Seasonal Eating: Autumn
What do you eat to support your body as the temperatures get cooler?
As the leaves turn, the air crisps, and we break out the heavier jackets, scarves, and boots, we realize fall is upon us. Nourishing your body with warming, building foods can help you adapt to the cooler temperatures and decreased sunlight.
Eating organic, locally grown produce that is in season is the very best way to support your health. Do you know what foods produce fruit in the fall months?
The following foods have the highest nutrient value in Autumn:
Apples, Arugula, Asian Pears, Beans, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Fennel, Green Tomatoes, Hard- Shelled Squashes, (Acorn Squash, Butternut, Pumpkins) Pears, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Radicchio, Spinach, Sweet Peppers, Sweet Potatoes, Turnips and other root vegetables.
Do you know how to prepare these foods? Here are some meal ideas:
- Arugula salad with green apples, pomegranates, walnuts and dressed with a Dijon balsamic vinaigrette. Top with feta or goat cheese if you are not intolerant to dairy. (dairy must be organic, preferably raw).
- Steamed broccoli and Brussels sprouts paired with sautéed onion, garlic, ginger, tempeh, and red pepper. Serve with mushroom brown rice.
- Butternut apple soup with ginger and cinnamon. Pairs well with a spinach salad.
- Baked or steamed sweet potatoes with rosemary. Serve with sautéed spinach and tempeh, black beans, or chicken.
One of the best things about eating produce that is in season is that you can get it local and the foods are actually cheaper than produce that is not in season (The higher prices are generally because it has to be grown elsewhere and transported to your grocery store, which is another downside to buying produce out of season – it’s older and therefore less nutritious!)
What are you going to eat to nourish your body and prepare it for winter?
Tags: Fall, Seasonal eating, Squash