The third harvest of the season is here but sometimes with the availability of most any type of food all year long we may forget to focus our eating on the foods in-season. When you eat the foods that are in season you are supporting your body in thriving through the weather conditions of that season. As we now head into the colder months you will notice that falls foods are denser then spring foods. They are packed with more nutrients, fiber and they hold more water within rather then being juicy. We too need to retain extra nutrients and fluid in the winter. The cold will cause more oxidation to occur in our bodies so we also need more antioxidants to maintain and heal. These fall foods are abundant with antioxidant such as vitamin C, E, carotenoids, flavonoids. The B vitamins are so necessary in the proper function of our nervous system and their ability the help other nutrients work at their best. As we become less active in winter our metabolism slows down so we need to all our cells to be working strong and effortlessly the abundance of minerals in these fall foods helps do just that.
So eat up on all these wonderful fall delights so you will be strong and healthy throughout the winter months.
Pumpkin, Butternut squash, Acorn squash; Vitamin C, E, flavonoids, carotenoids, fiber
Parsnips; Vitamin C, folate, fiber
Cranberries; Vitamin C, fiber, phytonutrients
Apples; Vitamin C, fiber, Phytosterols, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium
Red Beets; vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and C, calcium, magnesium, copper, phosphorus, sodium, iron, fiber, flavonoids
Cabbage; vitamin C, E, fiber, calcium, magnesium, iron, carotenoids
Daikons; Vitamin C, digestive enzymes
Kale; vitamin C, K, Folate, calcium, potassium
Nuts; B vitamins, vitamins E, F, copper, fiber
