KAWARTHA LAKES-Do you ever get stuck in a food rut? Do you find yourself eating the same things day after day?
Mother Nature provides us with an abundance of nourishing food every season. Since the seasons are always changing, this is a great way to get out of a rut and try something new.
Eating seasonally can also mean eating locally. You will know what is in season by checking out your local farmer’s market and seeing all the plentiful options there.
Here are a few more reasons why eating with the seasons can help you achieve optimal health:
- Reduced Carbon Footprint
Eating seasonally is more environmentally friendly because it reduces the need for transportation of imported goods. We don’t realize how far some of our food has to travel to get to us! When you support local agriculture, your food does not have to travel as far, therefore, reducing your carbon footprint. Since this is something so many of us are concerned with today, eating locally is one small thing you can start doing that makes a big impact in the long run. - Fresh is Best
Fresh food tastes better! Food that is grown locally and in season-think strawberries this time of year-tastes SO good! Cherries and peaches in later summer, apples in the fall, asapargus and rhubarb in the spring. When food is fresh, it has the optimal nutrient content for excellent health, which means we are getting the best quality food, and the proof is in our taste buds. Have you ever eaten a strawberry in the winter? It sure doesn’t taste as good as when it is in peak season. Eating fresh food is not only the healthier option, but the tastier one, too. - Supply and Demand
Want to save money on your grocery bills? Eat seasonally! When a certain fruit or vegetable is in season, it is plentiful and tends to be less expensive that out of season produce. Again, you’ll know what is in season because there will be so much of it at your local farmers markets and you can essentially “follow-the-sales” - Less Pesticide Consumption
Food that has to withstand the test of time and travel is likely to be sprayed with extra pesticides to preserve it. Consuming these pesticides is not ideal for our optimal health. Not to mention, other countries and continents have different food regulations than we do here, which may not necessarily be deemed as ‘safe’ by our food standards. It’s best to play it safe and go with local produce instead.
5. Community
There is no better sense of community than supporting your local farmer. You can develop a relationship with the person who painstakingly grew your food. You can ask questions about their farm and how they grew the produce.
Plus, it’s fun to go to your local market when the sun is high and all your neighbours are out and about. It almost feels like a social event! Meaningful connections also contribute to optimal health, so get out there, enjoy the fresh air and get some nourishing, seasonal food.
Becky Sheehey is a Holistic Health Coach, and a Pilates and Movement Expert with a background in Kinesiology. She lives in Lindsay.
