The benefits of eating organic are well known, but what about eating seasonally? Diets based on seasonal eating emphasize locally grown in-season foods. By eating foods that are in season, those on a seasonal diet can benefit from the peak nutritional value of each food. This is in addition to the freshest, most flavorful taste.
Why is seasonal eating better? During the winter months, for example, if you want to eat fresh tomatoes in Southern California, they won’t be available because they aren’t in season. However, if you were to make your way to a farmer’s market near Anaheim during the summer, you’d find plenty of delicious tomatoes for sale. The tomatoes will be sweeter and more flavorful than the store-bought varieties, as they have been allowed to fully ripen on the vine and don’t have to be shipped from other locations.
Health-conscious individuals today embrace seasonal eating because of its many benefits for human health and the environment. Let’s look at some other benefits of eating in season and some ways to enjoy fresh, seasonal produce.
Eating seasonally boosts dietary diversity
Healthcare providers and nutritionists recommend getting at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day and more is better. You can boost the number and variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet by eating seasonally.
Why? Seasonal eating tastes better and is more pleasing to the palate. When you eat seasonally, you enjoy filling your plates with fruits and vegetables because of their superior taste. With seasonal eating, you’ll never have to eat dry, tasteless tomatoes or strawberries that taste like Styrofoam. At any given time, each region has its own unique selection of fruit and vegetables, and you can explore new options for preparing them.
You may need some time to adjust to the different flavors of fruits and vegetables when they’re in season (and not shipped halfway across the world). When you get accustomed to seasonal freshness and flavor, you’ll find yourself craving plant-based dishes, all because there are so many tasty options!
Eating seasonally offers health benefits
By eating seasonally, you can eat healthier, since the produce is fresher than what you’ll find in your local grocery store. Buying local seasonal produce reduces nutrient loss because it travels shorter distances and has less opportunity to be exposed to heat and light. Fruits and vegetables can lose a substantial quantity of vitamin C and some B-vitamins during transport.
In addition, eating various seasonal fruits boosts your health by providing a wider range of vitamins and minerals than eating one kind alone. When you choose a variety of vegetables and fruits in various shades and colors, you get the power of synergy between nutrients and phytonutrients.
Each color of produce is a marker of different phytonutrients and nutrients. For example, red is a marker of higher levels of lycopene, an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory activity. Some research links a diet higher in lycopene with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer. Purple is a marker for anthocyanins, an antioxidant linked to heart health. Adding more colors to your plate is a way to consume an array of nutrients that support health and well-being.
Seasonal produce is more affordable than out-of-season produce
One reason seasonal produce is a better choice is affordability. It can be tough to find out-of-season produce at a reasonable price, even if you have access to the finest grocery stores in town. Fruits and vegetables that are out of season are more expensive because of the extra steps needed to get them from farm to market. So, stock up while you can! If you buy too much seasonal produce, consider freezing or dehydrating the excess so it last longer.
Seasonal eating is better for the environment
Buying locally grown foods in season has environmental benefits too. Transporting food from faraway places requires more fossil fuels and releases more pollutants into the air. For example, if you live in the United States and buy apples from New Zealand, you’re contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. This is because those fruits are transported via plane or boat long distances to reach your local supermarket.
And there are other hidden effects of long-distance shipping that aren’t so obvious–for example, flying uses more fuel and produces more greenhouse gas emissions per mile than trucking does. Why fly fruit halfway around the world when you can buy it locally and in season?
Buying seasonal produce helps local farmers
Who doesn’t want to support small farmers and produce growers? You can do this by buying seasonal produce. By purchasing their fruits and vegetables, you help farmers maintain a sustainable business model by purchasing directly from them. This will ensure they continue to grow delicious food for your table and provide steady income throughout the year. Local farmers appreciate your business more than a faceless entity like a large grocery store chain. If you buy at a farmer’s market, you can even talk to them and find out more about their growing practices!
Conclusion
Seasonal eating is a way to enjoy delicious produce that retains more nutrients. Furthermore, it’s a more affordable option that benefits the environment and local farmers. Explore your local farmer’s market and learn about the farmers who produce your food.
Knowing where your food comes from can make all the difference in how healthfully you eat and how your food tastes. When you buy from local farmers, you also connect with and support your community. So, think locally and seasonally, and everyone will benefit!
References:
- “Seasonality and dietary requirements: will eating seasonal food ….” 21 Nov. 2013, cambridge.org/core/journals/proceedings-of-the-nutrition-society/article/seasonality-and-dietary-requirements-will-eating-seasonal-food-contribute-to-health-and-environmental-sustainability/08545F71A12EF0FE233E8D1DEFEF227A.
- “Reduce Carbon Footprint Seasonal Eating – CO2 Living.” 19 Jul. 2019, https://co2living.com/reduce-your-carbon-footprint-by-seasonal-eating/.
- “Climate change: Should you fly, drive or take the train? – BBC.” 23 Aug. 2019, bbc.com/news/science-environment-49349566.
- “The Benefits of Seasonal Eating – UMMS Health.” 05 Apr. 2022, https://health.umms.org/2022/04/05/seasonal-eating/.
- “How to Eat Seasonally: A Complete Guide – Healthline.” 08 Aug. 2022, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/seasonal-food.
- Seasonal Produce Guide. SNAP Education Connection. Published 2022. Accessed December 23, 2022. https://snaped.fns.usda.gov/seasonal-produce-guide
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