Why You Should Eat Seasonally
In the fall we enjoy squash, in the summer – strawberries! And although you can find squash in the spring or strawberries in the winter, you've probably heard the phrase "they're in season right now." While in modern times, we no longer have to wait for a specific season to enjoy some of our favorite fruits and vegetables, there are many reasons to learn about and plan for seasonal eating. From health benefits to cost, eating seasonally can improve your life in more ways than one.
Seasonal eating means actively incorporating food currently in season into your diet. In doing so, you are eating your produce at its peak freshness, at the time of year when it is naturally ready for harvest. While previously, summer produce in America was unable to thrive during winter, we can now import it from places that stay warm all year long. Produce grown outside of its natural season is often picked early for shipping time from areas whose weather can support the growing process. While we love the convenience of this luxury, it does mean we can miss out on the perks of eating seasonally.
Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine that originated in India over 3,000 years ago, has a term to describe eating seasonally called “ritucharya.” Ritucharya consists of two words – "ritu," which means season, and "charya," which means regimen. The purpose of ritucharya is to aid in the physical and mental impact of seasonal changes. There are six seasons in Ayurveda and ritucharya details certain foods to eat according to each season. In doing so, it is believed you are receiving the proper nutrients from your food to stay healthy year long.
While your seasonal eating doesn't have to be as structured as ritucharya, it is worth noting that the benefits of eating produce in season have been acknowledged throughout history. Studies have shown that in season produce is more nutrient-dense than when picked outside of its season. In a study conducted by the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, broccoli picked in the fall, its natural season, contained more vitamin C than when picked in the spring. Produce picked out of season usually needs ripening agents to assist it in ripening year-round, skipping out on the nutrients that develop when food ripens organically.
Aside from nutrition, the benefits of eating seasonally include:
Better taste - Quantity is often prioritized over taste to meet demand out of season. In addition, produce flavor can alter during shipment from far away locations.
Lower cost - When a food is in season, a greater quantity is available for consumers. This rise in supply lowers cost, making your food cheaper.
Better for the environment - When food travels shorter distances, it has a smaller carbon footprint. More than half of America's fruit and almost a third of our vegetables are imported from other countries to provide all produce year-round.
Supports local farmers - Produce from the farmers market tastes better for a reason! Buying local produce ensures you are eating what is fresh and in season from smaller growers who will appreciate your support far more than large corporations.
Seasonal eating has numerous benefits and a long-standing history that encourages us to think deeper about our diets and how we consume food. If you're excited to start eating seasonally, but don't know where to start, you can head to seasonalfoodguide.org for a complete guide to when all your favorite foods are in season.
Fleming, A. (2014, April 22). Does local, seasonal produce really taste better? The Guardian. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2014/apr/22/local-seasonal-produce-taste-better.
Seasonal Food Guide. (n.d.). Why Eat Seasonally? Seasonal Food Guide. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.seasonalfoodguide.org/why-eat-seasonally.
Julie M. Goolsby, M. A. (2019, October 16). 4 reasons to eat by the seasons + what is in season right now. Mind-Body Green. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4807/10-Reasons-To-Eat-Whats-In-Season.html.
Dabur. (n.d.). Ritucharya. Dabur. Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://www.dabur.com/amp/in/en-us/about/science-of-ayurveda/ayurvedic-daily-routine/ritucharya-ayurvedic-seasonal-regimen.