4 Ways To Make Winter Meals Less Boring

Preparing meals mid-winter can start to feel like a drag. Unlike the summer months when farmer’s markets are bursting with vibrant colors from the fresh produce, things are in full bloom, and there’s plenty of seasonal items to choose from, it can be more challenging to find inspiration for cooking during the winter. I’m here to give you some of that inspiration so you can bring more color to your plate, enhance variety, and have fun in the kitchen. So, here’s 4 ways to make winter meals less boring and more fresh and exciting. 

1. Lighten and brighten things up. 

I love incorporating citrus fruits like lemons, limes, blood oranges, and grapefruit during the winter months to brighten dishes and add acidity. Plus, wintertime is the peak of the citrus season. Add lime juice to a fresh slaw, lemon juice to soups and stews, or include grapefruit with your adult snack board. Acids like citrus are also great tenderizers, meaning they pair well with tougher cuts of proteins and in marinades. Consider using fresh squeezed orange juice in your next slow cooker pot roast recipe. 

2. Find pleasure in warming comfort foods. 

Colder temperatures and snowfall make warming comfort foods like soups, stews, and slow cooker meals extra enjoyable. Winter is a time to slow down, turn inward, and focus on nourishment and rest. I love making nutrient dense meals such as butternut squash bisque, broccoli cheddar soup, hearty stews, meatloaf, and slow cooker carnitas. Pair these with a light and crisp salad for added phytochemicals and micronutrients. 

3. Enjoy seasonal produce when able. 

Seasonal produce this time of year includes cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage, root vegetables such as beets, turnips, parsnips, and sweet potatoes, winter squashes, citrus fruits, pomegranate, avocado, and alliums including garlic and onions. Focus on immune-supportive foods like citrus for vitamin C, mushrooms for a food source of vitamin D, and garlic and onions for antiviral support. 

4. Incorporate warming and nutrient-dense bone broth. 

There’s no better time to enjoy bone broth than in the winter! Plus, it’s a great addition to meals for varying flavor profiles and keeping things exciting. I love cooking hearty greens like kale and collards in bone broth. You can also slow cook meats or cook beans in bone broth for a punch of flavor. Hydration can also be tough when it’s cold outside. I at times find it challenging to hydrate this time of year, hence why I turn to sipping on bone broth which provides nutrients supportive of gut health and minerals to help with hydration. My absolute favorite is FOND bone broth. You can use the code MadelineGibbsRD to save on your first order. Interested in learning more? See my blog post here for 3 reasons why you should drink bone broth! 


Are you looking for some guidance on how to eat healthier, shift to a real whole foods-based diet, and increase the variety and nutrient density of your diet? Busy and struggling with meal prepping and planning? I’m here to support you! If you’re interested in learning more about how I can help you reach your goals, apply for a free clarity call with me using this link. I can’t wait to hear from you!

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