Benefits of incorporating seasonal produce into your daily nutrition | Adventist Health (2024)

You’ve probably heard of eating locally – but what about eating seasonally? Eating seasonally means choosing fruits and vegetables when they’re in their natural growing seasons in your geographic area. It has multiple benefits, both for your health and your community.

This spring and summer, incorporate more seasonal fruits and vegetables into your daily diet. In the springtime, foods like broccoli, garlic, kiwi and mushrooms are at their peak freshness. As we move into summer, it’s the perfect time to eat berries, bell peppers, melon and tomatoes.

Why is eating seasonally beneficial? Consider these five reasons.

  1. Seasonal produce is higher quality. Fruits and vegetables are fresher and higher quality when they’re in season. They also tend to have richer flavor. Fruits and vegetables that are grown out of season are modified with chemicals and may lose some of their nutritional benefits. When you buy in season, you’re more likely to buy something that hasn’t been modified with harmful chemicals.
  2. Support local farmers. Reinvest in your community by buying local produce. Find farmer’s markets in your area and visit frequently. Shopping at a weekly farmer’s market can also help you stay creative in the kitchen, as you may use ingredients you wouldn’t usually pick up!
  3. You’re helping the environment. Seasonal growing is less harmful for the environment than growing out-of-season crops. You can only grow foods outside of their natural season by modifying the environment. Doing this requires large amounts of water and nonrenewable energy. When you eat seasonally, you’re contributing to a more sustainable eating pattern that requires fewer artificial resources.
  4. You save money. Out-of-season produce is typically sourced from other areas that have different climates. It can be expensive to relocate that produce to your community. The travel and storage costs drive up the take-home price. Buying seasonally is typically much more cost-effective because farmers have a large abundance of in-season crops.
  5. Eating seasonally supports your body’s needs. Many of us crave different foods seasonally. You may reach for more stone fruits or salads in the summer and more citrus or root vegetables in the winter. Often, the nutritional benefits of seasonal produce lines up with your body’s seasonal needs. For example, stone fruits such as peaches and plums contain extra beta-carotenes, which protect our bodies from sun damage. Citrus is in-season in the winter, when extra vitamin C can help prevent infections. When you eat seasonally, you’re doing your body a favor!
Benefits of incorporating seasonal produce into your daily nutrition | Adventist Health (2024)

FAQs

Benefits of incorporating seasonal produce into your daily nutrition | Adventist Health? ›

Seasonal Produce is Healthier

Not only is locally-sourced seasonal produce fresher, it also has more nutrients. Anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, folate, and carotenes rapidly decline when stored for periods of time. Phyto-nutrient content is also reduced.

What are the benefits of seasonal produce? ›

Seasonal Produce is Healthier

Not only is locally-sourced seasonal produce fresher, it also has more nutrients. Anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, folate, and carotenes rapidly decline when stored for periods of time. Phyto-nutrient content is also reduced.

Why is it necessary to eat local and seasonal produce for a preferred food future? ›

Eating With The Seasons Reduces Environmental Impact

Eating local and seasonal foods reduces the carbon footprint associated with long transportation routes and refrigeration for foods that aren't readily available during certain seasons and therefore need importing.

What is seasonal eating and nutrition? ›

“Instead of repeatedly eating the same five fruit and vegetables all year round, seasonal eating encourages us to cycle foods a bit more which adds variety to, not only the flavours, but the nutrients on offer,” he says.

Why is seasonal produce healthier than produce purchased out of season? ›

Fruits and vegetables tend to be the most nutrient-dense right after they're harvested, when they're at that peak ripeness, which is part of why seasonal produce tastes better,” says Riehm.

Why are seasonal items important? ›

This is because the items will be fresher since they're in season. As a result, the items will have a longer shelf life, and you'll be able to avoid food waste and throwing them away for going bad.

What are the benefits of seasonal content? ›

Seasonal promotion campaigns help you to: Attract attention to your business and increase brand awareness. Boost product sales and revenue at certain times of a year. Increase visibility among your customers.

What are the benefits of buying local and seasonal food? ›

We are often being told that buying local and seasonal is best, but why? Does it really have an impact on eating in a climate conscious way?
  • Transport emissions are reduced. The short answer is yes! ...
  • Better taste. ...
  • Improved health benefits. ...
  • Reduced costs. ...
  • Supports your local economy.

Why should a person choose foods that are in season? ›

Abundance of Nutrients: When we consume foods in their natural season, they are at the peak of their freshness, flavour, and nutritional value. Fruits and vegetables harvested at the right time are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Why do we adapt recipes to include seasonal foods? ›

By eating seasonal produce, you can avoid the pesticides, waxes, and any other preservatives used to preserve the food that's out of season. Because seasonal produce is ripened naturally, they develop a rich and vibrant taste that is unparalleled to out-of-season produce.

How does Seasonal variation affect nutritional health? ›

The Science Behind Eating Seasonally

Both sexes reported an increase in calorie intake in winter. For the women in particular, vitamin C, iron and zinc intake was highest in spring, and cholesterol, retinol, vitamin D and niacin intake highest in autumn, suggesting different biological needs in different seasons.

Why is it important to try to incorporate vegetables at each meal? ›

Fruits and vegetables contain important vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals. They also contain fibre. There are many varieties of fruit and vegetables available and many ways to prepare, cook and serve them. A diet high in fruit and vegetables can help protect you against cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

How does buying Seasonal produce support your local community? ›

Benefits of Buying Seasonal and Local Produce

Supporting the Local Economy: Buying local supports farmers and small businesses in your community, helping to sustain local economies and livelihoods. Environmental Impact: Local produce has a smaller carbon footprint since it doesn't require extensive transportation.

What is the advantage of buying seasonal produce? ›

Seasonal produce is higher quality. Fruits and vegetables are fresher and higher quality when they're in season. They also tend to have richer flavor. Fruits and vegetables that are grown out of season are modified with chemicals and may lose some of their nutritional benefits.

Why is produce better in season? ›

Eating in-season produce provides more nutrition and more flavor. Produce that's not in season undergoes early picking, cooling, and heating that reduces the flavor. Fruits and vegetables in season spend less time from farm to table, so they maintain much of their nutrition and flavor.

Are seasonal fruits healthier? ›

Yes, eating seasonally is healthier for you. It brings you fresher produce, packed with more nutrients, and offers an unmatched taste variety. You'll enjoy local flavors and nutritional diversity, making every meal an adventure.

Which of the following are benefits of buying in season produce? ›

More Nutrients

One of the primary advantages of eating seasonal fruits and vegetables is their higher nutritional value. When produce is picked at its peak ripeness and consumed shortly after, it retains more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, essential for our overall well-being.

What are the benefits of seasonal demand? ›

The benefits of seasonal demand

Since these demand spikes are annually recurring, businesses can get ahead of them by planning their inventory procurement accordingly. By stocking up in time for the huge increase in orders, businesses can ensure that they have the inventory necessary to meet increased consumer demand.

How does buying seasonal produce support your local community? ›

Benefits of Buying Seasonal and Local Produce

Supporting the Local Economy: Buying local supports farmers and small businesses in your community, helping to sustain local economies and livelihoods. Environmental Impact: Local produce has a smaller carbon footprint since it doesn't require extensive transportation.

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