Seasonal fruits and vegetables produced in local farms are fresh as the nutrients are retained due to less transport time. We all like to eat mangoes all-year-around and the best time to eat them is in the summer with a scoop of yoghurt or ice cream! Crops that are picked at the peak of their ripeness are full of flavour and taste. The joy of eating fresh produce can keep you high as you relish the freshness and flavour of the seasonal foods. Eating seasonal foods is a simple food philosophy, which should become a part of your health goals because of their innumerable health benefits! Seasonal Must-Haves To Add To Your Diet. Make a grocery checklist of the local fruits and veggies with the seasons. Buy from a local farmer; choose fresh and locally sourced vegetables and fruits. Add two different seasonal fruits a day to your snacks. Insane Nutrients You Can Get From Eating Seasonally. Melons in the summer are a must-have. They contain 92 per cent water, which prevents dehydration, balances electrolytes and keeps your skin on point. Oranges in winter can be comfort food. They are low in calories, provide satiety with its fibre and are rich in Vitamin C. Oranges are loaded with flavonoids that fight inflammations and infections in the winter. Skin becomes dry and rough in winter; eating oranges regularly can make your skin soft because of the collagen properties. Pumpkins in monsoon are a rich source of vitamin A and fibre. Eating them during monsoons provides satiety and vitamin C helps ward off colds and cough too. Secret Health Benefits Of Eating Seasonally. Seasonal must-haves support and encourage local farming, reduce the environmental damage caused due to non-seasonal foods which are transported, exposed to irradiation and hothouses. Freshly produced seasonal foods retain their pigments and anti-oxidants and provide essential nutrition. Seasonal foods are low in pesticides and other contaminants. They are fresh and easy to grow. Seasonal foods can be bought in reasonable quantity and stored for later use to prevent any contamination. Nature has provided us with seasonal foods with lots of benefits like winter has many comfort foods to keep us warm and vitamin C-rich foods prevent colds and infections. Same way, summer foods hydrate us and avoid heatstrokes Eating only seasonal foods may not be possible every time, still making sure to have them in your seasonal grocery checklist can be a boon to your health. Freezing seasonal foods is a good idea so you can use them at any time of the year. You can add them in soups, smoothies and even curries.

Dr. Lakshmi K 2 min read March 16, 2020