Seasonal Changes in Diet and Groceries
We are all fortunate that there is so much variety available to us here in North America when it comes to the foods we eat. Part of that advantage may be a disadvantage too. There’s plenty for us to choose to eat that is not good for us, in the same we can also choose to eat better. Most people don’t get the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables they should, and the produce available at the grocery store may not have same nutritional value it used to. Much of that has to do with industrial agriculture and soil depletion, but eating seasonal vegetables is a good place to start in countering those shortcomings.
Seasonal vegetables are more likely to be grown locally by farmers who don’t have the same scale of production as industrial farms. This means better soil, and the nutrient value in these vegetables is higher as a result. Low-carb vegetables are among the ones that are best grown this way, and there’s more demand for them these days with the way they can be an effective part of a ketogenic diet. That’s one way that people are looking at the way they eat as it relates to their ability to maintain a health body weight.
There are all sorts of reasons why people should expand their horizons, rather than just shopping with established habits it might be best to ask what veggies are in season and then see if they can be purchased from a local farmer’s market. Not only will you likely pay less for seasonal vegetables and fruits there, but there may be much more in terms of nutritional value AND the taste being better.
Fall Flavors
The summer of 2021 is now behind us and there are seasonal vegetables known to be ideal choices for each of the four seasons, and in fall some of the best ones are beets and squashes. Beets are excellent for health because of their complex nutritional value, including betaine – a phytochemical compound that lowers homocysteine levels in the blood to prevent vascular diseases and health concerns like stroke and heart disease. Incorporating beets into meals is as good a choice as any when it comes to eating more seasonal vegetables.
Any farmer’s market you go to when leaves are falling to the ground is going to have butternut squash. It is among the best seasonal vegetables at this time of the year too, and one of the biggest things it has going for it is that it is a high-carbohydrate food but also one that has a low glycemic index. So, while it certainly won’t be a part of anyone’s keto diet at this time of the year it’s a really good choice for people who’d like a vegetable that is loaded to provide energy but still won’t push blood sugar too high.
Add the fact butternut squash is delicious with a little bit of butter (not margarine!) and black pepper and it really is among the seasonal vegetables you should try to find this fall. And if it’s been grown locally – all the better! There are all sorts of vegetarian recipes that you might be able to incorporate these vegetables into.
Super for Soups
Many people will agree that a hearty soup tastes best and is most satisfying as dinner on a chilly evening. Well, there’s going to be plenty of those on the horizon now that we’re into October around here and it’s probably much the same forecast where you are too. Butternut squash is wonderful in soups, and many other fall seasonal vegetables are too. Cauliflower and eggplant are worthy of a nod here too, and sauteed kale as a side dish is something that might surprise you. Zucchini is great in soups too, and it is also true that Swiss chard can be an uncommon but fittingly nutritious pizza topping.
We shouldn’t skip fruit in our discussion here either, even if they are not fall vegetables. A whole lot of people may still be picking and preserving apples this late in September depending on where you live, but how about persimmons? Even though they are not as well know they might be the perfect poster fruit for fall. That’s because they are a resistant starch, meaning the glucose you get from them passes through your gut and is not stored as fat. If you’re a diabetic or person with blood sugar concerns of any type persimmons are an excellent choice and of course they are plenty tasty too.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The above information is intended to increase awareness of health information and does not suggest treatment or diagnosis. This information is not a substitute for individual medical attention and should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. See your health care professional for medical advice and treatment.
