As fall rolls in, your wardrobe isn’t the only thing you should switch up. Along with the longer sleeves, booties, and tights, have you added the hot new fruits and veggies to your shopping list? If not, then allow me to introduce you to seasonal eating. Seasonal eating is something that you might be doing without knowing. It’s basically eating produce that grows locally during the given season. We’re accustomed to eating whatever fruits and veggies we want year-round, but it turns out that in-season, local foods have the most vitamins and nutrients without the extra chemicals used to ship your food across the country.
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The good news is that finding seasonal and local produce is getting easier thanks to farmer’s markets, produce delivery services, and our Forever First Lady, Michelle Obama, who made home gardens great again.
Health enthusiasts and advocates like Mrs. Obama agree that eating seasonal fruits and veggies can have positive effects on your health and your wallet.
For starters, seasonal eating cuts down on the distance that your food has to travel, so you get to enjoy your produce closer to its peak ripeness. This means you’ll get the maximum amount of nutrients from your fruits and veggies along with the purest taste that nature intended.
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Eating with the seasons also means that fewer chemicals like pesticides can come in contact with your favorite fall foods, making them safer for you to eat than off-season produce.
As if you needed more reason to eat seasonally, in-season fruits and veggies are usually cheaper because the food is grown locally and has fewer transportation costs included in the price.
Now get out your grocery list and make sure you add some of my favorite fall foods to your list. Pro tip: If it’s on sale at the grocery store, it’s probably in season!
1. Brussels Sprouts
crunchiness with a bit of added flavor.
2. Pumpkins
There are plenty of ways to take advantage of the pumpkin goodness — you can puree it, stew it or bake it into your favorite recipe, or just eat the seeds for a high-fiber snack that won’t ruin your diet.
3. Apples
Now is the time to run to the grocery store for all the apples you desire. You can even head to your nearest apple orchard to pick your own, (almost) pesticide-free apples. Apples are still worth all the trouble because they have been found to reduce the risk for hypertension, diabetes and heart disease.
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4. Pears
Plus, pears are packed with vitamins C, K, and B which can give you an energy boost. You’ll also get in calcium, magnesium and potassium, which can help to strengthen your immune system for the colder months. During the fall, look for Bosc and Bartlett pears, which are in season in the U.S. You can eat them alone or add them to a smoothie for a twist.
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5. Turnips & Rutabagas
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