Eating Chili Keeps You Warm

As the weather turns cooler, we all start to feel a little on the cool side.  We start pulling out more clothes, blankets, slippers and extra socks.  Adding extra layers will certainly keep you warmer, but did you know that the food you eat can also keep you warm?

Besides the fact that eating warm foods can increase your body temperature enough so that you actually feel warmer, chili has other ways of helping to maintain that warm temperature over the course of a cold winter.

By eating more beans (like in your favorite chili recipe) along with lean meats and green leafy vegetables (like spinach), you will be sure to get enough iron in your daily diet.  Iron is essential for thyroid function, and your thyroid plays an important role in regulating your body heat.

According to the CDC, iron is essential to maintaining body temperature.  Women who don't get enough iron in their daily diet lose lot more of their body heat in a cold room than women who consumed the recommended 18 mg of iron daily for women of childbearing age. 

While you're eating hot chili, make sure you dink enough water also.  Eight glasses of 8oz. of water is the minimum an adult should drink daily to stay hydrated.  If your body is dehydrated, it has to work much harder in order to keep your body temperature at a comfortable level.  Water allows many body systems to function properly and without enough water, those systems struggle to keep balance in your body.

The benefits from eating chili add up to give you a healthy meal that is versatile in taste for every person you're trying to feed.  So warm your family up tonight with a special chili recipe!