With today’s complex food systems it is super easy to forget that the foods that are readily available are not always the foods that are in season where we live. Eating along with the seasons is not only a great way to improve your health, it is a great way to support your local communities, economy and can be budget-friendly. But don’t think you have to go all-in on seasonal eating at first, especially if you are used to eating your berries in winter or tomatoes in the spring ;-). Start with what you can and add local, seasonal foods as you go. A great way to do this is to find a farmers market close to your house, purchase produce and (meat products too!) from Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), or start a small garden in your backyard.
I realize that not everyone has the privilege to eat this way depending on where you live and the time of year, so just do what you can, when you can, and don’t worry if you can’t eat seasonally and locally all the time.
Let’s dive right into the benefits!
Your food will taste better. Produce that is picked at peak ripened state just tastes better. If your produce is coming from across the country or across the globe, it is likely picked before it’s ripe and has to ripen in a dark box or container. Or it is picked when it is ripe and by the time it gets to you, it is overripe or is just not as fresh. Sometimes produce is even sprayed with chemicals to prevent it from ripening too quickly.
Your diet will be more nutrient dense. Produce picked and eaten at the peak of ripening and freshness ensures that the nutrient profile of the fruit or vegetable is fully developed so that you are getting the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Soil quality, amount of sunlight, and the climate all contribute to the nutrient makeup of foods. Studies have shown that produce grown in-season often has more vitamins and minerals than the same produce grown out of season.
You’ll consume fewer pesticides. Eating seasonally and locally increases your chances of eating organic or pesticide-free. Smaller farmers often can’t afford the official organic certification but are often still following organic practices. Don’t be afraid to ask the vendors at your local farmer’s market or the employees of your CSA.
A diverse diet is more gut-friendly. Eating seasonally ensures that you are eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. You are more likely to try new foods and new recipes and you won’t get bored. Try one or two unfamiliar vegetables or fruits each week. Eating a diverse diet with lots of variety is a great way to support the gut microbiome. Our good gut bacteria love to be exposed to the widest variety of foods possible. The microbiome changes along with the seasons too. In the summer, you’re likely to have bacteria in your gut that thrives on raw fruits and vegetables, while in the winter, you may have bacteria that prefer starchier foods.
You might save a few bucks. Seasonal produce is more abundant (supply is greater), so it tends to cost less per pound in the store. If you are buying produce that is out of season, expenses are higher to get it to you.
You’ll be more in tune with nature. In the warm, summer months we crave cool and juicy foods like watermelon, cucumbers, leafy greens, and tomatoes. When the weather turns cooler we crave heartier, warmer foods such as root vegetables and darker greens. When spring rolls around we reach for detoxifying foods like citrus, leafy greens, asparagus, radishes, and spinach.
You’ll help the environment. When produce has to travel, it takes a toll on the environment. Food production, packaging, and transportation release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and fossil fuels, which contribute to acid rain, air pollution, and global warming. Eating seasonally (and better yet, locally!) really helps to cut down on this impact.
You are supporting your community. Buying your produce from local farmer’s markets and CSAs is a great way to support your local farms, build your community, and better connect you to where your food is coming from and who is growing it. Additionally, when people learn about the farms where their food actually comes from, they have a greater appreciation for the meals made from those ingredients.
Tips for eating seasonally:
Shop at farmers markets or purchase a share of a local CSA to help support your community
Try growing your own produce at home with an indoor and/or outdoor garden
Freeze, dehydrate, or can fresh produce when it is in season to enjoy later
Ferment or pickle seasonal vegetables to preserve and even increase their nutrient-density (try my saurkraut recipe here or my fermented foods round up)
When we align ourselves with the cyclical nature of seasons themselves and their bounty, we can fully enjoy the uniqueness of each season and connect more organically with the passing of time. Our bodies and minds crave seasonal changes, we are designed for it, so let’s lean in!
I love this one-page quick guide to what produce is in season when.
