Fruits and vegetables that are harvested during their natural season tend to be healthier, sweeter, and more flavourful than those harvested out of season.
This is because produce loses many essential nutrients quickly after being picked from the vine or tree.
Foods transported out of season have an environmental cost. From greenhouse heating, refrigeration and air freight to pesticide use, transporting food to long distances has a substantial impact on our planet.
That is why it is ideal that most of us consume produce grown in its natural season. It will not only support local producers but also reduce our carbon footprint.
Eating locally-sourced and seasonal produce can also save you money. For instance, purchasing products from your local farmers market or subscribing to a CSA scheme allows for the best prices during its prime growing season.
To know more about the benefits of eating seasonally, continue reading.
What Is Seasonal Eating?
Seasonal eating is an excellent way to ensure you’re getting the maximum flavor and nutrition from fruits and vegetables. Plus, it supports local farmers while encouraging a sustainable lifestyle.
It is a term used for eating foods according to the season. Eating according to the seasons doesn’t have to be difficult, but it can often feel overwhelming. The key is being intentional with your diet and meal planning.
It is essential to know when certain fruits and vegetables are in season. By understanding the growing cycles of various foods, you can quickly spot those which are at their optimum freshness and purchase them accordingly. This way, you’ll always get the freshest produce available.
By purchasing produce that is in season, you are contributing to your local economy and keeping jobs close by. Your money spent on fresh produce stays within the community and can be reinvested or used for building local businesses.
The Benefits of Eating Seasonal Food
Eating seasonal food offers many advantages for both your health and the planet, such as high nutritional value, lower cost and superior taste. Eating seasonally offers not only many health benefits but also supports local farmers and helps reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some benefits of eating seasonal foods.
High Nutritional Value
Eating seasonal produce is a great way to enhance the nutritional value of your diet. Including more seasonal items in your meals helps prevent micronutrient deficiencies by providing more variety and essential vitamins/minerals.
Eating foods during their season of origin allows them to be at their freshest and tastiest, as they have had time to ripen naturally. On the contrary, fruits and vegetables that are shipped out of season undergo artificial ripening processes, which reduce flavor as well as decrease nutrient content.
Nutritionists believe that fruits and veggies eaten during their natural season are more nutrient-rich than those harvested out of season. For instance, strawberries harvested out of season tend to be less sweet and have lower vitamin C contents than those picked at their peak.
Environment Friendly
Eating seasonal food is beneficial for the environment as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions and eliminates the need to transport items long distances, which could contribute to climate change.
Farming locally also benefits the economy as growers don’t need to purchase expensive equipment out of season. The money saved is reinvested back into their community’s economy, leading to job creation and new businesses.
When fruits and vegetables are grown in another part of the world, they must be transported across countries or states – creating a lot of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s why eating local food instead of imported items is so important.
Support’s Body Needs Natural Nutritional Needs
Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to meet your body’s natural nutritional requirements. For instance, during the winter season, you need foods rich in Vitamin C to combat colds and coughs. Eating vegetables during their peak growth period is the best way to obtain high levels of antioxidants and other health-promoting phytochemicals. A study revealed that broccoli harvested during the fall harvest had more vitamin C content than broccoli harvested in the spring.
Support Local Community
When it comes to food, quality always wins out. Whether it be fruits, vegetables or meats, buying local farmers’ produces is the best way to guarantee you get your money’s worth and support local economies while helping the environment at the same time. Eating in season not only helps you to eat healthily but also supports the local community.
Better Taste
Seasonal fruits and vegetables are typically picked at their peak ripeness, giving them more flavor than those harvested too early or left sitting in cold storage for too long. These foods don’t contain the added amount of preservatives or contaminants, which makes them taste better than off-season foods. You can also check HealthReporters article about keto diet which might be interesting for you.
Best Seasonal Foods for Spring Season
Springtime is the time for lighter, brighter eating. As the temperature warms up, fresh asparagus spears, sweet-tart strawberries and tender peas become in season. Here are the best seasonal foods available in the spring season.
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Carrots
- Pineapples
- Apricots
- Artichokes
- Peas
Best Seasonal Foods for Summer Season
Summertime is when many fruits and vegetables are at their most nutritious. Not only do these items provide essential vitamins and minerals for this season, but they’re also full of beneficial enzymes that your body needs during this hectic lifestyle. Here are the best seasonal foods available during the summer season.
- Cantaloupe
- Watermelon
- Blackberries
- Okra
- Tomato
- Zucchini
The Best Seasonal Foods for Fall Season
Once fall arrives, you may begin craving warm and comforting foods. The season is bursting with plenty of root vegetables and crisp fruits that can add an extra layer of flavor and nutrition to dishes. Here are the best foods to eat during the fall season.
- Apples
- Bananas
- Beets
- Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
Conclusion
Eating seasonal foods has many benefits, from better taste to cheaper cost. Eating produce grown in the natural season can also reduce our environmental impact since it requires less human intervention to grow and transport. This also helps cut back on pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, which have detrimental effects on both our environment and health. In order to buy seasonal foods, you need to be aware of the foods available in different seasons. One way to eat seasonally is by growing your own fruit and vegetables. Planting fresh produce such as vegetables and herbs in-season will keep you eating fresh for much longer than what you can purchase at the supermarket.
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