The Health Benefits of Eating Seasonally | Integrative Wellness Clinic

Although we don’t always notice the ‘changing seasons’ here in Florida, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take advantage of the autumn harvest. The shift from summer into fall and winter offers up an opportunity to eat foods that are only available during this time of year.

Whatever time of year it may be, eating seasonally allows us to reap the rewards of the natural cycles of the earth, meaning we get the best tastes, the best prices, and, most importantly, the most nutritional benefit.

In this post, our integrative doctor explains the health benefits of eating seasonally and why it’s particularly important if you are on a journey toward better vitality and longevity.

Get the Most Bang for Your Buck When You Eat Seasonally

There are many benefits to eating in-season foods. Purchasing in-season foods is typically more cost-effective since this produce travels a shorter distance from the farm to your plate. Farmers have to spend far less on transportation and storage.

Not only that, but the food you eat in season will have much greater nutritional value. You’re paying less for more!

No Artificial Ripening or Preservatives

Seasonal produce that naturally ripens in the sun is fresher without the need for ripening agents that can be toxic endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, and damaging to the gut lining (hello leaky gut).

Even more ‘natural’ ripening agents used on organic produce such as ethylene are extracted from petroleum and natural gas, making them unsustainable for long-term use and harmful to the environment.

Ripening agents are highly toxic to humans and/or damaging to the environment.

Plus, in-season produce will arrive on grocery store shelves much more quickly without the need for any sort of preservative chemicals. Many chemicals used for these processes are metabolic inhibitors, neurotoxins, and endocrine disruptors, and are generally harmful to the planet.

Higher Nutritional Value

When food can grow and ripen under natural conditions and is quickly transferred from the ground or vine to the grocery store aisles, it contains a much higher amount of nutrients, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

Eating seasonally to get the most nutritional benefit from the food you put in your body!

The longer food sits before reaching your mouth, the more nutritional value it loses. It’s best to eat produce as soon as possible after it is harvested. Plus, it tastes far more flavorful!

Support for Your Body’s Natural Needs

Eating with the seasons supplies your body with its unique, natural needs during the specific time of year. In winter, the earth bears a variety of citrus fruits, which are high in Vitamin C for supporting the immunity system when colds and coughs are at a high.

Other fall and winter vegetables are excellent for preparing warm soups, stews, and casseroles. These types of meals can be prepared in large quantities, giving your body time to rest on the days when you eat leftovers and the days are shorter.

On the other end of the spectrum, summer fruits are full of beta-carotene and carotenoids that keep us protected from sun damage. Plus, summer fruits and veggies are sweet and cooling for energizing and refreshing nourishment.

Tips for Eating Seasonally

Now that we’ve told you why eating seasonally is so important, here’s how you can do it! By paying attention to what’s in its growing season in Florida, you can boost your body to function healthily and resist any harm the environment throws your way.

Unlike many places in the United States, Florida’s most intense agricultural output comes in the winter when our weather is a bit milder. So, you’re in luck as we roll into November. Below, we’ll share the best produce to eat throughout the year.

Fall

No matter what part of Florida you live in, autumn is the best time of year to get out and into the garden. Here are some delicious foods to either grow yourself or buy from your local market:

Avocado
Carambola
Cucumber
Eggplant
Grapefruit
Mushroom
Orange
Peanut
Squash
Sweet Corn
Tangerine
Tomato

Winter

With shorter days and (slightly) cooler temperatures, winter tends to be the best time of the year to grow leafy greens and berries. Try making a delicious berry salad!

Avocado
Pepper
Passion Fruit
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Celery
Cucumber
Eggplant
Mushroom
Orange
Radish
Snap Beans
Squash
Strawberry
Sweet Corn
Tomato
Guava

Spring

Spring is the best time of year for delicious Florida avocados and peppers. Keep in mind, that more pests start to appear this time of year which can wreak havoc if you aren’t growing yourself!

Avocado
Pepper
Carrot
Celery
Cucumber
Eggplant
Potato
Blueberries
Watermelon
Peach
Orange
Grapefruit
Tomato
Tangerine
Papaya

Summer

While most parts of the U.S. produce some of the most fruits and veggies in the summer, Florida is just too hot! We still have some delicious refreshing fruits such as:

Star Fruit
Guava
Longan
Lychee
Mango
Passion Fruit
Watermelon

Whatever you are eating, no matter the time of the year, getting a variety of foods into your system is one of the most important things you can do for your health. There are plenty of wild foods within your immediate vicinity that can offer you countless benefits! Having a direct relationship with the food you eat and how it’s grown offers so many benefits that we’ll have to cover in a future blog post.

Boost Your Wellness > 5 Healthy Eating Habits

Shift with the Seasons & Heal with Seed and Soil Wellness

Whether you live in Florida or another part of the world, we highly recommend looking into your local growing seasons to find the foods that will have the greatest benefit for your body, the environment, and your wallet!

As we’ve talked about before on this blog, your gut health impacts the well-being of your whole body, and it starts with what you put in your mouth. If you love food as much as we do at Seed and Soil Wellness but are confused about how to use it to your benefit to start healing, reach out to our holistic wellness doctor to schedule your free consultation!