Reasons to eat in Season

This month the nation celebrated National Farmers Market Week and even though #FarmersMarketWeek is over, every day is a day to remember the ways farmers markets show up for us, and how they are the back bone of local food systems. One way in particular, farmers markets impact us greatly is nutritionally, especially when you focus on eating in season.

Animal Farm at The Rice Village Farmers Market

Why should we Eat in Season?

Pears from Verdegreens and The Rice Village Farmers Market

With summer still in full force, I have definitely been taking full advantage of all the season’s hydrating fruits like watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumber and tomatoes. Not only are they flavorful but they are electrolyte rich and truly lifesaving during quite of hot summer. Coincidence? I think not! The more you learn about how what is in season truly benefits us down to a cellular level, you will hopefully be more inclined to eat this way as much as you can. There is no better way to see what is in season than visiting your local farmers market.

When our diets are in tune with the seasons, we’re getting food that is grown closer to us and therefore has spent less time in transit, which causes veggies and fruits to lose nutrients and flavor. Food that’s harvested at its peak season will inevitably be fresher and tastier. Also, crops harvested in season have gotten more sun, which means more antioxidants. This is great news for our skin, as antioxidants help reduce free radicals and inflammation and can even help protect us from sun damage.

Eating with the seasons saves you money

When we buy what’s in season, we avoid having to fork over extra money for food that’s grown further away or off-season. Shipping produce across the country or the world tacks on extra cost for us. When produce is in season, supply and demand are balanced. Keep an eye out for price fluctuations at the grocery store; costs rise and fall depending on what’s in season.

You’re more likely to get clean, pesticide-free food

Buying locally and seasonally increases your chances of getting organic, pesticide-free goodies. Although it’s become easier to find organic food, smaller farmers often can’t afford the costly process involved in organic certification but are still using natural, clean processes. If you’re unsure or want to learn more, don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with the sellers at your local farmer’s market. Plus, veggies and fruit grown off-season are more likely to require the use of chemicals, pesticides, and preservatives such as wax.

Eating in tune with the seasons is better for the environment

Our favorite foods take a toll on the environment—food production and transport release greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and fossil fuels, which contribute to acid rain, air pollution, and global warming. Eating seasonally—and better yet, locally—helps cut down on environmental impact. Be sure to also keep an eye out for minimal packaging; the less packaging a food has, the less energy and chemicals expended and the less waste produced.

Seasonal eating expands your horizons

When we focus on summer’s shishito peppers, for instance, rather than clinging onto last season’s radishes, we get the chance to explore new flavors and experiment with new recipes. A diverse diet usually means a balanced diet, and a balanced diet means smoother, clearer skin, more energy, and a faster metabolism.

Our bodies crave seasonal change

The changing seasons and our subsequent changing diets are basically nature’s way of adjusting our bodies for the coming shift. In the spring, for instance, leafy greens like spinach help us detox and alkalize after a heavier winter diet; in summer, we naturally replenish lost fluids and cool down with cucumbers, melons, and so on.

Enjoying summer’s hydrating seasonal foods is the perfect way to ring in this beautiful time of year. Eating seasonally and locally gets us naturally in tune with the calendar, supports local farmers, and makes for healthier, more delicious meals—not only helping our bodies and skin, but also the world around us.