India, Dec. 5 -- When the temperature drops, most of us reach for warm drinks and comforting desserts. It feels natural in winter, but this subtle rise in sugar intake often adds to seasonal sluggishness, minor colds, and slower digestion. Your body is already working harder to stay warm, and excess refined sugar only makes things heavier. So what's a simple, realistic change you can make to feel lighter and more supported this season? According to Nicole Linhares Kedia, Sports Nutritionist and Integrated Health Coach, the answer might be sitting in your kitchen all along: just switch to a different sweetener, she suggests. Jaggery, or gud, is a minimally processed sweetener made from sugarcane or palm sap. It carries natural minerals and antioxidants that refined sugar lacks. During winter, this gentle support can make a noticeable difference, providing steady energy, easier digestion, and improved comfort after meals. Unlike jaggery, refined sugar is stripped of nutrients, explains Nicole. It offers only quick calories with no meaningful support for immunity, energy, or digestion, making it less helpful during winter. Jaggery or 'gud' is less processed and naturally rich in iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. According to the expert, the following are the key nutrients in jaggery and how they support your health during winter: "It not only provides gentle warmth but also boosts circulation and improves digestion," says the nutritionist. Guilt-free winter comfort: The nutritionist suggests that jaggery can be added to laddoos, porridge bowls and turmeric milk without any guilt, to make you feel warm in winters. Moderation is the key: "Even though jaggery may be a better alternative, it's still a form of sugar. So moderation is the key," adds the expert. Pair it with fibre-rich foods, nuts and seeds, which help in steady blood glucose. This slows down absorption and helps prevent feeling tired soon after eating something sweet.HTC...