Five Reasons Why Eating Seasonally is Better for You
Pumpkin, yuca, sweet potato, squash — it’s that time of year! With every change of season comes a new array of nourishing, whole foods. But we have one small problem. No matter the time of the year, you can walk into a supermarket and see mangos on the left and tomatoes on the right. Due to constantly having this broad variety of produce at our fingertips, we are missing out on the real benefits of eating with the seasons! A seasonal plate is not just a trendy food movement. Let’s take a closer look.
No. 1 – Fresh & Flavorful
There’s nothing like biting into that crunchy, juicy apple in the midst of fall or a gorgeous, plump strawberry in the dog days of summer. Produce that is grown in season tastes amazing! It’s fully ripened and harvested at just the right time to make it from the farm to your hand without spoiling. Fresher, sweeter, better-tasting, more flavorful and vibrant fruits and vegetables are what you have to look forward to when you choose to eat with the seasons!
No. 2 – Nutrition Powerhouse
The lovely thing about eating whole foods straight from the earth is that they’re filled with health-promoting vitamins and minerals. But what if we could boost their nutrient profile even more? With seasonal eating, you can! Seasonally fresh produce is picked when it is fully developed at the peak of the season. With optimal growing conditions and more sun exposure come higher levels of antioxidants, such as Vitamin C, folate, and beta-Carotene!
No. 3 – Support Your Bodies’ Natural Nourishment Needs
Our primal ancestors could only eat what vegetables, fruits and leafy greens were flourishing in that season and climate. The natural cycle of crops and produce is meant to support our health and nutritional needs for the season of life at hand! Leafy greens in the spring help us alkalize our bodies and facilitate detoxification. Hydrating foods like watermelon, berries and cucumber keep us hydrated in the summertime heat. Winter squashes and root veggies are great ingredients for hearty stews and soups that offer comfort during the long winter months.
No 4. – Environmentally Friendly
When you purchase foods in season to your location, it is less likely that the produce will be subjected to heavy doses of pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Not to mention, these toxic compounds deplete the soil, contaminate the water and cause problems with our health. Also, buying seasonal causes you to inadvertently support local farmers in your area. Local produce = less transportation, less forced ripening, less refrigeration and fewer chemicals.
No. 5 – Save Moo-lah!
Alright, let’s rewind to Macroeconomics 101. This is simply supply and demand. When there is an abundance of a certain crop, the cost will be much lower. Also, when produce is in season, local farmers won’t have extensive travel or storage costs. All of these factors drive down the price we see at the store!
So, there you have it. There’s a reason you crave juicy, plump strawberries in the summer and pumpkin everything (we’re looking at you PSL lovers) in the fall! Eggplant, pumpkin, sweet potato, yuca, apples, squash… Our new Fall menu incorporates these warming, seasonal foods all wrapped into flavorful, healthy dishes! Curious as to what foods are in season near you? Check out this awesome seasonal foods guide → https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/
References:
- https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4807/10-Reasons-to-Eat-Whats-In-Season.html
- https://www.rebootwithjoe.com/benefits-of-eating-seasonally/
- https://draxe.com/eating-seasonally/
