🥣 Warm Foods to Take the Chill Off Fall

As the Midwest air turns crisp and daylight fades earlier, it’s natural to crave warmth — both in what we wear and what we eat. Fall invites us to shift from cool, refreshing foods to dishes that comfort, nourish, and ground us.

(For those of you reading this in warmer climates, perhaps when your days and nights get cooler, these ideas will be better received.)

This is the season to embrace warming foods like root vegetables, oats, and warming spices that balance the cool, dry air of fall. Think of it as nature’s way of nudging you toward the foods you need most right now.

Maybe start your morning with something hearty and soothing: a bowl of steel-cut oats topped with cinnamon, pears, and walnuts; or a warm protein latte with a dash of turmeric or pumpkin spice.

For lunch or dinner, swap out cold salads for roasted or simmered dishes. Try roasting a sheet pan of sweet potatoes, carrots, and beets drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with thyme. Or simmer a pot of lentil or chicken soup with garlic, ginger, and a splash of lemon — a simple, nourishing meal that delivers comfort and immune support.

I sometimes add Millet & Brown Rice Ramen Noodles to bone broth as a light lunch or snack. It warms me and satisfies my need for carbs (that seems to have increased lately).

Whole grains such as farro, quinoa, or barley provide the kind of slow-burning energy your body needs this time of year. Serve them warm in bowls with roasted veggies and a crumble of feta or drizzle of tahini-lemon dressing. You could also make your grain bowl with roasted root vegetables, chickpeas, and a dollop of hummus — finished with olive oil, lemon juice, and a pinch of smoked paprika. These bowls are filling and nutritious, without being heavy.

And don’t forget, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cumin, and ginger don’t just add flavor — they gently warm the body. Even a sprinkle can transform an ordinary meal into one that feels like fall in a bowl.

🍂 Try This: Roast cubed sweet potatoes, parsnips, and Brussels sprouts with a drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle of cinnamon, and pinch of sea salt. Serve warm with quinoa or over greens for an easy, earthy fall bowl.

Eating with the season is one of the simplest ways to feel your best — and fall offers plenty of delicious inspiration. Here’s to good food and good health.

Be well,
Health Coach Carol

“And all at once, summer collapsed into fall.” ~ Oscar Wilde