Top 10 Healthy Winter Foods

Fox News:Each season brings with it a new and bountiful crop of food. Even during the winter months —which typically bring less to the table — there's certainly no lack of healthy options for the fitness-conscious man. Whether you're looking to buff up, burn fat or keep your immune system primed and ready, there are plenty of cold-weather delicacies that offer a full nutritional complement to keep you in top form.
Many of the foods we enjoy during the warmer months are actually available year-round, but winter offers the perfect opportunity to branch out and experiment with some of the bolder fruits and veggies that hit their peak in the dead of snow season (some veggies actually survive out in the cold with no added protection!).
So get creative, be fearless and pay attention as AM breaks down the top 10 fresh winter foods to help you ward off that seasonal funk.
Butternut squash
Season: August-March, but typically October-November; can be stored most of winter
Butternut squash is just one of many varieties of winter squashes, but it’s probably the most versatile, offering full-bodied flavor no matter how it’s prepared — roasted, toasted, puréed or mashed. Butternut squash is also an excellent source of vitamin A in the form of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that may help ward off heart disease and certain cancers.
Brussels sprouts
Season: September-February
Pound for pound, Brussels sprouts contain nearly 50 percent more vitamin C — a powerful antioxidant and potential cold-fighter — than oranges. In fact, just four to six sprouts are enough to satisfy an adult's vitamin C daily requirements! But it’s more than the vitamin-C content that has health buffs praising this crunchy winter veggie: Brussels sprouts also contain nitrogen compounds called “indoles” that have been linked to anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory actions. Brussels sprouts are also a great source of folate, fiber, vitamin K, and magnesium.
Grapefruit
Season: October-June
Tart and tangy with a hint of sugary sweetness, grapefruit are the perfect winter fruit. Grapefruit are not just loaded with vitamin C – they are also packed with lycopene, an antioxidant also found in green tea. Lycopene appears to have anti-cancer properties and has recently been associated with reducing the risk of prostate cancer in men. With loads of other healthy phytonutrients and flavonoids, grapefruit are a shoo-in to any winter-foods top-10 list.
Cabbage
Season: Year-round, depending on variety; winter varieties available
A cruciferous veggie that comes in a handful of different varieties, the cabbage — particularly the red cabbage — is a winter nutrition powerhouse. Packed with vitamins A, B6, C and K, red cabbage is probably best known for its anti-inflammatory action, which is driven primarily by glutamine (an amino acid that’s also thought to boost the immune system) and anthocyanins (the plant pigments that give red cabbage its color). Served raw or boiled, this versatile veggie has been associated with the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease thanks to its nutrient-rich content.
Chestnuts
Season: October-March
While chestnuts are a well-known staple food of the Christmas season, they are rarely eaten outside of the holidays. However, chestnuts are a classic, healthy all-winter food — a great source of B vitamins as well as potassium, copper and manganese — and the perfect choice for the active, muscle-building male. Chestnuts are also one of the only nuts that contain vitamin C, making them a must-have for cold and flu season!
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