4 Reasons to Eat Seasonally

Eating seasonally is something that humans have been now for thousands of years.  Its intuitive and all started with the first hunters and gatherers.  Then men would go out and hunt for meat while the women would go and collect seasonal produce, nuts, spices, and herbs.  Anything that was edible and within reach.  We've come a long way since then in both good and bad ways; however the biggest being is that we no longer necessarily need to be seasonal eaters.  A good portion of the world has access to all types of produce year-round, making seasonal eating a way of the past.

For instance, if your craving blueberries in the dead of winter most likely you will be able to find them at your local grocery store.  But have you ever noticed how bitter they taste?  Berries are a summer fruit and are at their sweetest, juciest state then.  Not only that but they are less expensive!  These are only a couple of the reasons why eating seasonally is a tradition that should continue...

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4 Reasons to Eat Seasonally

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More Affordable

When produce is in season its going to be more affordable as its easier for farmers to get it to market.

Healthier

One of the best reasons for eating seasonally is that you will be offering your body a rich variety of flavors, textures, vitamins, and nutrients that you may not have had throughout the rest of the year.  Foods that are harvested in-season are filled with nutrients as they've had more time to ripen.

When eating seasonally, our bodies are reaping the cyclically benefits found in the produce of that season.  For example, "red grapes and blueberries, available in late summer and autumn, contain stilbenoid compounds that work with vitamin D to boost the immune system in preparation for the colder months ahead. Spring foods, such as leafy greens, are nutrient dense, giving us the energy we need for the New Year. Moreover, they are packed with chlorophyll to detoxify the liver and purify the blood. Always useful after a New Year’s celebration". 

More Flavor

Seasonal foods are harvested at the height of their freshness.  This means that in-season produce will be rich in flavor.

Encourages Experiementation

Eating seasonally sometimes means eating foods that you don't have a lot of experience with.  Instead of looking at this with uncertainty look at it as a challenge to create and experience new dishes!  Take a look at this recent post that we did on seasonal autumn dishes.

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References:

Barnett, Penelope.  Back to Basics: Why Eating Seasonally Is Worth It.  Better Food.

Seidenburg, Casey.  The Health Benefits of Eating Seasonal - And 10 Ways to Start.  Chicago Tribune, 2017.