your daily dose of fiber with apples. There’s a reason the age-old idiom, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” has lasted for as long as it has. Eating apples is a great way to stay healthy, especially because apples last all year round, even in the frosty winter months. Bonus tip: Add cinnamon and bake the apples for a flavorful treat that warms you up.

6. Citrus

Citrus fruits are not only delicious but also extremely helpful in preventing colds. They contain fiber, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, folate, and vitamin A. That’s a lot of important nutrients in these small portable winter snacks.  Did we mention they make your house smell good too?

7. Oatmeal

Check out these 9 Health Benefits of Eating Oats and Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great substitute for cold cereal in the morning. It will help warm you up and give a well-balanced start for the day. Instead of adding lots of sugar to sweeten it up, you can add honey, fruit, coconut flakes, cinnamon, or even small amounts of dark chocolate.

8. Kiwis

Kiwis can help you feel like you are in a tropical environment even when you are stuck in a snowy one. The colors are fun and the flavors are delicious. Here are 14 Healthy Reasons why you should eat kiwis. Bonus Tip: The skin on a kiwi is completely edible and contains, even more, vitamins and nutrients.

9. Popcorn

Popcorn sometimes gets a bad reputation, but the truth is it can be quite a healthy treat—as long as you don’t slather butter and salt on it. The Reader’s Digest gives 7 Healthy Reasons to Eat Popcorn. Some of these include its ability to help you lose weight and fill you up. SHGate also gives some fun tips on how to make popcorn a delicious snack with adding oil or other fats. Check it out here!

10. Dried Fruit

One of the biggest benefits of dried fruit is that you can take it anywhere. That means the next time you forget to eat before running errands, you can snack on them instead of french fries or chicken nuggets. this is another way you can get some of summer’s favorite fruits back in the home for winter. Here are the 12 Healthiest Dried Fruits you should add to your food storage.

There you have it, 10 delicious winter snacks that will help you stay healthy and happy even in the coldest of months. If you have any healthy treats we’d love to hear them! If you are struggling this winter, feel free to call us or walk in. We are happy to help at any time!