What changes in dietary requirements occur with seasonal food?
This article will explore the intersection between seasonality and nutrition. Most people don't realize that nutritional requirements can change with changing seasons. Nature provides seasonal foods to meet these changing requirements. The guide will explain how you can use the seasonal foods to improve your diet.
What is the significance of seasonal diet changes?
Maintaining optimal health requires that you understand how seasonal changes in dietary requirements affect your diet. According to a recent study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition our energy consumption tends to rise during winter months because of higher metabolic needs to keep body temperatures up. Vitamin D levels may also drop during the winter months due to less sunlight, so it is important to consume foods rich in vitamin D.
Summer is a time when you need to hydrate more due to the sweating. Consuming fruits and vegetables that are high in water can counteract the effects of this. Moreover, research published in Nutrients indicates that eating seasonally may increase the diversity of the gut microbiota. This is good for digestion and health.
Get Started with Eating Seasonally
Start by learning what local produce is available. Farmers' markets offer a wide variety of fresh seasonal food. Online resources can help you determine which fruits and vegetables in your area are in season.
According to an article published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN), fresh, local food not only helps us meet our seasonal nutritional needs, but it also leaves a smaller environmental footprint than imported foods.
Seasonal foods that meet dietary changes
- Winter squash: High in vitamins A and C this vegetable boosts the immune system when it is colder.
- Oranges are rich in vitamin C and can help fight colds.
- Sweet potatoes: Rich in vitamins C and A, and fiber.
- Spinach Available during springtime, spinach contains iron and calcium - minerals that we usually lack in our diet.
- Strawberries This summer fruit is rich in antioxidants and offers hydration.
- Cucumbers : In summer, the cucumbers contain over 90% of water. This helps to hydrate.
- Apples The fall harvest is full of apples that are rich in fiber, and they can help with digestion.
- A favorite fall food, pumpkins contain beta-carotene that our bodies convert into Vitamin A.
Other Tips
While incorporating seasonal foods into your diet, remember to maintain a balanced intake of macronutrients--carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Also, the cooking method is important. Overcooking can cause significant nutritional loss. You can retain nutrients by lightly sautéing or steaming.
Conclusion
Understanding how your dietary requirements change as the seasons pass and adapting to them can have many health benefits. In addition to meeting these changing needs, seasonal foods taste better when consumed at the peak of their season. You can nourish yourself optimally all year round by embracing the natural cycle.
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