In today’s supermarket, it’s normal to see the same produce available year-round. However, that doesn’t mean the quality always remains the same. Eating seasonally means you are simply taking advantage of the harvest schedule and enjoying fully mature produce at the peak of its growing season. Seasonal eating can also help encourage you to eat more fruits and vegetables daily.
The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 2 cups of fruit and 2 ½ cups of vegetables daily.
Most adults don’t get the daily nutrition they need, but fortunately, one of the best parts of summer is the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. This month, consider buying the following in-season products:
- Berries (e.g., blackberries, blueberries, raspberries and strawberries)
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Tomatoes
While at the grocery store or farmers market this summer, shop for seasonal produce and reap the following benefits:
- Fresher food—Seasonal produce likely is recently picked and hasn’t been sitting on a truck or in a warehouse. It also retains its nutritional value since some antioxidants, such as vitamin C and folate, rapidly decline when stored.
- Better taste—In-season produce tastes fresher, sweeter and perfectly ripe. If it’s tasty, you’ll likely eat more. That’s a healthy win-win.
- Lower costs—When produce is in season, farmers harvest more crops. The increased supply may mean lower prices for you.
- Reduced carbon footprint—Out-of-season produce is typically imported or takes more energy to grow due to the need for greenhouses.
The next time you’re grocery shopping, consider choosing seasonally fresh options to give your body a nutritional boost and impress your palate.
By Zywave, Inc.