Seasonal Eating - Part 1
Understanding Seasonal Eating
Eating strawberries in winter and pumpkins in spring? That's not how our bodies are wired. Our ancestors ate what nature provided at different times of the year, and there's a lot of wisdom in that. Seasonal eating isn't a trendy catchphrase; it's about syncing your diet with nature's cycles. And trust me, it's a game-changer.
Top Benefits of Seasonal Eating
1. Nutrient Density
Seasonal foods are harvested at their peak, which means they're packed with the vitamins and minerals your body craves. You're getting the most nutritional bang for your buck.
2. More Flavour
Ever notice how a tomato in summer tastes like a little slice of heaven, but in winter it's more like cardboard? That's the magic of seasonal eating. Foods are infinitely more flavorful when they're in season.
3. Eco-Friendly
Eating seasonally is kinder to Mother Earth. It reduces the need for long-haul transportation and storage, cutting down on carbon emissions and energy consumption. (Does this mean I’m willing to give up avocados? No. It doesn’t. We all need our vices :)
4. Cost-Effective
In-season produce is often less expensive than out-of-season options that have been shipped from far away. Your wallet will thank you.
5. Digestive Harmony
Seasonal foods align with your body's nutritional needs for each season, aiding in digestion and overall gut health.
6. Immune Boost
Seasonal foods often contain the nutrients your body needs most for the current season. Think vitamin C-rich winter veggies to fend off colds and flu.
7. Supports Local Farmers
When you eat seasonally, you're more likely to buy local, supporting small-scale farmers in your community.
8. Reduces Sugar Cravings
When you eat foods that are in harmony with the season, you're giving your body the nutrients it needs to function optimally. This can help stabilize your blood sugar levels, reducing the likelihood of those pesky sugar cravings.
9. Reduced Exposure to Pesticides
Seasonal and local foods are less likely to be treated with chemicals to extend their shelf life, meaning fewer pesticides and preservatives on your plate.
10. Mindful Eating
Seasonal eating encourages a more mindful approach to food. You become more aware of what you're putting into your body and how it makes you feel.
11. Enhanced Connection with Nature
There's something incredibly grounding about eating foods when they're meant to be eaten. It fosters a deeper connection with the natural world.
Let’s dive into a couple of these topics a bit more.
Seasonal Eating and Digestion
When it comes to digestion, we often think about the foods we eat, but rarely do we consider the timing of when we eat them. Eating seasonally can have a profound impact on your digestive health.
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, collectively known as the gut microbiota. These bacteria play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and overall gut health. The composition of your gut microbiota isn't static; it changes with the seasons.
In winter, your gut flora leans towards bacteria that help us digest fats and complex carbohydrates—foods that are naturally abundant during the colder months. These bacteria help us break down the hearty, warming foods we crave when it's cold outside.
Come spring and summer, the bacterial composition shifts to favor those that help us digest lighter foods like fruits and vegetables. These bacteria are more efficient at breaking down simple carbohydrates and sugars, aligning perfectly with the produce that's in season.
When you eat seasonally, you're essentially feeding the bacteria that are most active and abundant during that particular time of year. This creates a harmonious relationship between your gut flora and your diet, making digestion more efficient.
For instance, eating a watermelon in the summer is not just a way to beat the heat; it's also easier on your digestive system because the bacteria that help break down the sugars in watermelon are more active. Similarly, indulging in root vegetables during the winter aligns with the bacteria that help digest complex carbohydrates.
Eating seasonally helps to create a symbiotic relationship between your gut and your food, optimizing digestion, and making you feel your best, no matter what the season.
The Immune Connection
When it comes to immune health, the nutrients you consume play a pivotal role. While vitamin C and zinc often steal the spotlight, the concept of seasonal eating offers a holistic approach to boosting your immune system.
Foods harvested in their prime season are nutritional goldmines. They contain optimal levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, many of which are essential for a robust immune system.
During winter, root vegetables like carrots, beets, and sweet potatoes are what many bodies crave. These veggies are high in vitamin C and other immune-supporting nutrients, making them ideal for fending off winter ailments.
As winter gives way to spring, leafy greens such as spinach and kale come into season. These greens are rich in folate and other B-vitamins that are crucial for immune function. They act as natural detoxifiers, preparing your body for the warmer months.
Summer provides an array of hydrating fruits like berries and melons. These fruits are not just refreshing; they're also packed with antioxidants that combat free radicals, thereby supporting immune health.
Fall brings a harvest of squash and pumpkins, which are rich in beta-carotene. Your body converts this into vitamin A, a key nutrient that supports immune function.
The beauty of seasonal eating lies in its natural alignment with your body's needs. Each season offers foods that are not just delicious but also contain the specific nutrients your immune system requires at that time of year. By tuning into this seasonal rhythm, you can naturally bolster your immune health, making you better equipped to ward off illnesses year-round.
Salads (in the winter) and Sugar Cravings
Salad ingredients, like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers are grown and picked at the hottest time of the year. Their high water content cools the body down on those hot afternoons.
And, until relatively recently, we only had access to these foods in the hot summer. But, now we can enjoy them all year long...and we kinda feel we "should" keep eating them.
Here's the thing - when you eat something light and cooling on a cold day your body has to warm you up. If you've also paired that salad with a low starch meal (no potatoes, root veggies, or grains), then your body hasn't been given the energy to warm you up properly.
So...it needs to find another option. That's when the little voice in the back of your head reminds you that there are some cookies in the cupboard. Or, a chocolate bar. And man, do they ever seem appetizing!
It's not your fault that you're craving sugar after this cooling meal, it's not a lack of willpower, it's your body trying to fix things. It needs to warm you back up!
So, instead of suffering through a salad (unless you're super warm blooded and feel really good when you eat a salad), switch to soups, stews, roasted/steamed veggies, or anything else gloriously warm.
Now, let’s dive into each season in a little more detail :).
Got any questions or comments? Comment below, jump to our private Facebook Group, or the Ask Lisa page :)