We all know how critical it is for each of us to eat.
Why is it, then, that’s it’s so hard to figure out exactly what we should be eating?
Why does it need to be so difficult?
The most amazing thing about our current society is that we can now get just about anything any time and any where we want.
This means that we can get strawberries, blueberries and raspberries in the middle of winter. This means that we can get mangoes and pineapples in New York City in March.
I don’t know about you, but I haven’t seen any mango trees in Times Square in March, let alone in the heat of the summer!
My point is, just because we can get whatever we want, whenever we want it doesn’t mean that it’s always a good thing.
Let’s address just one way that you can eat better, right away.
Eat Seasonally when possible.
My favorite way of deciding what to pick up when it comes to fruits and vegetables is to see what is on sale at the market or what they have a lot of.
Usually the produce that is in season will be the most abundant. Good for you, bad for the Market.
They need to get rid of it before it turns.
Take advantage of it!
What does this mean for you?
This means the potential to get better produce with a higher quality of nutrients at a lower price point is optimal.
So, less expensive food, higher quality, fresher usually, more nutrients and you don’t have to worry where your produce came from?
Sounds like a WIN-WIN situation to me!
One practical example:
If we look at the month of June going into the summertime mode of eating as an example, this is what you would find in season:
Fruits:
- apples
- apricots
- blueberries
- cantaloupe
- cherries
- coconuts
- cranberries
- grapes
- guava
- mangoes
- melons
- pears
- persimmons
- pineapples
- plums
- pomegranates
- raspberries
- strawberries
Vegetables:
- artichokes
- asparagus
- beet greens
- bell peppers
- bitter melon
- broccoli
- cabbage
- cauliflower
- celery
- cilantro
- cucumbers
- dandelions
- fennel
- jicama
- kale
- lettuce
- okra
- snow peas
- acorn squash
- watercress
- zucchini
I’m taking this information from one of my personal favorite books on seasonal eating.
“The 3-Season Diet” by John Douillard
Dr. Douillard also includes the best grains, legume, nuts and seeds, dairy, meat and fish, oils, sweeteners, condiments, beverages, herb teas and spices for each of the seasons.
So the next time you ask, what can I eat? You’ll know that you have plenty of options!
