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September 10, 2016
Why Eating Seasonal Produce Is Best for Your Health
In a world of instant gratification, it’s easy to forget our our alignment to the natural world. For example, eating seasonal produce was once considered “eating.” Then, modern technology introduced us to produce from across the globe, year-round. The globalization of food could be seen as magical; it expanded our local menus and brought fresh food to places that typically lack access to nutrient-rich food. That said, globalized produce will never compete with the health benefits of eating seasonally.
Seasonal produce, in my humble opinion, is more magical than its globalized counterpart. For starters, it tastes better and looks sexier because you’re eating food at its highest nutritional peak. Basically, you aren’t consuming produce that was harvested and then shipped across the country (or continents!), causing it to lose vital vitamins and minerals – not to mention vibrant, good looks. So by eating seasonally, you tune into the magic of plant-based nutrients, which are designed to support the dynamic needs of our bodies throughout the year.
Unconvinced? Here’s an example: Imagine a cold, winter afternoon. The sun begins to set at 4:00pm. You sit down to dinner. What sounds better: A nice chilled cucumber-mint gazpacho? Or sweet potato and kale stew with sourdough bread? Your intuition likely says the stew, and that equals your connection to the natural world. Let’s break it down further:
Summer Nutrients
Some of us may still be consuming summertime produce packed with water and natural sugars so we stay light and fresh, yet full of energy to get through the warm days.
- It’s especially important to munch on refreshing veggies like cucumber, watermelon, romaine, lemon, and celery. Or try our Sweet Greens juice for a quick fix.
- Stone fruits, melons and berries have fiber and sugar to sustain you, and the sweetness alone can elevate your mood.
Fall Detox
For most of us, Fall is quickly arriving. Our bodies adjust instinctively to colder climates and shorter days by craving foods that dispel excess summer heat.
- Harvest-ready apples or persimmons are especially good for summer detox.
- Fiber-rich, dark green vegetables like kale, spinach, collard greens are great for jumpstarting your digestion. Not into eating a ton of greens, but crave the nutrients? Give our Greens juice a go.
- Don’t miss out on healthy fats like fresh nuts and seeds, which are at peak nutrition when harvested in the fall.
Wintertime Energy
During wintertime, when it’s cold in many places, your body works to store energy and boost your immunity.
- Nourish your body with root vegetables or our Root Renewal+ juice, dark winter greens, and foods heavier in plant-based protein and fat like smashed sweet potatoes with coconut butter.
- Stay healthy during “cold season” by adding winter fruits like oranges and lemons to your diet (our Beta Glow juice is a great substitute); both are naturally high in immunity boosters like antioxidants and vitamin C.
Spring Cleanse
Springtime rolls in and bitter greens start to sprout. These are magical on their own as they support the entire digestive process:
- Helping the body absorb B12
- Stabilizing blood sugar and aiding in the release of pancreatic enzymes and bile, which our liver and gall bladder use to break down protein and carbohydrates; specifically, this helps us cleanse our winter “storage” and get ready for the hot summer months.
Tune into the magic of eating seasonal produce and you’ll take advantage of its profound life-changing effects. Your body and nature will be in the zone. All the energy that was once spent battling seasonal allergies, colds, discomfort and energy dips, can be used to reach your new PR’s in life. Consider it a free upgrade from nature.