Go into the grocery store produce section any time of the year and, with a few exceptions, you’re likely to find the same fruit and veg offered year-round. And while this kind of abundance is an incredible blessing that many people all over the world still don’t have access to, it also makes it easy to forget that different produce is normally in season at different times of the year. And, what’s more, there are benefits to eating seasonal produce that you may not be aware of.
6 Benefits Of Eating Seasonally
Now, before I get into the benefits I want to make it abundantly clear that there is nothing inherently or morally “good” or “bad” about eating food that is in or out of its natural season. The way we feed ourselves has become rife with judgment and while some of it may be good-intentioned, it usually does more harm than good.
I tend to be fascinated by some of the “nerdier” aspects of food, but I’m not about to label anyone’s food choices as “good” or “bad” because it is incredibly personal and we’re all just trying to do our best when feeding the sometimes-overly-complicated human bodies we’re in.
That being said, I do think that becoming more aware of and in tune with the natural seasons is a great way to become more connected with the food we eat and the world around us. And I believe that kind of connection can make eating more enjoyable and life, in general, feel a bit more special.
So, with that in mind, here are a few of the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables during their peak season.
1. Higher Nutrient Density
A study published in the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” found that fruits and vegetables harvested in their peak season have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared to those picked before they are fully ripe. While this certainly doesn’t mean that (for example) blueberries eaten in the middle of winter won’t have nutritional value, it does mean that blueberries harvested at their peak during the summer are going to have a more potent dose of their antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
2. Better Flavor
If you’ve ever bought tomatoes in the middle of winter only for them to be mealy and tasteless, then you can attest to this benefit. Produce purchased during its peak season has been allowed to ripen naturally and fully on the plant, which results in a richer, truer, more delicious flavor. And what’s not to love about food that tastes better and costs less?
3. More Cost-Effective
Produce tends to be more affordable during its peak season. This comes down to the cost it takes to grow the produce, as well as basic supply and demand. Growing produce out of season often requires special growing conditions, artificial ripening, and long-distance transportation, all of which add to the final cost. By knowing and prioritizing produce that’s in season, you can avoid overpaying for subpar fruits and veg.
4. A More Varied Diet
By noticing and selecting fruits and vegetables that are at their peak at different times of the year, you’ll naturally eat a more varied diet. While there’s nothing wrong with eating your favorites regularly (sweet potatoes being a personal favorite), eating a variety of fruits and vegetables means you’re more likely to get a more diverse mix of nutrients and beneficial plant chemicals.
5. Seasonal Health Support
Our bodies have different needs at different times of the year and the produce that’s at its peak during those seasons often offers exactly the nutrition our bodies need to thrive. For example, the fruit and vegetables that peak during the heat of summer (tomatoes, zucchini, melons) are light, cooling, and high in water content. The vegetables that peak during fall (root veg, winter squash) are grounding, nutrient-dense, and high in fiber. A lot of winter fruits and vegetables (broccoli, kale, citrus) are high in antioxidants and immune-supporting nutrients.
6. Opportunity To Support Local Farmers
Buying produce in season makes it easier to purchase from and support your local farmers. Shopping at farmer’s markets or signing up for a local CSA is a great way to support these small, local growers and experience seasonal produce that you otherwise may never have tried before. Signing up for a CSA was how I (in my mid-thirties, mind you) tried Swiss chard for the first time and fell in love!
Humans and plants have evolved together. And while it’s truly a modern marvel that we have such an abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables available to us all year long, there is a special connection that taps into a deeper wisdom that comes with a better understanding of the natural cycles of the world around us and how we fit into it all.
At least that’s what this plant-nerd believes. Besides, life is too short to eat disappointing produce.
