
For me there is something instinctive about seasonal eating and following the natural cycle of produce. As the weather warms up and season’s change we naturally switch up our diets; consciously but most likely unconsciously allowing the season’s to support our body’s natural cycle.
The cycle of looking after the environment and the environment looking after you
Each season’s produce is designed by nature to support our bodies in making the transition from one season to the next. In spring, we have access to leafy greens which support our liver in regulating the body’s energy system. In winter, we turn our heads to more starchy foods with theories touching on this being an instinctive reaction for survival left over from when food could be scarce in winter months. As summer approaches, we want to stay hydrated and cool by eating water dense fruits, cucumbers and bright leafy salads.
Supporting the environment
Eating with the seasons and buying local supports both your environment and tomorrow’s environment. Reducing the number of miles your food has to travel before it reaches your plate reduces pollution and also gives small local businesses a chance to compete with the big cooperate giants. Often, the smaller companies offer better incentives and more advantages and the money you give to them goes further.
Extra taste at no cost to your pockets or to your health
Choosing to eat the foods in season really do taste better. This is because they have been allowed to ripen naturally and they are picked at the optimum time so are packed full of flavour and freshness. No need to add refined sugar to your strawberries for extra sweetness!
Optimum nutrition
Seasonal foods are picked at peak freshness; their nutritional content is far superior than opting for produce out of season. Seasonal diets are diverse and provide your body with an array of vitamins, mineral and antioxidants essential to your health and wellbeing.
Greater immune health
Food in season not only tastes better due to it’s optimum freshness but also contains ingredients that generally suit the body’s needs for that time of year. Summer fruits for example contain natural anti-histamines for the allergy season that is in full bloom.
Organic/cleaner produce
Produce grown out of season or not in it’s natural environment isn’t a natural process. We turn to pesticides, preservatives and other chemicals to get our food on our plates and we don’t spare a thought for our health or the environment and the long-term threats that our insatiable appetites pose on our worlds.
Positive vibes and positive bank balance
There’s something instinctive about seasonal eating and keeping to the rules the natural cycles of produce bring. Knowing you are doing the best for yourself and others as well as your local and larger environment through mindful eating is a rewarding and sustainable way of life. Seasonal produce happens to be cheaper than out of season produce meaning the small menial task of researching what produce is in season is overwhelmed by an abundance of positives.
I am going to be making a calendar to help me keep track of what produce is in season and create healthy and relevant recipes around nature’s own supermarket.
Peace to the planet and peace to your pockets!
Love always, The Humble Avocado x x
As you indicated, eating seasonal produce contributes to sustainability. A good post..
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Thanking you- glad you enjoyed đŸ˜‡
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A tip from me is heading to a local farmers market. Chances are the stuff they’re selling is in season, produced locally and it’s a good excuse to get out and stretch your legs.
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That’s a great tip, thank you for sharing!
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