Seasonal Eating

It’s fall y’all! Alongside the stunning landscape we get to call home, the fall season brings savory flavors and produce that's packed with nutrients. It’s a great time to shift your focus towards seasonal eating and reap the benefits that come with it. 

Seasonal eating involves consuming foods that are naturally available during a specific time of the year. This approach allows you to align your nutrition and diet with the changing seasons, and to prioritize produce at its freshest and most nutritious. Fall, in particular, offers a rich variety of ingredients that can enhance your health and wellness in various ways.

What this usually looks like in the fall is hardy, cool-weather crops like apples, pumpkins, pears, winter squash, sweet corn, okra, beets, carrots, kale, spinach, and broccoli. Cabbage, leeks, onions, and late-season berries like raspberries and strawberries are also still in season in the fall. 

Apples and pears are iconic fall fruits, perfect for snacking and baking. Winter squash (like acorn, butternut, and spaghetti) are staples for roasting and soups. And who doesn’t love pumpkin? Not just for lattes, pumpkins are highly nutritious and rich in betacarotine. Root vegetables, such as beets, carrots, parsnips, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and turnips thrive in cooler weather and are at their peak flavor. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower are also great seasonal fall options. Leeks and onions are also in their peak season and are a great way to add flavor to hearty fall dishes. 

One advantage of eating seasonal produce in the fall is the high nutrient density. As the weather cools and the days get shorter, plants prepare for the winter by concentrating their nutrients into their fruits and vegetables. This makes fall produce exceptionally rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Prioritizing in-season produce also yields more vibrant colors and satisfying flavors. These high-fiber fruits and vegetables also support healthy digestion. Eating seasonally is also an opportunity to explore new ingredients and feel more connected to the natural rhythm of the seasons. 

As you savor the tastes of fall, try visiting a local farmer’s market and look for recipes that feature fall produce. Maybe try a fruit or vegetable that you’ve never eaten before. The benefits of seasonal eating, and these nutrient-dense flavorful foods, shouldn’t be underestimated. So, embrace the harvest that fall has to offer - your taste buds, and your health, will thank you!