6 Cold Foods We’re Still Definitely Eating During Cold Months

As the temperature starts to drop, the farmers’ market stands becomes bare, and daylight hours grow shorter, it goes without saying that the foods we crave begin to change. That said, consuming cold foods in the wintertime can be something of a divisive subject. For some, the return of cold weather means a momentary break from chilly foods, and a dive back into all things warm—steamy soup, stews, bakes, or literally anything that you can metaphorically wrap yourself up in like a toasty blanket. To those people, I applaud your dedication to the temperature game, but will have to agree to disagree on your seasonal eating choices.

Just because the weather outside is frightful (A.K.A. not warm and sunny), doesn’t mean that our hankering for cold food has suddenly vanished. Whether it’s 32 or 82 degrees, you can definitely catch us eating these chilly food items. Even if our lips are slightly blue and our fingers are trembling, we’d like to believe that they’re are worth it, year round.

Strawberry-Basil Ice Cream

If there is only one cold food that you’re going to eat through the winter, it better be ice cream. As comforting as below-zero desserts come, ice cream is there for you through thick and thin. Grab a bowl, a spoon, and your Snuggie, and go to MFin’ town, my friends.

Thomas J. Story

Just because fresh produce might not be as abundant as it is during the summer months, there’s still easy ways to get those veggies in your life, without warming them. Grab a clamshell of your favorite greens from the supermarket, whip up a zesty homemade vinaigrette, and be sure to top everything off with toasted nuts. It’s okay if some of the veggies you incorporate are out of season—sometimes you just need a crunchy bowl of healthiness to get you going. BOOM. SALAD. IN THE WINTER.

Photography: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr.

Just because the mornings are tad bit chillier, doesn’t mean that a bowl of yogurt with crunchy granola on top is a bad way to start the day. It’s convenient, portable, low maintenance, and packed with protein, so if we’ve got a good thing going with our breakfast yogurt, why would we stop?

Watch: How to Make Instant Pot Yogurt

While we’re talking about breakfast, let’s just throw it out there that we’re still down for a good ol’ bowl of cereal. Sure, oatmeal is great, but I mean, let’s talk about cereal milk. I don’t care what the temperature is outside, you’re definitely going to be in the mood for Cocoa Pebbles-infused milk. That is a fact.

Whether you’re coming off a workout or you’re in need of a portable, healthy snack, there’s no denying that smoothies can definitely come in clutch. It’s for this exact reason that we have no intention of calling it quits with our blender just because temperatures are dropping. Sure, a blended frozen fruit beverage is probably more satisfying on a toasty summer day, but it’s not hard to love them year-round.

Getty Images; Mareen Jama / EyeEm

Perhaps a polarizing life decision, we still have every intention of slurping down iced coffees even when the temperature drops. Nothing against a foamy hot latte (they’re great, we’re not arguing that), but there’s something about drinking an iced java drink through the colder months that feels extremely liberating. Mittens not required, although they are recommended.