What Are Seasonal Foods?

The sun is brighter and out longer, the air is warmer, the sky is bluer. Summer is finally here. More outdoor activities and gatherings with family and friends, more barbecues or cookouts, and more chances to soak up some vitamin D directly from the sun are all part of the season. As the weather changes around the world, so do the fresh produce options. Each season brings a wide range of beautiful fresh produce; now is a great time to start experimenting and trying new recipes, as well as reworking old ones to incorporate more seasonal fruits and vegetables. Not only will your palate be wowed, but there are also health benefits. Consuming fruits and vegetables is beneficial to our health because they provide our bodies with essential vitamins and nutrients while also lowering our risk of certain cancers. However, eating fruits and vegetables at their peak harvest point, when they are at their freshest, simply improves the flavor.

11 Benefits of Consuming Seasonal Foods

Highly Nutritious

Seasonal fruits and vegetables that ripen naturally in the sun are fresher, taste better, and contain the most nutrition, antioxidants, and phytonutrients. Produce, on the other hand, loses nutritional value the longer it is stored or sits while being transported. Consuming seasonal produce closer to harvesting time provides the most nutrition.

Eating in accordance with the seasons provides the body with the nutrition it requires. In the winter, we are provided with a variety of citrus that is high in Vitamin C and helps the body fight coughs and colds. Winter vegetables are ideal for making hearty and filling dishes such as soups, stews, and casseroles. Summer meals, on the other hand, supply us with additional beta-carotene and other carotenoids that help protect us from sun damage, as well as greater sweetness for an energizing summer, and salad veggies for those delightful cold summer salads.

Better Taste

Most of us are aware of how much more delicious fresh-from-the-farm fruits and vegetables are than their mass-produced, stale counterparts. These are bred to prioritize uniform ripening and shelf life over flavor, and they are frequently treated with ripening agents such as gases, chemicals, and heat processes. Produce picked in a season when it is fully ripened tastes better and is usually juicer than artificially ripened foods grown out of season.

They Are Cost-Effective

You may not realize it, but buying seasonal produce is less expensive. A fruit or vegetable is abundant and, predictably, less priced when it is in season. It’s just supply and demand. When you buy out-of-season produce, it is less available, and the price you pay includes a surcharge. In fact, buying in-season produce is so much cheaper that it’s one of the best ways to save money on healthy food. You can save even more money if you take advantage of weekly specials.

Be in Tune with the World’s Natural Wisdom

When it comes to seasonal foods, many holistic practitioners believe that nature has innate wisdom. Winter foods, for example, are heavier and denser, which helps to fortify us against the colder, harsher weather. After a long winter in which many of us gained weight, nature provides spring vegetables such as artichokes and asparagus, which aid in detoxification. During the hot summer days, hydrating vegetables and fruits like cucumber, watermelon, and peaches are readily available. Furthermore, many fall foods are high in beta-carotene, which is converted to vitamin A and helps protect against cold and flu.

Broadens your Diet

Seeking out and experimenting with new seasonal fruits and vegetables is a great way to diversify your diet and try new types of produce. It keeps you from eating the same foods over and over again, and it introduces you to whole new worlds of foods! Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in various nutrients is essential for a health-promoting diet. Seasonal eating broadens this way of eating and keeps it interesting and engaging.

Environmentally Friendly

Buying produce that is both seasonal and local is far better for the environment. Buying locally means purchasing foods that have been subjected to less travel, processing, and packaging. Most of us are unaware that fruits and vegetables travel an average of 1,300–2,000 miles from farms to stores in our area. This has a negative impact on the environment because the ships, planes, and trucks used to transport food consume a lot of fuel, polluting our water, air, and land.

It’s Pesticide-Free

Pesticides, preservatives, waxes, and chemicals are less likely to be used on fruits and vegetables sourced locally. Out-of-season produce is not only harvested early but it is frequently contaminated with various contaminants to help extend its shelf life. When we buy produce from other countries, we don’t always know what their pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide regulations are. Purchasing locally and seasonally increases your chances of obtaining organic, pesticide-free goods. Although it is becoming easier to find organic food, smaller farmers frequently cannot afford the costly process of organic certification but continue to use natural, clean processes. If you’re unsure or want to learn more, don’t be afraid to talk to the farmers at your local market.

Winter Season

The winter season may not be particularly colorful, but it is known for producing a variety of colorful fruits that are beneficial to one’s health. Colder temperatures can cause a variety of health issues, including the common cold, viral infections, and dry skin. Incorporating seasonal fruits into your diet throughout the winter months strengthens immunity and improves general health, allowing you to cope with seasonal issues. Here is a list of some colorful winter season fruits and vegetables:

• Chestnuts
• Grapefruit
• Lemons
• Oranges
• Guava
• Tangerines
• Leeks
• Radicchio
• Radishes
• Rutabaga
• Turnips

Spring Season

Who doesn’t enjoy biting into a sweet, juicy, bright, and plentiful pineapple or munching on a crunchy carrot? Spring brings a bounty of fresh, natural foods that are vibrant in color and flavor. Another advantage of spring fruits and vegetables is that they are nutritional powerhouses. They can assist your body in naturally obtaining the vitamins and minerals it requires to stay healthy. Here’s a list of spring season fruits and vegetables you should consider consuming:

• Apricots
• Avocado
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Rhubarb
• Strawberries
• Artichoke
• Asparagus
• Carrots
• Kale
• Spring onions
• Celeriac
• Chives
• Collards
• Fava Beans
• Fennel
• Fiddlehead Ferns
• Morels
• Mustard Greens

Summer Season

Summer fruits provide a smorgasbord of nutrients in addition to their delicious flavor. Most summer fruits are high in antioxidants and phytochemicals (plant chemicals, many of which are thought to have cancer-fighting properties), as well as vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Some of the fruits and vegetables include:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Plums
• Raspberries
• Tomatoes
• Watermelon
• Broccoli
• Cucumber
• Green Beans
• Zucchini

Fall Season

The autumn harvest includes a wide range of root vegetables and crisp fruits, which are ideal for preparing hearty meals to enjoy as the weather cools. And there’s good news for you: those same delicious fall vegetables and fruits are also high in nutrients, so eat up. These seasonal fruits, which range from cranberries and apples to pumpkin and winter squash, provide a plethora of health benefits.

• Apples
• Cranberries
• Figs
• Grapes
• Pears
• Passion fruits
• Key limes
• Pomegranate
• Quince
• Butternut Squash
• Cauliflower
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Sweet Potatoes
• Swiss Chard

Now that you Know…

Finally, don’t think that eating seasonally requires a complete commitment. If you enjoy fruits and vegetables that are available all year, go ahead and eat them. Begin by incorporating seasonal foods into your diet and gradually increase your intake. And remember that by choosing seasonal items, you are increasing your nutrient intake, saving money, and making a better choice for yourself and the environment.