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With year-round availability of nearly any food imaginable, eating seasonally has become a thing of the past. But unfortunately, this increased convenience of one-stop shopping has removed us from the way we are designed to eat! Instead of picking a fruit off a tree, or a vegetable from a vine, we are shopping for round, waxy produce from a pile of identical fruits and vegetables in the refrigerated section. This type of eating, while highly convenient, confuses our bodies, wallets, and the environment! So, what exactly are the benefits of shifting toward more seasonal eating?
It tastes better!
Aside from long-distance transportation, out-of-season crops are harvested early, refrigerated, artificially ripened, and left in bins at the grocery store for days, sometimes weeks. All of these factors, especially the cooling and heating, change the flavor and nutrient content of the produce. It’s not just the experience that makes a trip to the farmer’s market or your personal garden taste better, the freshness and handling actually affect how it tastes! It goes without saying, if it tastes better, we are likely to eat more of it. Yummier fruits and veggies equate to eating more fruits and veggies. You can’t lose there!
It saves you money!
Peak season produce is cheaper for the farmer to grow, store, and distribute, and this leads to lower costs being passed down to the consumer. Say hello to low prices!
It supports your body’s seasonal needs!
Peak produce is closely aligned with our bodies’ nutritional needs. In the heat of summer, we are most in need of hydration and cooler foods, such as berries and cucumbers. Conversely, winter offers citrus fruits packed with Vitamin C to boost immune function and equip us against getting sick. During the Spring, leafy greens are abundant to aid in detoxification from the bulk season of heavier foods. Do you see the trend here? Our bodies are aware of their needs, but it is our responsibility to answer those needs. Eating seasonally does just that!
Depending on your geographic location, different fruits and vegetables are available to you throughout the year, and deciphering between in-season produce and those that have traveled from thousands of miles away is easier than you may think. Try some of these tips to figure out what’s in season in your area: -Watch for produce sales! -Shop farmer’s markets -Speak to local farmers -Join a CSA -Visit restaurants that serve seasonal foods -Check to see if produce price tags or stickers indicate the region Lastly, here are some great resources: - See what is in season near you: https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org - Search local farms and restaurants that subscribe to seasonal produce: https://www.eatwellguide.org/
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