Fall brings its own color wheel of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Deep colors like oranges, reds, and purples are especially prominent in the cooler months. This fall, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, urges you to choose seasonal vegetables for a healthier and more cost-effective diet.
Buying seasonal produce can add zest and flavor to your meals. Eating seasonally ensures that you are eating the food when it is freshest and tastes the best.
Autumn means more than changing leaves, back to school and crisp mornings. It also means the return of some of our favorite recipes containing pears, broccoli, fresh root vegetables, hearty brussels sprouts and crisp apples.
What is seasonal eating?
Seasonal eating is defined as including foods in your diet that are harvested in the same season that you are eating them. Much like how flowers bloom at a certain time of year, the fruits and vegetables we eat each have a season where they are at peak performance. Eating seasonally is as simple as knowing what fruits and vegetables are being grown and harvested at what time of year.
In addition, eating seasonally helps you naturally get a broader variety of food in your diet. By shopping seasonally you can discover new fresh foods and ingredients that you wouldn’t have found otherwise.
Fall is the season for pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and more. For a full list you can check out your local farmers market, food co-op or the American Heart Association at www.healthyforgood.heart.org. This fall try oven roasting brussels sprouts with a balsamic glaze or preparing a warm ginger pumpkin bisque.
Seasonal eating is more than just a trendy food movement. It has many benefits for not only your health, but also your wallet. The economics behind seasonal eating is simple: When farmers are locally harvesting a food, it does not need to incur shipping or storage costs. Without these additives, you are paying for just the food, not the shipping.
For more delicious and healthy recipes with seasonal fall vegetables check out the American Heart Association at www.healthyforgood.heart.org.