8 Foods and drinks to avoid in winter to stay healthy

There are some food items that you should give a miss in winter to stay healthy, maintain a strong immune system and prevent allergies.

1. Desserts made of refined sugar Food made of refined sugar must be avoided in winter as sugar can cause inflammation and reduce immunity. 

2. Fried foods Fried food can disturb your digestive system as it takes longer to digest and is not very healthy, also it lowers your metabolism rate and causes lethargy.

3. Dairy Products Dairy products are mucus-generating, which make you prone to wheezing and other infections. Thus, try to reduce intake of cold dairy items like milk, shakes and smoothies during winters. Curd, too, is best avoided after lunch in winters. 

4. Salads And Raw Food Avoid salads and raw food after lunch hours in winters as it increases acidity, bloating, and digestion is intense at noon. 

5. Cold drinks and fruit juices Cold aerated drinks like cola or sprite, and fruit juices can lower the body’s defence system as it takes more energy for the body to restore the temperature of the cold drink down to the body temperature. This can affect immunity and make it prone to diseases.

6. Preserved foods Canned foods have extra salt and oil content to boost their durability. But it can also trigger allergies, digestive issues and weight gain in some people especially in winter. 

7. Food rich in Histamine  Histamine is a compound made by the immune system that battles unwanted substances like allergens by causing an inflammatory response. Histamine-rich foods like eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, dried fruits, and yoghurt boosts mucus, causing blocked nose or congested chest.

8. Caffeinated drinks Coffee, energy drinks, sports drinks, and other drinks containing caffeine, a diuretic (a compound which increases the passing of urine), causes dehydration, which increases mucus and dryness in the throat, causing congestion and breathing difficulties.