With the advent of autumn, we usher in cozy seasons — the holidays are coming up, we’re feeling that nippy chill in the air, and we’re about to enjoy some sensational seasonal produce. This time of year, we’re focusing on 12 superfoods for fall & winter that offer a host of healthy benefits, from immune support (always top of mind, lately) to heart health to brain-boosting powers and so much more. If you’re ready to supercharge the next several months, we’ve got 12 superfoods that’ll keep you feeling merry and bright, regardless of what holidays you’re celebrating.
12 Winter Superfoods to Enjoy During Colder Weather
#1 Elderberry
You’ve heard of elderberry syrup and seen the elderberry gummies in the supplement aisle, but have you tried eating (or drinking!) this delicious superfood in other ways?
Health Benefits:
Studies suggest that anti-inflammatory elderberries may help support heart health, and support your immune system (perfect for sick season).
When It’s In Season:
August to September harvest, but stored and enjoyed through the winter months.
How to Eat It:
Warning: Elderberries must be cooked! Do not eat them raw.
That said, when properly cooked, they are nutritious and delicious
- Use them in baked goods, such as muffins, pies, or crumbles
- Try an elderberry tea for a soothing hot drink in the chilly weather
- Infuse them into a mocktail or cocktail
- Make them into a jam or syrup
#2 Garlic
You’ll ward off more than vampires with garlic — it’s a powerful anti-viral that can help your body ward off pathogens, too! Plus, there’s even more to love: in Ayurveda, garlic is considered a winter miracle food that can ignite your digestive fire to benefit digestion and ease an upset stomach.
Health Benefits:
Garlic is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-viral, and full of vitamins B6 and C, manganese, selenium, iron, potassium, and copper.
When It’s In Season:
June to August, but stored and enjoyed through the winter months
How to Eat It:
- Mix it into marinades and salad dressings
- Add it sauteed to sauces
- Drizzle it with olive oil and enjoy it oven-baked or grilled
- Add it raw to fresh juices or wellness shots
- Blend it into savory dips and spreads like hummus or guac
#3 Ginger
What we call “nature’s Pepto Bismol” is a celebrated flavor over the holiday season — and beyond! Not only is ginger a gut health superstar, but it adds a touch of health to so many recipes.
Health Benefits:
Like garlic, ginger can also help support the immune system thanks to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties — it’s a natural antiemetic (meaning it may help with nausea), soothes an upset stomach, and aids digestion.
When It’s In Season:
Year round in warmer climates.
How to Eat It:
- Add ginger to a fresh juice or smoothie
- Slice the root and add to a stir fry or Asian-inspired dish
- Blend it into your holiday baking
- Enjoy it as a ‘tea’ by boiling fresh ginger with water and honey.
#4 Pomegranate
This antioxidant-loaded superfruit is a wonder to behold and provides a bevy of benefits. What’s more, is that it’s simply delicious and makes a wonderful flavor for the holiday season.
Health Benefits:
May support healthy skin (thanks to anthocyanins, polyphenols, and vitamin C) and may help with heart health, urinary health, exercise endurance, and inflammation.
When It’s In Season:
October through January.
How to Eat It:
- Plain, on its own
- As a topping on yogurt or smoothie bowls
- Mixed into salads
- Infused or juiced into a cocktail (or mocktail)
- Blended into smoothies or fresh juices
#5 Cranberries
Tart and tangy cranberries are antioxidant superstars, and they’re just so darn festive.
Health Benefits:
You may already be familiar with this tangy fruit’s ability to support urinary tract health (they’re antibacterial!); A research study also found that cranberries may come with some cardiovascular health benefits.
When It’s In Season:
October through December.
How to Eat It:
- Add to a smoothie or salad
- Cook down into a sauce or spread
- Bake into your holiday treats
- Try a cold-pressed cranberry juice or homemade holiday cocktail
#6 Brussels Sprouts
Is it even the holiday season if you’re not roasting Brussels sprouts? This starlet cruciferous veg is a veritable superfood and definitely warrants the hype.
Health Benefits:
Loaded with fiber, Brussels sprouts can help support healthy digestion while providing a small amount of protein and a ton of antioxidants.
When It’s In Season:
August through March.
