A guide to eating in season this Spring
As the seasons change, so does our food supply! In today’s post, we’ll be talking about what eating seasonally means, why you should consider eating seasonally, and what fruits and veggies are in season this Spring.
Eating in season
Eating seasonally means eating foods that are naturally grown and harvested during a specific time of year. This concept may be confusing given we can find our favorite foods at all times of the year when we walk into a grocery store. However, the reality is that foods are constantly being imported and exported from all over the world based on where they are in season to supply us with a year-round supply or crops are being manipulated through different farming techniques that can negatively impact our health . Eating seasonally is not only more sustainable, but also tastier, cheaper, and healthier!
Eating produce that is in-season tastes better because these fruits and veggies are able to ripen fully before being picked allowing them to be packed with nutrients and flavor. Plus, these foods are sourced more locally so they have less travel time, which makes them so much fresher with a huge increase in flavor.
Buying in-season produce is also cheaper, giving you an even greater incentive to eat seasonally. These foods are less expensive because they are sourced more locally, reducing travel expenses and labor. Additionally, since these food crops are in season and growing naturally, there is an increased quantity of these foods resulting in their price going down.
Lastly, eating in season can be healthier. In-season produce is picked at their peak time which means they have a high nutritional value when harvested and are less likely to lose their nutritional value in the transportation process from the farm to store since they are more local. As a RD, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to eat a variety of foods which is what eating seasonally prompts you to do. Eating this way not only increases the amount and types of vitamins and minerals you’re consuming, but it also diversifies your gut microbiome, which is essential for quality gut health!
Tips to eat in season
At the beginning of every month or season check out the in-season produce by doing a quick google search. See what fruits and vegetables stand out to you and think of some fun ways you can incorporate them into your day. Try looking up some recipes with these foods and see what looks appealing to you! When shopping in the grocery store, you will likely find that these foods are less pricey than normal which is another good clue. Additionally, going to the farmers’ market is a GREAT way to eat in-season and ensures all of the produce is local and super fresh; not to mention you’re supporting local farmers and small businesses, which we always love!
Spring fruits
As the weather begins to warm-up, I find that most of us start gravitating towards more fruits. I love to incorporate fruits in my morning smoothies and as a snack later in the day when I am craving something sweet and refreshing. Here’s a list of some of the fruits that are in season in Spring!
- Apples
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi
- Lemon
- Limes
- Pineapples
- Strawberries
Spring vegetables
Some of my favorite vegetables are in season in spring. These include root veggies (carrots, beets, radishes, turnips), cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower), and kale. It’s fun to get creative with these foods! For example, air-fried or baked root vegetable fries are delicious and packed with antioxidants. Broccoli-mashed potatoes are also a go-to for me, which is essentially just steamed broccoli that I put in the food processor and combine with garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and a dash of coconut milk. Spring veggies to focus on!
- Artichokes
- Asparagus
- Arugula
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Carrots
- Turnips
- Collard Greens
- Swiss Chard
- Spinach
- Kale
- Garlic
- Onion
- Snap Peas & Peas
- Mushrooms
- Radishes
- Peas
Note that these lists are not comprehensive and change by month and depending on your location. In my opinion, the best way to eat in-season is to visit your local farmers’ market!
The Bottom Line
Eating in-season is not only fun and gets you to expand your palate and be adventurous but there are numerous other benefits. Eating this way does not have to be complicated, rather it just takes a bit of research beforehand or a trip to the farmers’ market. Be sure to check in each season where we will be posting in-season produce guides!
Have questions? Click here to get in contact with me!
