Currently, we are in the coldest days of winter. At this time, some women still feel the cold even after wearing cotton-padded clothes. In fact, clothes can only provide warmth. To increase the body's heat energy, one must rely on the effects of food.
Low temperatures can affect the human body's endocrine and digestive systems, accelerating the metabolism and breakdown of the three major nutrients—protein, fat, and carbohydrates—and increasing energy consumption.
Therefore, in winter, one should increase the intake of these three heat-producing nutrients, such as staple foods and sweets with a small amount of sugar. Particular attention should be paid to the intake of high-quality proteins and fats from fish, dairy products, and other sources. When cooking, a bit more vegetable oil can be used appropriately.
Iron is particularly important for women to resist the cold, but most women do not get enough iron from their daily diet. Therefore, in winter, women who are afraid of the cold should consciously eat more meats that are known to replenish qi and nourish blood, such as lamb, beef, and turtle meat. They can also incorporate root vegetables rich in minerals, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, and green onions, as well as iron-rich foods like animal blood, egg yolks, pork liver, soybeans, sesame seeds, and spinach. These foods help to speed up the body's metabolism and enhance its secretory functions, which can effectively improve the feeling of cold intolerance. Conversely, it is best to eat less of cooling or cold-natured foods such as duck, crab, bananas, cucumbers, pears, mung beans, watermelon, and rock sugar.
Scallion Lamb