7 Antioxidant Rich Foods you can find in Winter

Are you getting a little tired of the poor selection of fruits and veggies this winter?

Even though it might be cold where you live, there are still plenty of fruits and vegetables that are in season elsewhere.

Being able to add antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables to your diet every day is important, but some find it a little more challenging during the winter months when fresh produce isn’t as plentiful.  But it’s worth it to keep your antioxidant intake up to help your immune system stay strong through cold and flu season. Eating antioxidant rich fruit is a great healthy habit for your kids that you can start today.

7 Antioxidant Rich Foods you can find in Winter

Want an easy trick for picking out antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables for the winter months? Look for colors.

When you head to the grocery store, take stock of what is in season and offered at a good price. Then, choose a fruit or veggie that is in the dark blue family– purple, black, red.

Check out some of the delicious and antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies for the winter season that you’ll want to shop for.

Blood Oranges

The citrus crop is at its best during the winter months and blood oranges are the cream of the crop. They are packed solid with Vitamin C and offer a healthy dose of fiber as a bonus.

Purple Potatoes

You might have noticed already that potatoes are especially abundant this time of year and always on sale for a great price. Rather than picking up your normal variety of potato, switch to purple potatoes for the winter. They have up to three times as many antioxidants as normal varieties and taste a little richer.

Black Beans

Winter is a good time to stock up on this staple and there are so many ways to use them too. Black beans have tons of fiber, protein and iron, making them a great option for vegetarians and women that need the extra boost of iron. Try them in soups, salads, tacos or stews.

You can even sneak a few in our tasty vegetarian bean soup recipe with adzuki and mung beans.

Cranberries

We usually add cranberries to our dinner table for Thanksgiving and then forget about them for the rest of the year. Harvested late fall through the early winter, cranberries are a great way to add flavor to meat dishes, stir fry, or star as the dessert. Try our cranberry stuffed acorn squash.

Black Rice

Another color swap, but an easy one. Rice is a great side or main dish for many winter meals, and though you might not be familiar with it, black rice is very common in many parts of the world. Containing just as many antioxidants as blueberries per serving, black rice is a filling winter food.

Grapes and Grape Juice

If you are in the mood for a snack, a handful of grapes is an excellent option. Otherwise, grape juice and even wine with your meal is a great way to get in some antioxidant rich fruit. Just make sure that you select concord grape juice that is made from grapes and not a cocktail full of sugar.

Persimmon

The little known persimmon is an antioxidant workhorse, ticking off almost every box of benefits on the list. Excellent raw when they are fresh, you can also puree or bake them into tons of tasty treats.

Do you have any other antioxidant rich winter foods you love?