Ever wondered why our appetites are up there in winter? The body temperature drops with the temperature outside and eating helps generate heat. The body also spends more energy keeping us warm, so we tend to eat more. That makes it easy to pile on a few kilos of unwanted weight by the time the season is out. The key is to chomp on nutrient-dense, warming foods rather than calorie-dense duds.

Winters also bring the danger of frequent bouts of cold and flu. Make sure your diet is rich in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants to help support the immune system and ward off winter germs. Try our diet dos and be warm and safe.

Text courtesy: Meghna Nanda Dasgupta, Prevention