How to eat it:
- Roasted with a balsamic glaze
- Sautéd or baked with other veggies (such as cubed sweet potato and cauliflower)
- Air fried
- Shredded in salads
#7 Cauliflower
If you couldn’t get enough cruciferous veggies with Brussels sprouts, don’t worry — cauliflower is also in season. The versatility of cauliflower cannot be underscored enough; from rice to a smoothie bolster to a side dish and so much more, this is a jack-of-all-trades veg.
Health Benefits:
Rich in immune-supportive vitamin C, blood-boosting vitamin K, and digestive-enhancing fiber, as well as antioxidants!
When It’s In Season:
September through January.
How to Eat It:
- Use it in tacos as a meat alternative
- Try cauliflower rice in lieu of rice (and make a protein bowl!)
- Make a grain-free cauliflower oatmeal bowl
- Blend it in smoothies as a low-sugar thickening agent
- Roast as a side dish with a simple seasoning
- Try a cauliflower pizza crust
#8 Sweet Potato
From a Thanksgiving mash to a sweet potato pie, there’s nothing quite as cozy and comforting as this richly-hued root veggie in the wintertime. You can even find varieties like sweet Japanese sweet potatoes or purple-fleshed sweet potatoes in season at the farmer’s market!
Health Benefits:
Can regulate appetite and blood sugar, aid digestion (thanks to fiber!), aid in healthy weight maintenance, and support vital organ function thanks to an astronomical amount of vitamin A and antioxidants.
When It’s In Season:
August through November.
How to Eat It:
- Roasted into wedges or fries
- Sliced, toasted, and topped with avocado as an alternative to toast
- Mashed as an alternative to traditional potato mash
- Sprinkled with cinnamon and enjoyed with yogurt as a dessert
- In a hearty grain or buddha bowl
#9 Beets
While you can enjoy beets year round in the grocery store, they see peak season in the late fall and winter months. This versatile, jewel-toned root can support so many aspects of your health — even the greens sprouted at the top have benefits!
Health Benefits:
High in iron, fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B. Plus, the greens are full of calcium!
When It’s In Season:
November through February/March.
How to Eat It:
- Make a beet hummus
- Toss sliced beets into your salads
- Pickle them
- Make easy-prep veggie chips
#10 Pears
Pears provide some of the most fiber you can find in a fruit (so they can help with digestion), while also boasting a wonderful nutrient profile.
Health Benefits:
Pears are rich in healthy flavonoids that may help support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol. Baked pears also make a delicious healthy dessert when you’re craving a sweet treat!
When It’s In Season:
August through October.
How to Eat It:
- Plain, on its own
- Chopped into a salad
- Roasted into a baked dessert like muffins or pies
- Blended into a smoothie or banana nice cream
- Sliced on a charcuterie board
#11 Grapefruit
Winter citrus is such a treat, isn’t it? And this fat-burning, metabolism-boosting fruit is chock-full of nutrients you’ll need all season long.
Health Benefits:
Super high in immunity-fortifying vitamin C and heart-healthy nutrients like potassium and lycopene.
When It’s In Season:
Year round, peak season November through May.
How To Eat It:
- Plain on its own,
- Fresh-pressed in a fruit and veggie juice
- Broiled with honey and cinnamon
- Chopped with other fruits
- Combined with greens, avocado, and lean protein in a salad
#12 Cinnamon
Less of a superfood and more of a super-spice, this flavor finds its groove in the wintertime.
Health Benefits:
Cinnamon may help curb sugar cravings, help support blood sugar, and may even boost metabolism and lower cholesterol.
When it’s in season:
Year round (it’s a bark!)
How to eat it:
- Sprinkle cinnamon into your coffee or yogurt
- Add to your favorite healthy desserts (or your favorite indulgent desserts!)
- Mix it into your oatmeal or breakfast bowl
- Make some cinnamon apple muffins
Support Your Health With Superfoods This Season
The fall and winter months are notoriously known for being the germier times of the year. But there are so many things in your control when it comes to supporting your overall health, such as the foods you reach for. Consider adding these superfoods to your fall and winter diet — they are chock full of good-for-you nutrients that will support your body during the fall and winter months!
