For your body AND your community:
When it comes to our diet, it’s important to think intersectionally:
- what are your goals?
- How do certain foods make you feel?
- What is your general health and medical history?
- What foods are accessible to you?
I would like to talk briefly about the latter. Because we’re used to having big grocery stores that are practically stocked any ingredient we could have hoped to find, many of us have lost touch with the concept of seasonal food. Many of us don’t even know which fruits and vegetables are the freshest at which time of the year. Losing that connection to what we put into our bodies is detrimental to our health and makes it harder to practice mindful eating habits.
As we head into fall, we are blessed with an abundance of produce that will be the freshest. And that’s why you should benefit from it:
5 reasons to eat seasonal foods
- Your body needs that at the moment. Our bodies are very sensitive to the seasons, and foods harvested at their peak contain many of the vital nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy during certain times of the year. For example, many citrus fruits are in season beginning in October and throughout the winter, when our bodies need vitamin C most to ward off cold and flu season.
- It tastes better. Produce harvested at peak also retains more of its flavor profile, resulting in tastier dishes. By making a commitment to eat seasonally, you can guarantee that your fruits and vegetables taste their best.
- It’s inexpensive. You save money by eating seasonally too. This is thanks to simple economics: when groceries are in season, more of them are readily available, resulting in lower prices per pound in-store. Imported food coming from overseas in season has an inflated cost.
- It’s better for the environment. Seasonal foods have a lower carbon footprint because they don’t require as much transportation, refrigeration, etc. to get from the farm to your table.
- It helps your community. Most seasonal foods are locally sourced, and the best places to find them are the local farmers’ markets. Buying seasonal groceries is a great way to stay connected with your community and support those who work hard to ensure the rest of us have food every day!
Butternut squash season has just begun, so this is a great time to pick up this beautifully bright and nutrient-dense vegetable from your local store. It’s packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, magnesium and calcium and is a fantastic source of immune-boosting beta and alpha carotene. Just in time as we head into a pretty ugly cold and flu season (thanks, ‘rona 😒)
What are some of your favorite seasonal foods? Go to Insta and let me know; I want to hear from you @FitMenCook!