Expert reveals six best foods to help keep you warm this winter

With the winter nights getting colder in the UK and the energy bills getting more expensive, staying warm may become difficult. Though many people may turn to hot water bottles and extra layers of clothes to remain warm, experts explain that you can beat cold temperatures by snacking on certain budget-friendly foods like cinnamon and carrots.

Apparently, these foods can help keep your body warm, naturally and induce sleep. Ashley Hainsworth, Sleep expert from Bed Kingdom, UK's leading online retailer of bedroom furniture products reveals a list of such foods, the Mirror reports.

Cinnamon

Often found in bakery food items and curries too, this extremely popular spice reportedly has thermogenic properties that can increase the body’s heat.

Ashley is reported to have said, “Having a sprinkle of cinnamon in a glass of milk at night-time won’t just heat you up, but due to the tryptophan in milk which induces sleep you’ll also find it easier to rest.”

Ginger

“Ginger is another excellent food you can consume to warm you up before you catch some Zs," said Ashley.

“With the vasodilating properties in ginger, your blood vessels are relaxed which contributes to an increased blood flow helping your body to heat up.

“Opt for a ginger tea – and if you’re suffering from a stuffy nose due to the weather, this will ease that to help you sleep better.”

In fact, a cup of ginger tea is the traditional go-to remedy to effectively deal with a cough, cold, and flu.

Carrots

Carrots are always included in a roast dinner, however, this root vegetable can also help to warm you up “due to the necessity for more energy during digestion.”

According to the expert, “And while some vegetables may not be the best thing to consume before you try to get some shut eye, carrots are one of the vegetables that will promote sleep as they contain the alpha-carotene nutrient as well as potassium.”

Nuts

Ashley is quoted as saying, “Having nuts before bed, such as peanuts, almonds, and pistachios, can increase the speed of your metabolism and raise your body heat, therefore warming you up for bed,” he said.

“As well as this, these nuts contain melatonin, a natural hormone that helps to control your sleep cycle and therefore helps you get some shut eye.”

Oats

This this is a very popular food to eat for breakfast, oats can also provide benefits when consumed at night.

Speaking about these benefits, Ashley explains, “They are slow to break down in your body due to being high in bran and fibre, and this slow digestion releases warming energy.

“Plus, this food also contains melatonin to improve your sleep.”

Bananas

This fruit is mostly eaten to provide instant energy and is a superb on-the-go food. However, bananas can also help to regulate the body’s temperature, reveals the sleep expert.

He explains, “Filled with vitamin B and magnesium, bananas help with the functioning of your thyroid and adrenal glands, thus regulating your body temperature in the cold weather.

“In fact, the high levels of magnesium don’t just keep you warm, but they also help your muscles to relax and calm your body to ensure you get to sleep easily.”

Cooling foods to avoid before bedtime

Though there are several foods that can help to keep you warm and cozy during the winter months, apparently, there are also some foods that can do just the opposite.

Ashley is of the opinion that, “When you’re trying to warm up before you go to sleep, there are some foods in particular you should try to avoid.”

Let’s take a look at some of these foods that can reduce body temperature:

• Vegetables and fruits rich in water - "Water-rich fruit and vegetables are known to cool the body, including watermelon, peaches, oranges, celery, and cucumber," he said.

• Berries - "Berries are alkaline, meaning that they generate cold energy and release excess body heat."

• Spicy foods such as jalapeños and cayenne peppers - "Surprisingly they make us cooler by activating a nerve receptor in our tongue that can recognise heat, thus causing us to sweat and cool us down."

• Leafy green vegetables such as kale and cabbage - "They might be healthy, but it’s best to avoid these before bed due to their cooling effect on the body."