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Including more seasonal foods in your diet not only provides a diverse and delicious array of options, but also offers numerous health benefits.
We can find leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables in abundance during the winter season, while refreshing fruits like watermelon, melon and mango make the summer season more special. Eating in season or adding more seasonal foods into our diet is a simple and effective way to acquire essential nutrients and stay healthy. It is common knowledge that seasonal foods are fresher, tastier, and have higher nutritional value than out-of-season foods. In addition to these benefits, seasonal foods aren’t sprayed with as many chemicals and pesticides to make them taste bigger or tastier.
“India is blessed with a diverse and rich variety of fruits and vegetables that changes with each season. Consuming these seasonal foods not only provides a delicious and nutritious range of options but also offers numerous health benefits,” she says Ruchi Sharma, nutritionist and founder of EAT FIT REPEAT (an online nutrition and wellness consultancy).
Here, the nutritionist highlights the top 5 health benefits of consuming seasonal foods. These include:
1. Boost immunity
Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables helps boost immunity as they are rich in essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants required by the body. For example, seasonal winter foods like carrots, cauliflower and oranges that are high in vitamin C can help fight infections and prevent colds and flu.
2. Improve digestion
Eating seasonal foods can help improve digestion, reduce bloating and promote gut health. The summer season brings with it refreshing fruits like watermelon, melon and mango which aid in digestion and also help rehydrate the body.
3. Aids weight loss
Eating in season means eating fresh, unprocessed foods. These foods provide the body with essential nutrients and fiber that keep you feeling fuller longer and prevent overeating. Foods like bitter gourd, bottle gourd and gourd which are commonly available in the monsoon season also help in weight loss.
4. Promotes healthy skin
Seasonal foods contain a range of essential nutrients and antioxidants that help keep skin healthy and glowing. Tomatoes, cucumbers and leafy greens in summer and guava, pomegranate and amla in winter are some of the seasonal foods that improve skin quality and reduce signs of aging.
5. Reduces the risk of chronic diseases
Eating foods that are in season can help reduce your risk of chronic disease. The nutrients in these foods help regulate blood sugar levels, control cholesterol and reduce inflammation. The winter season brings with it root vegetables like sweet potatoes, yams, and beets that are high in fiber and promote heart health.
Adopt a seasonal diet
Overall, incorporating seasonal foods into your diet is an effective way to improve overall health and well-being. By consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the year, the body can absorb essential nutrients and prevent chronic disease. Eating Indian seasonal foods not only provides a varied and delicious range of options but also offers numerous health benefits. By adopting a seasonal diet, you can improve immunity, digestion, manage weight, improve skin and prevent chronic disease, she adds Ruchi Sharma.
So, let’s make a conscious effort to choose seasonal foods and enjoy their benefits all year round.
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