A transition with ease, please!
Here are a few dietary guidelines to help make the transition from fall to winter as painless as possible!

1.) Don't be afraid of the rich foods
Richer, oilier, and creamier foods are actually the antidote to the cold, airy, and dry nature of winter. Believe it or not, by trying to avoid these foods entirely or adhering to a low-fat diet may increase your chances of getting a cold come springtime.

2.) Sweet, salt, and sour
According to ayurveda, any citrus fruit or sour fruit like green grapes or pomegranates are actually heating in the body. Salt also helps add warmth and downward energy to keep you grounded. Sweet foods include juicy stewed fruits as well as wheat and dairy products.

3.) Dairy and wheat are okay
These two foods are relatively mucus forming. (This is why it is good to avoid these during the transition to the heavy, watery spring-time.)  Because we want to keep the body from drying out during the winter, wheat and dairy in amounts that feel appropriate for your body, can help keep the intestinal wall from drying up.

4.) Revel in the roots
Not only are root vegetables grounding, but the energy in baking, pressure cooking, and stewing is incredibly healing as well. Think roasted root veggies with carrots, beets, yams, and turnips.

5.) Warming Herbs
You don't necessarily need to heat things up with too many spicy foods, especially if you have a sensitivity to those foods. Spices go a long way. Try ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne, mustard seed, garlic, clove, and anise. Anyone else craving a hot chai tea right now?

Individualize your diet
If you know you're particularly sensitive to the cold, windy weather, it may serve you to begin adding in stews, heavier proteins, and root vegetables now.  If winter is your favorite season and the cold weather rarely bothers you, you may have a little more leeway in getting these foods in.

Other tips:

Reset Routine
The body craves rhythm. By going to bed (preferably by 10:00 pm) and waking up at the same time each day, you can create daily balance that your body depends on. Be sure to regulate your eating by not skipping meals and sitting down to eat at the same time each day.

Keep Skin Moisturized
Depending on your skin type, self-massage with sesame oil can be particularly beneficial. Also consider infrared-sauna treatments for warmth and detoxification.

Fall/Winter-friendly grocery list ideas:
Pumpkin
Avocado
Carrots
Beets
Tomatoes
Turnips
Sweet Potato
Squash
Nuts and seeds
Bananas
Grapefruit
Grapes
Lemons and limes
Tangerines
Warming spices
Yogurt
Goat cheese
Protein

Visit Laura at www.RealFoodWellness.com