"A new report by RIFT TAX Refunds has revealed the foods and ingredients which are scientifically proven to keep you warm through the winter. "
RIFT tax refunds
A new report by RIFT TAX Refunds has revealed the foods and ingredients which are scientifically proven to keep you warm through the winter.
Millions of Brits call the great outdoors their office, and, with the MET office predicting the winter of 2019 to be of a similar scale to the ‘beast from the east’ 1. RIFT have conducted research into what food the UK work force can eat to sustain heat within their bodies through the working day.
Nutritionist, Clarissa Lenherr adds “Diet-induced thermogenesis can help you stay warm throughout our coldest months and keeps your stomach happy. By eating foods high in fibre, protein, complex carbohydrates and spice can encourage our bodies to convert calories into heat and consequently keep us toasty and warm”
With the help of nutritionist, Clarissa, RIFT have created three perfect packed lunches that are all packed full of foods that will keep you warm.
1. The slow release winter warmer
Keep warm this winter by eating oatmeal. It’s a great thermogenic food perfect for the colder months it’s filled with phytochemicals and nutrients that release energy slowly throughout the day to keep your body warm2.
Beef is great when you find yourself in chilly conditions because it is a fantastic source of iron, which is crucial for circulating your blood3. The high calorie and fat content found in beef makes it the perfect fuel for your body, simply partner with wholemeal bread and make it a sandwich.
Clarissa Lenherr agrees that – “This packed lunch is filled with complex carbohydrates of the oats and wholemeal bread this will prolong our digestive process, heat us up and also provide a slow release of consistent energy for the day”
Finish off with a sweet treat, a slice of ginger cake to complete the perfect packed lunch. Ginger enhances the thermogenic properties and helps blood circulation in our bodies making it a great source of warmth4. And a delicious snack!
2. The heart-racing half-time meal
A hearty portion of leek and potato soup can do wonders for you, providing enough energy to keep you warm all day. That’s because leeks are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that help your heart pump blood around the body more quickly, preventing coldness to your limbs, keeping you warmer5.
Speeding up your metabolism is a great way to warm your body, and eggs are great for this. Nutritionist Clarissa states; “protein, provided by the scotch eggs, is the hardest macronutrient to breakdown which means our digestive system has to work harder to break it down, thereby generating more heat”. Adding a scotch egg to your packed lunch could not only raise your metabolism, but the vitamin B12 found in the egg breaks down body fat6.
Cinnamon possesses plenty of warming properties7, so think about introducing it into your lunch with a delicious cinnamon bun. Clarissa suggests that the cinnamon spice “can naturally increase your circulation” ultimately keeping your vital organs warm and preventing you from feeling a chill.
Finish off your lunchtime with a cup of tea, adding a spoonful of honey instead of sugar for a warming touch; not only does it give your brew a sweetness, but it is great for raising your metabolism to protect you from chills8. If you can’t get your mitts around a fresh, hot cuppa, brew a batch for your Thermos before you leave.
3. Spice up your midday break
Start off your perfect packed lunch with a handful of dried fruit9. Rich in nutrients and minerals, dry fruit is best served in small portions, so your body can efficiently absorb the goodness.
A warming curry can be the perfect cure for a winter chill. Clarissa adds that “Capsaicin from chilli found in the curry is warm-inducing” this bolsters your metabolic rate and increases the enzymes that metabolise fat10.
For the rice, it is important to choose brown or wholemeal because these are complex carbohydrates that take longer to break down. Because your body is working harder to digest your food, your body heat rises, meaning you’ll be warmer for longer11.
Clarissa advices you to swap a normal cup of breakfast tea for a refreshing ginger and honey tea; “Ginger, a super spice, can help relieve headaches, warm you from the inside out and control your blood sugar levels, meaning it can prevent energy spikes and dips throughout your day”.
She emphasises that “this balanced meal provides complex carbohydrates, ample protein, fat and fibre; however, it is the spice benefits of this combination that make it the most warming”
