The globalised food market enables us to buy food from around the world at any time of year. Whilst this might be considered convenient by some, for others, we are inadvertently creating a whole host of health and environmental problems in the process. How can this be avoided? Eating seasonally is a great place to start. Today I list my top 6 reasons to season! 

#1 PRICE POINT
Ever noticed strawberries or mangoes get ridiculously expensive as they move out of season? That is because they are limited in supply. Eating seasonally is likely to save you money because of an abundant supply of seasonal produce will help keep the costs competitive (especially when we are talking about organic produce).  

#2 SUPERIOR TASTE
Freshly picked produce is full of flavour that is hard to replicate in a green house or artificial growing environment. Don’t believe me? Head to your nearest farmer’s market and start sampling, you won’t be disappointed. 

#3 INCREASED NUTRITION
Seasonal foods are picked at the peak of freshness and offer higher nutritional content than out of season unripe fruits and vegetables.

#4 ADDED VARIETY
Ever considered the same 3 veg you eat at dinner time each night weren’t meant to be available all year round? Eating the same fruits and vegetables day in and day out is one way to build an intolerance to these foods. By eating seasonally, you will avoid over-consumption of any one type of fruit or vegetable. In addition, eating seasonally also forces us out of our comfort zone and into new foods! Eating a diverse selection of fruits and vegetables means we are also eating a diverse source of vitamins and minerals. 

#5 NATURALLY DETOXIFYING 
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), spring is associated with the liver, one of the body’s primary detoxification organs. Conveniently, spring is also the time when dandelion and other bitter greens are fresh and available; these bitter greens support the liver and its function. Eating seasonally is another way of living ‘just the way nature intended’. 

#6 BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Eating with the seasons and purchasing local foods helps to protect our planet because it reduces the number of miles your food has to travel before it reaches your plate. This helps cut back on the amount of fuel used which also reduces pollution. 

In addition, transporting produce sometimes requires irradiation (zapping the produce with a burst of radiation to kill germs) and preservatives (such as wax) to protect the produce during the trip. By purchasing locally grown and seasonal foods, you can avoid all of these measures and help protect the environment as well as the food you consume. 

Stuck on how to eat seasonally and what fruits and vegetables are available when? My seasonal cookbooks are designed around the abundance of fresh fruits available throughout the year. The winter version is available for only $7.95 by clicking here.