“Seasonal eating” is a term that refers to choosing fruits and vegetables that are currently in season. Now, this may seem simple, but with so many choices available at all times in our grocery stores, how can you know what is seasonal and what isn’t? How do you make the best choices for your health and budget? You might have heard health experts touting the benefits of a seasonal diet, but where in the world do you start? After all, as climates vary from location to location, isn’t everything in season somewhere?
Fountain of You, Melbourne, FL’s premier anti-aging and aesthetic office, cares about your entire person. Your health and well-being begin with a balanced whole food approach to eating. We often speak of the importance of diet and the impact it makes on your entire self. We want you to be informed so that you can make the best choices for yourself. One thing is for sure, the closer to nature a food is, the better. Let’s take a closer look at eating “in-season” and discover the benefits it can hold for you.
The globalization of the food industry means that foods can be shipped from anywhere in the world and arrive on grocery shelves in record time. However, this does not mean that the incoming food items are best. Eating within season means that you are choosing vegetables and fruit that are local to your area. How can you tell? A quick internet search will give you a great idea of what produce items are in season where you live. For example, here in Florida summer, seasonal produce includes:
- Avocado
- Cantaloupe
- Guava
- Mango
- Papaya
- Passion Fruit
- Peanuts
As you can see, the summer season brings about fruits here in this part of the world. This changes during the cool season when vegetables like cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuces, and more are ripe and fresh. These are not exhaustive lists and we encourage you to dig deeper and find out what is local and ripe in your area.
One way to tell if foods are in season is to be a savvy consumer. Seasonal produce items are generally less expensive when in season. This is because stores have the ability to buy from local producers as opposed to paying for items that are out of season and having them shipped across the country or the world. When you buy in season, chances are you are also supporting farms and vendors that are close to where you live and do business. It is a way to assist smaller farms and those within your region. Community supported agriculture at work!
Another benefit of eating within a season is that you will be eating your produce within its intended consumption timeframe, making it more nutritious. The food does not spoil on its way to you because it is picked closer to home. The vegetables do not sit on a packing truck or require long-term refrigeration just to prevent spoilage. The foods do not lose their flavor as quickly either.
All around, it’s a great idea to try and incorporate more seasonal items into your diet. You can save money, support regional and local farmers, and enjoy more flavor. Who doesn’t love that?
