How to eat seasonally for better health - Food & Nutrition

Embrace Seasonal Eating

Eating seasonally is not only beneficial for the environment, but it can also improve our health by providing us with fresh, nutritious and flavorful produce. By understanding the benefits of eating seasonally, learning how to identify and choose seasonal foods, and making simple changes to our eating habits, we can improve our health and support sustainable agriculture.

 

Introduction

Eating seasonally is a great way to improve your health and wellbeing. By choosing foods that are in season, you can ensure that you are getting the freshest, most nutritious produce available. In this article, we will explore the benefits of eating seasonally, how to identify what foods are in season, and provide some tips on how to incorporate seasonal produce into your diet.

 

The Benefits of Eating Seasonally

There are many benefits to eating seasonally. One of the biggest advantages is that seasonal produce is often cheaper and more readily available. When fruits and vegetables are in season, they are more likely to be grown locally, which means they don't have to travel as far to get to your plate. This reduces the cost of transportation and storage, which is passed on to the consumer.

Eating seasonally also means that you are getting the freshest, most nutritious produce available. Fruits and vegetables that are out of season are often picked before they are ripe, which means they may not have developed all of their nutrients. In addition, produce that is not in season may be stored for longer periods of time, which can result in a loss of nutrients.

Another benefit of eating seasonally is that it can help you connect with the natural cycles of the earth. By paying attention to what is in season, you can develop a greater appreciation for the rhythms of nature and the changes that occur throughout the year.

 

Identifying What Foods are in Season

The easiest way to identify what foods are in season is to visit your local farmer's market. Farmers markets typically sell only locally grown produce that is in season. This means that you can be confident that you are getting the freshest, most nutritious produce available.

Another way to identify what foods are in season is to pay attention to what is being harvested in your region. For example, in the spring you may see an abundance of asparagus and strawberries, while in the summer you may see more tomatoes and watermelon. By paying attention to what is being harvested, you can get a sense of what is in season.

 

Tips for Incorporating Seasonal Produce into Your Diet

Once you have identified what foods are in season, it's time to start incorporating them into your diet. Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Experiment with new recipes: Look for recipes that feature seasonal produce and try something new. This is a great way to discover new foods and flavors.
• Buy in bulk: When a particular fruit or vegetable is in season, it's often available in large quantities. Consider buying in bulk and freezing or canning some of the produce for later use.
• Plan your meals around seasonal produce: When you're planning your meals for the week, try to include as many seasonal fruits and vegetables as possible. This is a great way to ensure that you are getting a variety of nutrients in your diet.
• Get creative with your snacks: Instead of reaching for processed snacks, try snacking on seasonal fruits and vegetables. For example, in the fall you could snack on apples and pears, while in the summer you could snack on watermelon and cucumber.

 

Conclusion

Eating seasonally is a great way to improve your health and wellbeing. By choosing foods that are in season, you can ensure that you are getting the freshest, most nutritious produce available. By paying attention to what is in season and incorporating seasonal produce into your diet, you can develop a greater appreciation for the rhythms of nature and the changes that occur throughout the year.

 

References
Knechtges, P. L., & Salonia, J. A. (2015). Eating seasonally: the nutritional and economic benefits of fresh, local fruits and vegetables. Journal of Extension, 53(3), n3.