Eat Seasonally And See for Yourself
There is nothing better than waking up early and heading to the farmers market on a Sunday. The abundance of fresh fruits, herbs, and vegetables is worth the journey alone. You can also purchase local meets and homemade baked goods. It does not get any better than that! You are also supporting members of your local community by purchasing foods produced from local farms. You will notice that foods that are in season smell better, taste better, and even make you feel better. After choosing to eat seasonally I have a difficult time enjoying certain fruits and vegetables that have been trucked to the grocery store from places like Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru. In the cold months of winter foods like; tomatoes, strawberries and cucumbers do not look or taste nearly as good as when they are in season. Not to mention they do not carry the same nutritional value either. The convenience of eating foods out of season or foods that cannot be grown in certain areas is expensive as well. So to save your taste buds and your bank account I will be offering a few tips on how to eat seasonally in this post.
- Make a list of your favorite foods and what season they are available.
Here’s my list of some of my seasonal favorites living in the Northeast:
Spring Summer Fall Winter
Vegetables Vegetables Vegetables Vegetables
- asparagus fennel brussel sprouts winter squash
- beets carrots pumpkin turnips
- broccoli celery parsnips sprouts
- kale cucumber sweet potato carrots
- cauliflower red onion rutabaga cabbage
Fruits Fruits Fruits Fruits
- Apples peaches pears apples
- strawberries cherries grapes pears
Herbs Herbs Herbs Herbs
- Thyme basil *season with dried herbs from spring/summer
- Dill Mint
- Sage rosemary
- Can fruits and vegetable while they are in season and stock up for the fall and winter. If canning is not for you then try to purchase canned or jarred foods but be sure to check the sodium levels.
- Grow your own vegetable garden. If a large vegetable garden is not for you then try a small potted garden with foods like cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and cucumbers.
- Join a local farm program that will deliver fresh local vegetables that are in season right to your door. Even if you are not sure what some of the vegetables are it gives you an excuse to do some research and try new recipes. Who knows you may love it!
It does not have to be a fast transition. Slowly introduce local foods to your grocery list and make it a habit to visit your local farmers market weekly. Find healthy recipes and have a little fun. You will quickly realize that after eating local seasonal foods that there is not reverting back to your old ways. Your taste buds, waist line, and wallet will be thanking you!
References
Wilkins JL, Bokaer-Smith J. Northeast Regional Food Guide Fact Sheets. eCommons, Cornell. 1996. http://ecommons.cornell.edu/bitstream/1813/5085/2/Northeast. Accessed April 20, 2015.
Zevnik, N. Eating seasonally. Better Nutrition. 2013;75(11), 66-68.